What is the FFA and what do the letters F-F-A stand for? The FFA is a national organization dedicated to preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture. Local, state and national activities and award programs provide opportunities to apply knowledge and skills acquired through agriculture education. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the Ohio FFA Association had 29,495 members in 333 chapters.
FFA faces a continuing challenge from the public and the news media in answering the questions, “What do the letters ‘FFA’ stand for?” and “What is FFA?” With input from the current and past national officers, the Marketing and Communication Services Team developed answers to these questions, and the text was approved at the January board of directors meeting. When providing information to the general public and media in news releases, brochures, website postings or in general conversation, the following language is suggested to position the organization and its proper name.
FFA is a dynamic youth organization within Agricultural Education that changes lives and prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. Although FFA was created in 1928 as Future Farmers of America, the name was changed in 1988 to the National FFA Organization to represent the growing diversity of agriculture. Today, more than half a million student members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to over 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industry. Student success remains the primary mission of FFA.
The letters FFA stand for Future Farmers of America; however, the official name of the organization was changed in 1988 to the National FFA Organization. Over the past 95 years, the FFA and agricultural education have grown to encompass all aspects of agriculture, from production farming, agribusiness and forestry to biotechnology, marketing and food processing.