
Dear Friends,
It is no understatement that 2020 was a year of adjustment. We are so grateful that you stood by FFA through it all.
National FFA is no stranger to change or adjustments. For more than 90 years, FFA has shifted its methods, altered its programming and made changes when necessary to meet the needs of the members we serve. Still, throughout this time, we have remained true to the FFA mission of making a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The dedication and objective have never wavered; the difference is in the relevant ways in which we apply it.

For the first time in its history, the National FFA Convention & Expo was not an in-person gathering. When the pandemic persisted, we quickly made the difficult but necessary decision to virtually hold the convention and expo. Even so, we reached into the far corners of the U.S., with 217,415 registered attendees from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. National FFA Officers were elected virtually and announced live; official FFA delegate business, the American FFA Degree Awards and other events were handled over the internet.Teachers were required to alter their entire plans to teach from their homes. Parents and guardians and students had to turn their living rooms into home offices and classrooms. Individuals, organizations and businesses were forced to tighten budgets, rethink operations, and make tough decisions about the future.
All of us were impacted. In this annual report, you’ll see more instances where FFA was required to change course and, as a result, remained the top school-based youth leadership development organization in the country. It is with your support—our donors and sponsors—that we can continue this important journey together. With your help, FFA members gain a much larger community of support where a world of opportunities awaits them.
With your continued support, FFA is building a future for all.

GROWING, ENGAGED MEMBERSHIP
Since 2010, FFA has seen a near 25 percent increase in membership, averaging nearly 16,000 new members annually for 10 straight years. And in that 10th year, when faced with a global pandemic, how does our community respond? With more than three times the previous convention registrants—more than 200,000 members, alumni and supporters safely tuning in from home—together.
GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY
FFA exists in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with 8,739 chapters that extend into 24 of the 25 largest cities all without losing its rural roots and heritage. From small towns and suburbs to bustling cities, FFA ensures agriculture is for everyone everywhere.
CHAPTERS TO STEP
IN AND SERVE
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges for FFA chapters across the country in 2020. But thanks to the efforts of a long-time sponsor and their partnership with the National FFA Organization, hundreds of chapters found some relief from their financial burdens.
As a result, Cargill contributed $500,000 to the FFA COVID-19 Chapter Assistance Program, which National FFA designed to provide chapters with an opportunity to receive up to $2,000 to help offset program revenue loss. Cargill’s support of the program helped provide funding to 265 chapters across 45 states.
“Cargill and FFA have been working together for yes, over 60 years, to inspire and educate future leaders in the food and agriculture industry,” said Rob Stewart, president, Cargill protein North America growth ventures and National FFA Foundation Sponsors’ Board member.
Chapters that received assistance used the funds to help cover items such as technology costs, chapter materials and leadership development resources — items that spring and summer fundraising efforts would usually cover. For example, many chapters that received funding typically count on annual plant sales — or something similar — to raise money for chapter activities and materials. But in 2020, many of those yearly events had to be canceled as many schools pivoted to e-learning.
Because of the chapter assistance program, FFA chapters sustained programs and resources in the fall as many students started to return to classrooms. Materials for shop projects, support for members in financial need,
and funding future trips to conferences and conventions were just a few things covered.
Beyond the COVID-19 Chapter Assistance Program, in 2020, Cargill announced an investment of $2.1 million to FFA over the next three years that began in 2019. The money is being used to support FFA and agriculture teachers in the classroom and help prepare students for college and career opportunities.
SET UP AMBASSADORS
FOR SUCCESS
Herman Wilson knows first-hand the impact agriculture teachers can have on students—both in the classroom and well into their future careers. It’s been more than 60 years since Herman was a student himself, but he still remembers how his experiences in FFA set him up for success.
The Wilsons pledged $1 million to the National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA, a program designed to provide teacher training, peer mentoring and more to teachers on behalf of National FFA. The Wilsons have supported the National FFA Organization for the last 24 years.
“How to keep young teachers in the classroom is something that needs to be addressed as soon as they start their careers,” Herman said.
The National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA program began in 2016 with teachers whose experience ranged from one to more than 15 years. Because of the Wilson’s gift, FFA increased the number of ambassadors from 38 ambassadors in 2019-20 to 59 ambassadors in 2020-21.
“I’ve always been so impressed with the work ethic and dedication of the young people that make up FFA,” Bobbie said. “I will always remember my first time seeing a sea of blue jackets at national convention. We want to help give as many students as possible the chance to be part of such a great organization.”
The Wilsons—who live in Houston—have also provided significant support to Texas FFA teacher programs every year. The success of those programs, along with the National Teacher Ambassadors for FFA program, have inspired the Wilsons to provide support whenever and wherever they can.
“Agriculture teachers, and FFA in general, can be a shining light for students to follow to success,” Herman said. “If a student wants to get involved with FFA, they shouldn’t have to miss out on an opportunity like that because of lack of resources. We need to find dedicated teachers to fill these shortages and show them why it’s so important to stay.”
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A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- Thank you for your support on Give FFA Day! For the 24 hours of Feb. 25, 1.315 donors gave $219,354 to support FFA and agricultural education.
- #FFANextGen Conference—a hands-on, industry-relevant experience for high school juniors and seniors—took place in Kansas City, Mo., and focused on the animal systems career pathway.
