ERIC EJ1122267: The History of Future Farmer Organizations around the World

2013·0.47 MB·English

by  ERIC

©Journal of Agricultural Education
Volume 54, Number 1, pp. 60 - 71
DOI: 10.5032/jae.2013.01060

The History of Future Farmer Organizations Around
the World

James J. Connors
University of Idaho

The establishment of the Future Farmers of America in 1928 and its subsequent growth in size and scope
was noticed around the world. Agricultural education professionals from dozens of other countries
wanted to know about the organization and how it helped motivate young rural boys to study vocational
agriculture and choose agriculture as a career field. Over the course of several decades, many countries
started their own “future farmer” organizations. The most successful was the Future Farmers of Japan,
which is a large and vibrant organization to this day. As the FFA grew, so did its involvement in
international activities. The FFA has worked with many other countries to offer exchange programs,
study tours, and travel seminars for state FFA officers, award winners, and national FFA officer
teams. The FFA has also offered Work Experience Abroad, World Experience in Agriculture, and the
World AgriScience Studies Programs. This historical research study investigated future farmers’
organizations in other countries, the history of FFA international activities, and study tours and travel
seminars for award winners and FFA officers.

Keywords: Future Farmers of America, International, History

The Future Farmers of America organization and motivate youth to study agricultural
has been involved in international activities education and enter the field of agriculture.
since it was established in 1928 (Tenney, 1977). Over the period of several decades,
Even before the FFA was founded, American numerous other countries established “Future
agricultural education professionals were Farmer” organizations for their youth. In many
traveling to remote corners of the world to offer countries the name “Future Farmers of...” was
advice and recommendations on agricultural used. In other countries, different names were
education and youth development to other used for youth agricultural education clubs.
countries (Allen, 1939; Dickinson, 1947). As the Regardless of the final name chosen, similar
Future Farmers of America grew in size and symbols, rituals, skill development events, and
scope, agricultural educators from around the leadership development activities were included
world took notice of the impact the organization in these organizations. This study investigated
was having with rural agricultural youth in the the Future Farmers of America’s long history in
United States. international agricultural education activities,
Government officials, agricultural educators, including the establishment of Future Farmers’
and international development organizations clubs in other countries around the world.
began contacting the Future Farmers of America
to find out details about FFA programs, Theoretical Framework
activities, and events. So many countries were
contacting the FFA that the organization Agricultural education professionals from
developed a brochure titled “The Future Farmers the United States have been working in other
of America: What it is, What it does” (Future countries for decades. Sherman Dickinson was
Farmers of America, n.d.) that was printed in the Chief of Party in the Brazil Cooperative
English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. Agricultural Program in the late 1940s. Writing
Educators around the world were realizing how in The Agricultural Education Magazine,
future farmers’ clubs could be used to organize Dickinson (1947) stated,
60
Connors The History of Future…
Our program in agricultural education is international development. Finley and Price
attempting to cooperate with the (1994) wrote that “rural young people is another
Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture in group that had received too little attention in
developing plans whereby the agricultural extension programs. Millions of
agricultural situation may be improved. young people living in rural areas are a
It has been agreed that this may be best significant and untapped resource” (p. 238). The
accomplished by means of increased authors went on to write that, “Rural youth has a
educational opportunities for rural widespread need for practical training in
peoples, emphasizing training in agriculture...special efforts are needed in
practical agriculture (p. 237). agricultural education, extension education, and
The Future Farmers of America wasn’t the training to include a higher proportion of rural
only organization of interest for other countries. young women” (p. 238).
The 4-H youth clubs were also involved When the Soviet Union occupied the Baltic
internationally since their development in the State of Lithuania in 1940, they closed the long
early 1900s. Smith and Kirkpatrick (1990) established Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture
reported that “Long before the International and its affiliate Lithuanian Young Farmers
Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE) program was Circles Union. The Lithuanian Chamber of
initiated in 1948, the 4-H movement in America Agriculture was originally founded in 1926
had won the interest and respect of several (Lithuanian Chamber of Agriculture, n.d.). The
foreign nations” (p. 150). The authors also mission of the LCA is to be the main supporter
reported that, “As early as the 1920s and 1930s, of the viability of rural society and raise a
Canada, England and a few other countries set strong, motivated and independent person, able
out to develop similar youth groups” (p. 150). to develop a competitive agriculture and to
Over the next decades, 4-H clubs were maintain safe and attractive living environment.
established around the world. Smith and According to Edwards, Thuemmel, and
Kirkpatrick wrote that, Kisieliene (2000), “In February 1989...a
By the late 1940s, South Korea had conference of young farmers was held at which
established a 4-H type program with time it was decided to ‘restore’ Young Farmers’
some 3,729 clubs and 142,500 members. Circles in Lithuania” (p. 18)
And in 1949, Austria launched a Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s,
program similar to 4-H as part of the there was a strong emphasis on incorporating
Marshall Plan. By 1953, 23 countries in international agriculture concepts into secondary
Asia, Europe and Latin America had 4- agricultural education curricula in the United
H type clubs. (p. 150). States. In 1989, Martin wrote about the global
