How Well Do You Know the FFA?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
How Well Do You Know the FFA?
Image: Jasmin Merdan / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

With over 600,000 members across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and The U.S. Virgin Islands, the National Future Farmers of America has been a nationally recognized organization since 1928. With famous members like Tim McGraw, John Mellencamp, and Jimmy Carter, it's no wonder it has been a long-standing favorite with students. With such a long history, how much do you really know about it, though? 

Formed in Kansas City and modeled after the Future Farmers of Virginia, the National FFA has grown in size over the years. Despite all the changes, nothing has changed about the organization's official dress. Although many other things like the FFA magazine and the revised FFA creed have changed, the foundations of the group and the desire to continue agricultural education has stayed steady. 

Throughout this quiz, you'll get the chance to prove to us that you know all there is to know about the National Future Farmers of America. Whether you are a greenhand or an alumni or not a member of the FFA at all, this quiz should challenge you in ways you might have to research. Do you know the FFA as well as you think you do, or will we send you back to farming school? 

How many symbols are on the FFA emblem?
Two
Four
Three
Five
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On the FFA emblem, there are five symbols: the eagle, the owl, an ear of corn, a red rising sun and a plow. Each of the symbols have a different meaning or association.

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What are the FFA's official colors?
Blue and gold
Blue and red
Red and white
Orange and pink
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The official colors of the FFA are blue and gold. Adopted in 1929, blue is said to represent the blue in the American flag while the gold is reflective of cornfields at harvest time.

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What does the eagle on the FFA emblem represent?
Peace
Freedom
Instincts
Patriotism
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There are five total symbols on the FFA emblem: the eagle, the owl, an ear of corn, a red rising sun, and a plow. The eagle is said to serve as a reminder of America's freedom.

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What year were girls allowed to join the FFA?
1933
1954
1928
1969
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the FFA was originally formed in 1928, girls were not allowed to become members until 1969. These days, women make up nearly half of FFA memberships and hold 50% of leadership positions.

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What famous song is the FFA's salute?
The Star-Spangled Banner
Whip It by Devo
America the Beautiful
American Pie by Don McLean
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After forming in 1928, the FFA began to choose its motto, salute, and official emblems in 1929. The national anthem was chosen to be the FFA's salute.

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What year was the FFA jacket declared official dress?
1933
1972
1969
1955
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The blue corduroy jacket was adopted as the official uniform of the FFA in 1933. After emblems are attached, the blue jacket is later embroidered with gold thread for personalization.

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Where did the FFA start?
Scottsdale, Arizona
Kansas City, Missouri
New York, New York
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1928, the National Future Farmers of America was formed in Kansas City, Missouri. The FFA's headquarters are currently located in Washington, D.C.

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How many FFA jackets are manufactured every year?
70,000
1,000
150
24,000
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Every year, at least 70,000 new FFA jackets are created: 50,000 are imported; 20,000 are made domestically. Each jacket costs around $50, and the price has remained the same for over 20 years.

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Which state boasts the most FFA members?
Kansas
Ohio
Texas
Oklahoma
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As well as operating in all 50 states, the FFA also has chapters in Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands. The state with the most FFA members is Texas.

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What does the ear of corn symbolize on the FFA emblem?
Unity
Freedom
Equality
Education
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Because every state can grow corn, the ear of corn on the FFA emblem symbolizes unity. The ear of corn rests at the bottom of the FFA emblem and serves as the foundation.

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How much did a FFA membership cost in 1928?
10 cents per year
$7 per year
$12 per year
$99 per year
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1928, a FFA membership would have cost you approximately 10 cents per year. These days, it's still a bargain at $7 every 12 months.

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What year were African American students allowed to be in the FFA?
1950
1933
1965
1941
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Prior to 1965, African American students were only allowed to be a member of the New Farmers of America. Thanks to the Civil Rights movement, the New Farmers of America merged with the FFA.

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Which former US president was once a member of the FFA?
Abraham Lincoln
Jimmy Carter
Theodore Roosevelt
Richard Nixon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In addition to several celebrity members including Taylor Swift, former president Jimmy Carter was also a member. Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States.

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How many chapters of the FFA are there?
45,143
50
8,630
102
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Across the nation, the FFA operates 8,630 chapters including chapters Puerto Rico and The Virgin Islands. To date, the FFA boasts 669,989 members throughout its organization.

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What is the FFA's motto?
Farm, freedom, and life.
No farms, no food.
Carpe Diem
Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, living to serve.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since its beginning in 1928, the FFA's motto has been "Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve." The National FFA's mission statement is very similar.

