For 70 years, FFA New Horizons has been on the front lines of storytelling for FFA. Since 1952, millions of copies of national FFA magazines have been circulated to members across the country, sharing inspiring, impactful and unique stories about members, alumni and supporters. Just as the news has evolved over the years, so has this publication.
What began as a motion during a National FFA Board of Trustees and Advisory Council meeting in 1950 has led to decades of stories that have recorded historic moments within U.S. agriculture and FFA, demonstrated the evolution of agricultural technology through FFA member experiences, and shared the many faces and experiences of FFA members, alumni and supporters.
The National Future Farmer magazine, as the publication was called from 1952 to 1989, documented FFA happenings during the race to the moon in the late 1950s, the merger of New Farmers of America (NFA) and FFA amid the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, the American agriculture boom in the 1970s, and the farm crisis in the 1980s. In 1989, the magazine changed names to FFA New Horizons, representing a new era and a renewed faith in the future of agriculture. Stories at the turn of the century captured life-changing events such as the invention of the internet and the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
Scrolling through the 100-plus archived copies of FFA publications opened my eyes to how the organization has grown and changed, and how FFA members worked together to overcome trials and challenges to ensure the future of agriculture. It’s worth celebrating — and we do, in “70 Years of FFA Stories!” on page 30. Although my part in the storied history of FFA New Horizons offers but a glimpse into decades of impact, I’m honored to continue sharing the stories of the FFA community within these pages.
In this issue, you’ll also find articles about the 95th National FFA Convention, automation in agriculture, how to stay safe on the farm and more.
Have fun this fall!
Kasey Riebel, Editor, FFA New Horizons, ffanewhorizons@dotdashmdp.com