Reck (1951) described the beginning of 4-H perspective for agricultural education. He
clubs in Denmark by stating, “Denmark had suggested that agriculture students should get
been working with rural young people since involved in the Work Experience Abroad
1913, when agricultural societies organized farm program, teachers should be involved in
boys into groups to receive technical travel/work experience overseas, and that
instruction” (p. 221). Denmark made agriculture teachers should develop an exchange
arrangements to host a USDA extension system with a school in another country.
specialist to assist in establishing 4-H clubs. In another article, Martin (1993) wrote a
Meetings were held throughout 1923-24 and rationale for internationalizing agricultural
“club work actively started in the spring of education. His selected activities to
1924" (p. 221). Reck (1951) reported that, internationalize agricultural education programs
“They adopted the four-leaf clover and the four included a recommendation that FFA should
H’s, the letters in this case standing for Hoved, “help establish/enhance youth organizations in
Hjerte, Haand, and Helbred, the Danish words other countries” (p. 21). He also suggested that
for head, heart, hand and health” (p. 221). the FFA develop youth leadership camps in
The issue of educating rural youth in other countries around the world. Martin
developing countries is one that is not new in concluded by stating, “There is a tremendous
Journal of Agricultural Education 61 Volume 54, Number 1, 2013
Connors The History of Future…
international frontier waiting for development of 1. Document the interest in, and
programs modeled after agricultural establishment of, future farmers’ youth
education/FFA as we know it in the U.S.A.” (p. organizations in other countries.
22). 2. Describe the history of international
Writing about the need for rural youth activities within the National FFA
development around the world, Lindley (1989) Organization.
stated, “Youth activities and competitions at the 3. Describe the history of the international
national, regional, and international level are travel seminars for National FFA
almost non-existent in the developing countries. Officers, state FFA officers, and
Support and promotion of international youth national award winners.
exchanges among developing countries would
provide opportunities for leadership Methods
development for rural youth” (p. 13)
Lindley gave several examples of youth This study was a historical research
components in rural development programs investigation. McDowell (2002) stated that,
including: “Historians examine the past so that we may
have a better understanding of the content of
The organization and guidance of rural past events and the context in which they took
youth for leadership development, skill place” (p. 4). I utilized historical research
training, service and production methods to address the purpose and objectives of
purposes. This includes the formation the study. Borg and Gall (1983) wrote that,
of youth clubs such as 4-H in the USA, “Historical research involves the systematic
Tani Tasuna (future farmers’ groups) in search for documents and other sources that
Indonesia, Anak Bukid (farm youth contain facts relating to the historian’s questions
clubs) in the Philippines, rural youth about the past” (p. 800). Research was
clubs in South Korea, 4-S in Swaziland, conducted at the National FFA Archives at
4-K in Kenya through the agricultural Indiana University ~ Purdue University,
extension services.” (p. 14) Indianapolis, at land-grant university libraries,
Agricultural education professionals in the and departments of agricultural education
United States, have been involved in libraries. Whenever possible, primary sources
international activities for almost a century. were utilized. Primary sources included
They have worked in distant countries to magazine articles, journal articles, meeting
develop their agricultural education systems. notes, and personal communications in the form
They have worked to infuse leadership of original source letters available at the
development activities for rural youth in poor, National FFA Archives. Secondary sources of
developing countries, and they have worked to information included books, convention
incorporate international agricultural concepts proceedings, and periodical articles (Ary,
into domestic agricultural education curricula. Jacobs, Razavieh, & Sorensen, 2006).
The establishment of future farmers’ clubs in In every case, I exposed the historical
other countries is just one way that American documents to external and internal criticism to
agricultural education has worked to improve determine their value in addressing the
agricultural education and youth leadership objectives of the study. I examined each
development around the world. document thoroughly to ascertain if it was
authentic and authored by the individual whose
Purpose and Objectives name appeared on the document. I then
examined the content of the document to
The purpose of this historical research study establish internal criticism. I evaluated the
was to document the history of future farmers’ document to determine the worth of the evidence
organizations around the world. Specific and whether it provided a true report of the
objectives which directed the study included: historical event. I also attempted to triangulate
information from several sources, both personal
Journal of Agricultural Education 62 Volume 54, Number 1, 2013
Connors The History of Future…
notes, minutes, and secondary reports of Some pioneering work was done in
activities. many countries, including Albania,
One limitation of this study was my inability Greece, Egypt, India, Korea, Thailand,
to determine the current status of future farmers’ Taiwan, Japan, Philippines, South Viet
youth organizations in other countries. This Nam, Honduras, Canada, South
objective, which would provide valuable Australia, Peru, Columbia, Brazil, and
information, was unfortunately outside the scope Mexico. (p. 119)
of this study.
The National FFA Archives contains
Results hundreds of letters from government officials,
educational professionals, and community
Shortly after the FFA was organized, organizations from around the world requesting
agricultural educators, FFA advisors, and information about the FFA. The following is a
members began traveling the world to promote sample of some of the countries from which
youth development through Future Farmers’ letters were received:
clubs. In a summary report on International
Programs (Tenney, 1977), it was written that,

