The History of Future Farmer Organizations Around the World

Abstract

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.