About FFA
FFA Facts
So you think you know about today's FFA? Here are some facts we think may surprise you... Membership • Today, there are 506,199 FFA members, aged 12-21, in 7,429 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. • 42% of FFA members are female; women hold more than 47% of state leadership positions. • 79% of FFA membership is Caucasian, 13% is Hispanic, 4% is African-American and 3% is Native American. • 89% of FFA members are in grades 9-12, 7% are in grades 7-8 and 4% are high school graduates. • 66% of FFA members live in rural/farm areas, 9% live in urban and suburban areas and 25% live in small towns. • FFA chapters are in 16 of the 20 largest U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and Philadelphia. • The 2009 National FFA Convention was host to more than 54,000 FFA members, advisors and supporters. Education • More than 10,000 agriculture teachers deliver an innovative, cutting-edge and integrated curriculum to students. • 23% of agriculture teachers have five or fewer years of teaching experience. • The shortage of qualified agriculture teachers is the greatest challenge facing FFA and agricultural education.
National FFA
What is FFA?
FFA is a dynamic youth organization that is a part of agricultural education programs at middle and high schools. Founded as the Future Farmers of America, the name was changed in 1988 to reflect the growing diversity of agriculture. Today, student members are engaged in a wide range of curriculum and FFA activities, leading to over 300 career opportunities in agriculture. FFA is structured on three levels: local, state and national. The National FFA Organization is led by six student national officers.
FFA & Agricultural Education
FFA members are part of a total agricultural education program that connects students to exciting careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. FFA is only one of the three essential components of this system, all of which work together to provide members with leadership, academic and career experiences essential for success.