Bavaria (Germany) France Malaya
Brazil Germany Morocco
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) India Philippines
Cyprus Ireland Sweden
Denmark Israel Trinidad~Tobago
Uruguay
Figure 1. Countries from which request letters were received

Future Farmers of Greece along four lines - recreation, agriculture, cultural
improvement and health sanitation” (p. 190).
In 1935, Adams reported that the Future At the 11th Annual National FFA
Farmers of Greece was currently being Convention in October 1938, Dr. H. B. Allen
organized in the Mediterranean country. The (1939), Director of Education for the Near East
American Near East Foundation was working Foundation, delivered an address titled “Future
with the Greek government to develop a youth Farmers in Other Lands.” Allen stated, “I bring
organization. Adams wrote that, you greetings and best wishes from the Future
Consequently, the first ‘Future Farmers Farmers of Greece, the Future Farmers of
of Greece,’ organization had its Bulgaria, and the Progressive Farmers of
beginning. A national chapter was Albania” (p. 236). Allen expressed his thanks to
written up by the supervisors of the Near the Future Farmers when he stated, “In
East Foundation work, and presented to developing your fine organization during the
the Greek courts for approval in past 11 years, you, and others before you, have
accordance with Greek law. By the end built much better than you knew; the influence
of 1933, two chapters had been of your high ideals and sound principles is much
organized and some experience gained wider than you realize” (p. 236).
in developing rounded out long-time
programs of work. (p. 190) Future Farmers of Japan
Adams reported, “In 1934, five new clubs
were organized making a total of seven chapters, Immediately following World War II,
with an enrollment of 140 boys” (p. 190). The America was actively involved with rebuilding
FFG chapters “organized its yearly programs the country of Japan. Efforts were being made
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Connors The History of Future…
to improve the educational institutions across agriculture. Its three goals of leadership, social
Japan. In order to improve agricultural character, and scientific character have provided
education programs, the Future Farmers of Japan a focus for promoting agricultural education” (p.
was created in 1950. Tenney (1977) stated, 11).
George Lewis, former national president
of the FFA, made a report at the 1951 Future Farmers of Canada
FFA convention on his visit with the
Future Farmers of Japan. It was Immediately following World War II,
reported that Ivan Nelson, a former agricultural education was expanding rapidly in
teacher of vocational agriculture Canada as in the United States. The Future
attached to General MacArthur’s staff in Farmers of Canada organization was created in
the Army of Occupation, had been January 1947. One of the first chapters of the
influential in the development of the FFC was the Creston Valley chapter from
Future Farmers of Japan. (p. 119 & Creston, British Columbia. The National FFA
120). Archives contains copies of the FFC Creed and
Meaders (1985) reported that the FFJ, Bylaws. Figure 2 below contains the Creed of
“...continues as a strong youth organization for the Future Farmers of Canada.
boys and girls who are students of vocational