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How many levels are in the FFA's structure?
Three
Ten
One
Eight
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The FFA's organization structure consists of three levels: local, state and national. The local level is mostly comprised of students instructed by local agricultural educators.

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What was the first FFA magazine called?
Farmer Magazine
Future Crop Magazine
National Future Farmer Magazine
National Farmer Magazine
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The FFA's magazine was called the National Future Farmer Magazine, and it was first published in 1952. These days, it's called FFA New Horizons.

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Which of the emblem's five symbols represents labor?
Plow
Corn
Eagle
Rising sun
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Amongst the five symbols on the FFA emblem, you will find a plow. The plow is said to represent labor and tillage of the soil.

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How many types of FFA membership are there?
Two
Eight
Three
Four
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

FFA memberships operate on a four-tiered level. They are: active, honorary, alumni and collegiate. Those with the longest membership time serve at the higher levels.

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Can anyone wear an FFA jacket?
You can let your sweetheart borrow it.
Parents of members can wear it.
Only members can wear the jacket.
Anyone can wear an FFA jacket.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wearing an FFA jacket is a symbol of unity and pride. The FFA has strict restrictions about only members being allowed to wear the coveted jacket.

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What year did the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education act pass?
1917
1987
1997
1966
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The passage of the Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act in 1917 plowed the way for organizations like the FFA to move forward. The act allowed federal funding to be given to schools for vocational education.

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What does MFE stand for in the FFA?
Major Farming Enterprise
Made for Excellence
Making Farmers Excel
Many Fields Everywhere
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you were cruising through FFA literature and saw the letters MFE, they are an abbreviation for a type of conference called the Made for Excellence conference.

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Who is responsible for creating the FFA creed?
E.M. Tiffany
Gerald Ford
Jimmy Carter
George Washington
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

E.M. Tiffany, educator at the University of Madison, wrote the original FFA creed before it was adopted at the third convention. The most recent revision took place a few years ago at the 63rd convention.

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Which state's organization served as the model for the FFA?
Virginia
Texas
Oregon
New Jersey
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Founded in 1925, the Future Farmers of Virginia served as the model for the National FFA. It was an all-boys organization that served their communities.

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What is the name of the first national FFA female president?
Jane Emerly
Julie Marcon
Jan Eberly
Jodie Enbright
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1982, Jan Eberly became the FFA's first national female president. These days, females make up almost 50% of leadership position within the FFA.

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What year did the FFA nominate its first African American president?
1965
1987
1976
1994
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For the first time in FFA history, Corey Flournoy became the first National FFA president in 1994. He was also the first urban student leader.

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Which words are on the FFA emblem?
Agricultural Education
Economic Growth
Farms Forever
Prideful Knowledge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Along with the five symbols found on the FFA emblem, there are also two words. At the top of the emblem, you will find the word agricultural. At the bottom, you will find education.

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What is the first degree you receive as an FFA member?
Local
Greenhand
Presidential
Novice
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first degree any FFA member will receive is that of Greenhand. Subsequent degrees include: Chapter, State and American.

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What does the emblem's owl represent?
Flight and fancy
Knowledge and wisdom
Intelligence and strategy
Brains and brawn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The owl symbol on the FFA emblem represents knowledge and wisdom. The owl is positioned in the center of the emblem and is stationed by the advisor.

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Who was the first national FFA president?
Jan Eberly
Leslie Applegate
George Washington
Jimmy Carter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The very first national FFA president was Leslie Applegate. Mr. Applegate was an educator from New Jersey that brought a lot of growth to the organization.

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What is the highest degree you can earn as an FFA member?
American
Local
Greenhand
State
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The highest possible award an FFA member can earn is American. It is the highest of the four levels of membership that include: Greenhand, Chapter, State and American.

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When did the FFA magazine last change its name?
1989
1928
1933
1952
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1952, the FFA published its first magazine - National Future Farmers magazine. However, the name was changed to FFA New Horizons in 1989.

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When was the first FFA band established?
2001
1998
1989
1947
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first FFA band was formed in 1947 under the direction of Henry S. Brunner. The first FFA choir was established in 1948.

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Who designed the FFA jacket?
Christian Dior
Dr. Gus Lintner
Versacci
It was a student design.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The FFA jacket was designed by an Ohioan named Dr. Gus Lintner. The jacket's design has not changed since Lintner's original design that was adopted as official dress in 1933.

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Which US president was the first to address the National FFA convention?
Jimmy Carter
Howard Taft
Dwight D. Eisenhower
George W. Bush
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1953, Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first US president to address the National FFA convention. The second president to address the convention was Gerald Ford in 1974.

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