When FFA Was King Of The Radio Airwaves

Abstract

Many agricultural educators are not aware of the extensive use made by the National FFA broadcasting on the radio as a mass media during the 1930s and early 1940s. This period of time represented one when the most influential mass media in the United States was the radio. From 1931 until 1944 a total of 157 radio broadcasts were made over the NBC Radio Network. The broadcasts carried news of the day concerning the FFA including several state association activities. Various dignitaries such as President Franklin Roosevelt and the Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace were either on the programs or were represented on the programs. The period showed significant growth for the National FFA from 60,000 members to 80,000 members and also recorded the FFA's contribution to World War II. The national radio broadcasts spawned several state FFA radio broadcasts and proved to be a marvelous public relations outlet for the organization. The authors conclude with the point that teacher educators need to teach about such activities as the radio broadcasts as a way of completing the total picture of its history.