Creed of the
Future Farmers of Canada

I believe in the future of farming and that life on a farm is both honorable and satisfying.

I believe that success in farming comes through a scientific attitude, efficiency, hard work and
determination.

I believe in being a good citizen...honest and fair in all my dealings.

I believe in accepting responsibilities and doing my part in my home, school and community.

I believe that serving my country, helping others, and doing my best in my vocation will lead to a
happier, fuller life.

Figure 2. Creed of the Future Farmers of Canada

The Future Farmers of Canada adopted a Canadian Ambassador to the United States was a
crest as its emblem. The crest consisted of a speaker at the convention.
tree, a plow, a maple leaf, and the sun. The tree
symbolized growth, the plow labour in Future Farmers in Southeast Asia and the
agriculture, the maple leaf represented Canadian Pacific
heritage, and the rising sun represented the
future. The FFC included three degrees; The Future Farmers of the Philippines was
Farmhand (bronze), Chapter Farmer (silver), and established in 1953. Many of the components of
Provincial Farmer (gold). According to Tenney the FFP were adopted from the Future Farmers
(1977), “The Future Farmers of Canada sent of America. In a letter to the Supervisor of
representatives to the national FFA conventions Agricultural Education in the Philippines
in 1952 and 1953" (p. 120) and in 1954 the (Tenney, A.W., 1950-1957, Tenney to A.G.
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Connors The History of Future…
Matela, March 7, 1949) Tenney wrote, “This is Farmers of the Philippines, FFP, Vocational
to advise that you have our permission to use the Agriculture and 1953, the year FFP was
materials in our Official Manual and other items founded. The degrees of membership in the FFP
which may be appropriate for you to use in the are Greenhand (bronze), Chapter Farmer
Philippines. We can see no objection to your (silver), District Farmer (gold pin), Filipino
using these since your organization will be the Farmer (gold key). The organization also had
Future Farmers of the Philippines.” the Master Filipino Farmer of the Year,
FFP officers include the President, Vice Honorary Chapter Farmers, Honorary Filipino
President, Secretary, Treasurer, Press Relations Farmers, and Collegiate FFP members (Future
Officer [Reporter], Sergeant-at-Arms [Sentinel], Farmers of the Philippines, 1959).
and Advisor. The emblem of the FFP is shown Figure 3 below contains the emblem of the
in Figure 3 below. It includes eight symbols Future Farmers of the Philippines. Table 1 lists
including rising sun, plow, owl, crops, and flag the emblem symbol, the office it represents and
which are similar to symbols on the FFA the description of the symbol’s meaning.
emblem. It also includes the words Future

Figure 3 Future Farmers of the Philippines Emblem

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Table 1
Future Farmer of the Philippines’ Emblem Symbols and Their Meaning (FFP, 1959)
Emblem Symbol Associated Office Description
Rising Sun President Progress, skills, enlightenment and the
token of a new era in agriculture,
brotherhood, and cooperation.
Plow Vice President labor, industry and tillage of the soil as
well as agriculture which is the basic
industry of the Filipino people.
Rice and other crops Secretary Wealth and economic stability of the
nation
Picture of Jose P. Rizal Treasurer National unity because as a patriot and
as a farmer he kept accurate records of
his business and his activities to guide
his countrymen.
Filipino flag Press Relation Officer (Reporter) Loyalty and unity of purpose
Head of a Carabao Sergeant-at-Arms Strength of the nation and the national
scope of the organization.
Owl Advisor Knowledge and time-honored wisdom
Book with Torch -------- Learning and the records of
achievements of the nation

