National NFA President Adolphus Pinson (right) exchanges his NFA jacket for an FFA jacket from National FFA President Kenneth Kennedy (left) during the 1965 merger ceremony. Photo courtesy of the IUPUI Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archive.
Ninety years ago, the New Farmers of America (NFA) was founded at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, and David Simmons was elected as the first national NFA president. Designed to provide leadership opportunities for Black agriculture students, this organization’s roots were shaped by influential educator, author and civil rights leader Booker T. Washington.
After its founding in 1935, NFA grew to 1,004 chapters in 12 states and more than 50,000 members before it was brought under the authority of the U.S. Department of Education in 1941. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. One year later, in 1965, NFA merged with the Future Farmers of America (now known as the National FFA Organization).
As our organization continues to evolve and look toward the future, it’s important to reflect on where we’ve been and the actions, decisions and moments that shaped where we are today. Learn more about NFA and the lasting impact of its merger with FFA.
Shining a Light on a Storied History
Scholars nationwide are committed to preserving the history of NFA and recognizing its historical significance. Access a full collection of digitized archives created by students and faculty at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
