FFA History

Kentucky FFA Timeline

1930- Kentucky FFA chartered.  The first President was Rollie Hinton from Flemingsburg.  The first State Advisor was G. Ivan Barnes.
1936- Kentucky Superitendent of Public Instruction H. W. Peters was the first person honored with the Honorary State FFA Degree.
1937- Kentucky FFA Leadership Training Center was founded in Hardinsburg.
1937- A. B. "Happy" Chandler became the first Kentucky Governor to receive the Honorary State FFA Degree.
1942- First Star Farmer, Calvert Kelsey, was selected.
1948- Rupert Seals was elected as the first National NFA (New Farmers of America) President from Kentucky.
1952-53 - John Johnson was elected as the second NFA President from Kentucky.
1957- Howard Downing (Jessamine County) was elected as the first National FFA President from Kentucky.
1960- Harley Blane was elected as the third NFA President from Kentucky.
1964- Kenneth Kennedy (Trigg County) was elected National FFA President.
1971- Kentucky FFA Alumni was chartered.
1977- First African American State President, Steve Washington, was elected.
1979- First Female State Officer, Pam Brinkley, was elected.
1984- Steve Meredith (Hardin County) was elected National FFA President.
1987- Kentucky FFA Foundation was formed
1988- First Star In Agribusiness, Gregory Walker, was selected.
1989- First Female State President, Susan Smitson (Jessamine Co.) was elected.
2003- First Star In Placement, Richard Medley (Washington Co.) was selected.
2007- Nicholas Hardesty (Meade Co.) was selected as the American Star Farmer.  Hardesty is the first Kentucky FFA member selected for this award..
2011- Alex Meredith (Central Hardin) was selected as the American Star In Agribusiness.  Meredith is the first Kentucky FFA member selected for this award.