The Future Farmers of Australia was students enrolled in high school in
probably established in the early 1950s. In Samoa will not be eligible to take part in
October 1950 Tenney (Tenney, A.W., 1950- contests sponsored for and by the Future
1957, Tenney to A. R. Ninnes, October 24, Farmers of America.
1950) wrote to the Advisory Teacher of Tenney explained that,
Agriculture at the South Australia Department of The Congress of the United States
Agriculture, stating, “It would not be a difficult extended our program a few years ago
undertaking to organize the Future Farmers of that made possible a working
Australia. The first step would be to study the relationship with Hawaii [not yet a state]
official manual of our organization and revise it and Puerto Rico. We are not in a
so that it would meet your needs.” In a position to assist you officially until the
subsequent letter (Tenney, A.W., 1950-1957, authorization is given by the Congress
Tenney to A.R. Ninnes, July 10, 1953), Tenney to extend the program to Samoa.
wrote, “We are very glad to learn of the dev- Tenney even suggested that, “If you wish to
elopment and growth of the Future Farmers of organize the Future Farmers of Samoa, we shall
Australia. It is significant that you are holding a be very glad to provide complimentary copies of
State Convention the first week of September” appropriate literature for you to use.”
[1953]. In late 1955, a high school principal in At the same time interest was expressed by
American Samoa requested permission to vocational agriculture teachers on the island of
establish an FFA chapter. Tenney (Tenney, Guam to establish Future Farmers’ chapters. In
A.W., 1950-1957, Tenney to M.J. Senter, 1956, Tenney (Tenney, A.W., 1950-1957,
December 30, 1955) wrote that, Tenney to H.P. Adelbai, December 19, 1956)
...the Future Farmers of America wrote that
organization is composed of high school “I am interested to learn in your letter of
students who are studying vocational November 29, that you want to form a
agriculture in the public schools of the chapter of the Future Farmers of
United States. For that reason, the America on Guam. I regret to advise
that at the present time the vocational
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Connors The History of Future…
agriculture department in Guam is not Farmers of Peru, and the Future Farmers of
qualified to have an FFA chapter that Costa Rica. The committee recommended to
can affiliate with the national “develop guidelines to outline how the FFA
organization.” would be used to supplement agricultural
This was because at that time the National education programs in other countries, and
Vocational Education Act did not include recommended conducting a “World FFA
Guam. Seminar” in 1970 (Future Farmers of America,
1967).
Future Farmers in Africa and the Middle
East International Programs

