WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Johanns today led a bipartisan effort in the Senate to commemorate 40 years of membership by women in the Future Farmers of America, now known as the National FFA organization. A Johanns-led resolution passed in the Senate by unanimous consent on Wednesday night.

"Our nation has benefited greatly from the FFA’s decision to open its doors to female membership 40 years ago," said Johanns. "The leadership and service that women have contributed to FFA have helped the program move toward new and innovative ideas, and their contributions to agriculture have been invaluable to our state and nation."

Click here to read Senator Johanns’ submission to the Congressional Record honoring women in the FFA.

Fast Facts:

· Forty years ago during the 1969 National FFA Convention delegates voted to allow women to join FFA.
· Today, 41 percent of all National FFA members are women and more than 50 percent of leadership positions in the National FFA are held by
· More than 800 Nebraska women have received their American FFA degrees, the highest honor awarded to FFA members.
· Ninety Nebraska women have served as State FFA officers with eight serving as President.
· Four Nebraska women have served as National FFA officers.
· Over the next few days, FFA members from all 50 states and territories will descend on Indianapolis, IN for their National FFA Convention, where they will celebrate 40 years of women contributing to the organization.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of 506,199 student members – all preparing for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture – as part of 7,429 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National FFA Organization changed to its present name in 1988, in recognition of the growth and diversity of agriculture and agricultural education. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a Federal Charter granted by the 81st Congress of the United States, and is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. Visit www.ffa.org for more information.
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