Day 1: National FFA Center by Abby

 

Our very first stop on the 2023 Summer Ag-tour was the National FFA Center. We flew into Indianapolis, Indiana and our first stop was only a half hour from the airport. However, the National FFA Center wasn’t always in Indiana, it was previously located in Virginia before it moved locations.

As you walk up to the building you are greeted with a nice brick path, some of the bricks are engraved with people who have generously donated to the National FFA. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have their own brick, which was purchased in their honor by a former student. We were able to find it!

Inside the building it is showcased with much of the important history surrounding FFA. There were many important dates listed such as when FFA was founded (1928), when NFA (New Farmers of America founded in 1935, which was basically FFA for the African American community when segregation was still prevalent), the merging of FFA and NFA after segregation ended to create the National FFA Organization (1965), when women were allowed to join FFA (1969), and many other important firsts that this organization has seen over the years. There were many interesting facts like there is a National FFA band and chorus, as well as women being able to compete in a Sweetheart competition (which was an event prior to women being allowed to join FFA) in which they would win a white corduroy jacket, instead of the typical blue.

Becoming a Chapter Sweetheart was an event prior to women being allowed to join FFA.

 

Speaking of jackets, there were many jackets that were featured at the center, from the first FFA jacket, to the many versions in between today’s version.

 

  

There was also a whole wall of pictures that lined the National Officer teams over the years, spanning from 1928 until the current officer team! The current officer team’s picture is featured in color, and once they retire their positions, their photo is replaced in black and white. It was so fascinating seeing all the previous teams and Mrs. Hamilton even pointed out some of her previous students she taught and others from Florida that ended up becoming a National FFA Officer.

 

    

 

We were fortunate enough to receive a tour and we are so grateful to learn more about the organization that has impacted not only our lives, but everyone’s lives, even people who aren’t in FFA.