The National FFA Archives includes letters In 1947, the National FFA Officers invited
referencing the Future Farmers of Liberia Lord Inverchapel, Ambassador from Great
(Tenney, A.W., 1950-1957, Tenney to F.B. Britain to address the national convention
Sands, March 14, 1955), the Young Farmers of (Tenney, 1977). Accompanying him on his trip
South Rhodesia (Tenney, A.W., 1950-1957, to Kansas City were six members of the
Tenney to D. E. Baker, May 19, 1952), and the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs of
Future Farmers of Israel (Tenney, A.W., 1950- Great Britain. At the same time six FFA
1957, Tenney to M. Aloni, October 26, 1955). members traveled to Britain for a tour. This led
Letters indicate that a chapter of the Future to the development of an international exchange
Farmers of Israel was established at Givat Ada. program between the two organizations.
Letters were also found from officials in Iraq in It was reported in the FFA at 25 booklet
reference to future plans to create “an (Farrar, 1956),
appropriate youth organization in the field of One of the convention activities was the
agriculture” (Tenney, A.W., 1950-1957, Tenney approval of a plan for establishing an
to J. H. Lintner, June 5, 1957). Other documents annual exchange program between the
were found that referred to the Future Farmers FFA and the Young Farmers Clubs of
of Egypt but no additional information about this Great Britain. Four Future Farmers
organization was located. made the trip to Britain in 1949 and four
British Young Farmers came to this
Future Farmers in Central and South country. (p. 41)
America This exchange program continued for many
years. In the history book Blue Jackets Gold
Several future farmers’ organizations were Standards (National FFA Organization, 2003), it
established in Central and South America. The was stated that, “Two 18-year-olds represented
Future Farmers of Panama was established in FFA in the organization’s British Exchange
1955. The official name of the organization is Program in 1953. David Boyne, Marlette,
Asociación Nacional de Futuros Agricultores de Michigan, and L. Philip Brouillette...Richford,
Panamá. In 1960, E.J. Johnson, Program Vermont, spent four summer months that year in
Planning Specialist in the U.S. Agricultural Great Britain visiting in homes of young
Education Branch, visited Peru to help officials farmers” (p. 26).
develop the Future Farmers of Peru. The FFP In 1963, the FFA contracted with the Peace
even received permission from the FFA to have Corps to sponsor agricultural development
the official FFA manual translated into Spanish projects in West Pakistan. A.W. Tenney
for the use of its members (Tenney, A.W., 1950- traveled to West Pakistan in 1965 to observe the
1957, Tenney to J. G. Coombs, April 7, 1955). projects and meet the FFA members who
The agenda for the Committee on volunteered to spend two years working in the
International Educational Activities for the country (Tenney, 1965). Building on the FFA’s
Future Farmers of America (1967) meeting success with exchange programs, the FFA Work
included references to the Future Farmers of Experience Program was developed in 1969.
Mexico, Future Farmers of Colombia, the Future This program would later be called Work
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Connors The History of Future…
Experience Abroad, and World Experience in Rural Development” to the First General
Agriculture. Other international activities in Meeting of the Committee on Interamericano de
which the FFA participated included the Educación Agricóla (Hunsicker, 1974a). .. On
Congress/Budestag Exchange Program in West the same trip Hunsicker gave another speech
Germany, and the World AgriScience Studies titled “The Role of Student Organizations in
Program (“Making the Grade Across the Vocational Agricultural Education” to the 5th
Ocean,” 1988). National Convention of Futuros Agriculturoes
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, FFA de Columbia (Hunsicker, 1974b).
involvement in international agricultural Over the decades, FFA continued to reach
education continued to grow. Joe Martinez, out to international organizations to offer
1968-69 National FFA Vice President, international exchange programs to send FFA
journeyed to Cali, Columbia to represent FFA at members to other countries, and bring young
the 1969 National Convention of the Future agriculture students to the United States. In
Farmers of Columbia. Martinez’s (1969) speech 1989, the FFA International Department
included the following passage, organized the “Experience America” program
It was interesting to me to note that your (El Salvador Students Experience America,
liberator, Simon Bolivar, whom you 1989). One hundred El Salvador high school
regard as the Father of your nation is students traveled to the USA and spent two
symbolic of the Treasurer’s post in the weeks with FFA families in California, Illinois,
FAC, just as George Washington, the Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New
Father of our nation is symbolic of the Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Virginia,
FFA Treasurer. Your reference to and Wisconsin. The project was sponsored by
Bolivar and the respect you show your Partners, a non-profit organization dedicated to
country and its leaders is indicative to furthering understanding of Central American
me that the FAC like the FFA seeks to and Caribean countries.
encourage patriotism for country and
fellow man. International Travel Seminars
The Future Farmers of America also got
involved in improving production agriculture Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the FFA
practices in foreign countries. In 1972, the FFA began offering international study tours to
worked with the Iowa FFA Association to Central and Eastern Europe, Australia and New
develop a swine improvement program in Zealand, Central and Northern Europe, and
Jamaica (Tenney, 1977, International Programs, South America. In the early 1970s, Lennie