- The 10,000th jacket was gifted through Give the Gift of Blue.
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A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- Due to the difficulties in holding in-person events during the pandemic, National FFA decided to offer individual experiences and challenges focused on career and leadership skills in place of all traditional national-level career and leadership development events previously scheduled at the 2020 National FFA Convention & Expo.
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A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
- Three companies—PepsiCo, General Mills and Bob Evans Restaurants—announced partnerships with FFA to educate students on the importance of regenerative agriculture, support personal growth and promote the FFA programs that currently exist.
- FFA membership hit a record high of 760,113—an increase of nearly 60,000 from the last year.
- National FFA Alumni and Supporters member Justin Allgaier drove a No. 7 Camaro featuring FFA and Give the Gift of Blue that won the NASCAR Dover Doubleheader race.
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A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- The National FFA Convention & Expo was held virtually for the first time with a live broadcast by RFD-TV.
- National FFA shared a new Agricultural Education for All roadmap. It outlines the strategies the organization is taking to support inclusion, diversity and equity to ensure the organization is a bully-free zone that reflects society’s demographics in membership, leadership and staff, and celebrates individuality.
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A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- John Deere announced a donation of $1 million in 2020 to help support the National FFA mission.
- The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., announced a multiyear commitment of more than $4 million as part of their ongoing support of FFA, teachers and agricultural education.
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A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- Thank you for your support on Give FFA Day! For the 24 hours of Feb. 25, 1.315 donors gave $219,354 to support FFA and agricultural education.
- #FFANextGen Conference—a hands-on, industry-relevant experience for high school juniors and seniors—took place in Kansas City, Mo., and focused on the animal systems career pathway.
- The 10,000th jacket was gifted through Give the Gift of Blue.
-
A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- Due to the difficulties in holding in-person events during the pandemic, National FFA decided to offer individual experiences and challenges focused on career and leadership skills in place of all traditional national-level career and leadership development events previously scheduled at the 2020 National FFA Convention & Expo.
-
A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
- Three companies—PepsiCo, General Mills and Bob Evans Restaurants—announced partnerships with FFA to educate students on the importance of regenerative agriculture, support personal growth and promote the FFA programs that currently exist.
- FFA membership hit a record high of 760,113—an increase of nearly 60,000 from the last year.
- National FFA Alumni and Supporters member Justin Allgaier drove a No. 7 Camaro featuring FFA and Give the Gift of Blue that won the NASCAR Dover Doubleheader race.
-
A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- The National FFA Convention & Expo was held virtually for the first time with a live broadcast by RFD-TV.
- National FFA shared a new Agricultural Education for All roadmap. It outlines the strategies the organization is taking to support inclusion, diversity and equity to ensure the organization is a bully-free zone that reflects society’s demographics in membership, leadership and staff, and celebrates individuality.
-
A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY AND GROWTH
- John Deere announced a donation of $1 million in 2020 to help support the National FFA mission.
- The CHS Foundation, funded by charitable gifts from CHS Inc., announced a multiyear commitment of more than $4 million as part of their ongoing support of FFA, teachers and agricultural education.
- JAN
- FEB
- MARCH
- APRIL
- MAY
- JUNE
- JULY
- AUG
- SEPT
- OCT
- NOV
- DEC
AND SUPPORTERS
EXTEND REACH
The John Deere FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter has always viewed Give FFA Day — the National FFA Foundation’s annual day of giving — as a way to kick off the year to come. Give FFA Day 2020 was especially meaningful for the chapter, with total giving up 50 percent in combination with hundreds of volunteer hours. Not long after the world came to a halt when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, it didn’t take long for the chapter to realize that 2020 would certainly look different for FFA members across the country.
And indeed, they did, giving more than 700 volunteer hours through a variety of efforts, including assisting with virtual judging at career and leadership development events across the country.
In addition to donating time, the chapter also raised much-needed funds for National FFA and state FFA associations. In 2020, the chapter contributed more than $91,000—compared to just over $66,000 in the previous year. This impressive total included both individual donations as well as matches provided by the John Deere Foundation.
“I think that really speaks to the generosity of our chapter members,” Arthur said. “While we didn’t get to be face-to-face with students like we usually strive to do, we found ways to support them financially.”
The members who make up the John Deere FFA Alumni and Supporters Chapter contribute to Give FFA Day individually. The chapter started in 2014 as a grassroots effort with 12 members and it has now grown to more than 300 members.
Benjamin Zelle, product marketing manager for John Deere, said that while the company itself is quite big, what’s even bigger is the generosity of the people working behind the scenes.
“It’s been really rewarding for me to see how our leadership has contributed every year during Give FFA Day and how engaged our membership is,” Zelle said. “Our goal as members is to create as much energy and joy around the idea of giving because FFA is an organization that has had a huge impact on us.”
In addition to fundraising efforts, members saw the value in connecting with the students they were supporting. Brea Harms, division customer support manager for John Deere, helped link chapter members to different virtual events throughout the year.
She views the virtual opportunities as a blessing in disguise for the chapter.
“Our job is to find those opportunities and connect them to the right people,” Harms said. “That became especially true in 2020. We were able to connect people to opportunities across the country that, if they hadn’t been virtual, I’m not sure we would be able to participate. Our members had opportunities that truly broadened their horizons.”