n.d.). Tenney (1977) reported that, Gamage offered study tours to New Zealand,
After Lennie Gamage and Tim Burke, Thailand, the Philippines, Iran, Japan and Korea.
national FFA president in 1972, visited The first World Conference in Agricultural
the Youth Development Agency and Education for Youth and Adult Leaders was held
Youth Clubs in Jamaica, the FFA in conjunction with the 1976 National FFA
offered to provide high quality, pure- Convention. One of the major activities of the
bred swine to be given to the youth conference was the First International
camps in Jamaica to launch a pig chain Agricultural Olympics “consisting of individual
to upgrade swine (p. 122). competitive activities in soil and plant judging,
In 1973, Lennie Gamage, former National agricultural mechanics, tractor operation and
FFA Officer, and Director of FFA International maintenance, and livestock judging” (Tenney,
Programs, traveled to Australia to deliver the 1977, p. 124).
keynote speech titled “FFAustralia” to the 1973 In 1978-79, the national FFA organization
convention of the Future Farmers of Australia created the Proficiency Travel Seminar for the
(Tenney, 1977). In 1974, H. Nevil Hunsicker finalists and winners of the national FFA
traveled to Medellin, Columbia to deliver a Proficiency Awards. The first seminar took
speech titled “The Role of Vocational place in March 1979. Countries visited over the
Agriculture and Future Farmers Programs in years included England, France, Belgium,
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Connors The History of Future…
Luxembourg, West Germany, Liechtenstein, and choose agriculture as a career field. Over
Austria, Hungary, Italy, Switzerland, the course of several decades, many countries
Czechoslovakia (later the Czech Republic and started their own “future farmer” organizations.
Slovakia), Poland, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, The most successful was the Future Farmers of
the Netherlands, and Ireland. In the late 1980s, Japan which is a large and vibrant organization
the FFA developed the Stars on Tour program to this day. As the FFA grew, so did its
(Mattics, 1988). It included the finalists for the involvement in international activities.
Star Farmer of America and Star Based on the results of this historical
Agribusinessman of America. These two travel research study, it can be concluded that the
seminars were eventually combined to include Future Farmers of America organization played
both the star finalists and the proficiency a vital role in helping to establish similar “future
finalists. In 1999, the FFA established the farmer” youth organizations in numerous
International Leadership Seminar for State countries around the world.
Officers. This trip introduces State FFA The FFA has worked with many other
Officers to international agricultural production countries to offer exchange programs, study
and leadership development opportunities in tours, and travel seminars for state FFA officers,
Europe. award winners, and national FFA officer
Eventually, state FFA associations and local teams. The FFA has also offered Work
chapters began participating in international Experience Abroad, World Experience in
programs. In the early 1990s, several chapters Agriculture, and the World AgriScience Studies
from across the country participated in the Programs. This research found that international
Russian exchange program with agricultural agricultural education activities have been a
schools in the Russian Federation (former Soviet major component in the 82 year history of the
Union) (Zillinger, 1995). Six Pennsylvania FFA Future Farmers of America and the National
members from the Williamsburg chapter FFA Organization. FFA leaders, staff, national
participated in a six-month Poland Exchange officers, advisors, and members have traveled
Program in 1994 (Bruce, 1995). the world to offer assistance, gain valuable
Throughout the decades, the National FFA international work experience, or study
Officers also got a chance to experience agricultural production, policy, and culture in
international agricultural education. The numerous countries in every corner of the globe.
National Officer Good Will Tour to visit FFA Based on these conclusions, I recommends
Foundation Sponsors began in 1947. In the that a comprehensive assessment of worldwide
1980s this trip was expanded into the agricultural education programs should be
International Experience Tour for National conducted. Sources of information for such an
Officers and included a trip to Japan sponsored assessment would be Ministries of Education
by Mitsui & Company, a major Japanese trading and offices of vocational education in countries
company. The 1989 National Officers tour to determine the status of their agricultural
traveled to Japan, Thailand, and China. “The education programs and agricultural youth
officers also met with members of the Future organizations such as future farmers’ and young
Farmers of Japan and the Future Farmers of farmers’ clubs. The National FFA Organization
Thailand (“West Meets East,” 1989, p. 12). should reconstitute the Committee on
International Educational Activities. It should
Conclusions and Recommendations work to consolidate all information about
agricultural education/FFA involvement in
The establishment of the Future Farmers of international agricultural activities and make
America in 1928 and its subsequent growth in regular reports to the National Association for
size and scope was noticed around the world. Agricultural Education (NAAE), American
Agricultural education professionals from Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE),
dozens of other countries wanted to know about the National Association of Supervisors of
the organization and how it helped motivate Agricultural Education (NASAE), and at
young rural boys to study vocational agriculture National Ag Ed Summit meetings. The National
Journal of Agricultural Education 69 Volume 54, Number 1, 2013