House 23

SENATE RESOLUTION 23

(By Senators Thorne, Hart, Rose, Deeds, and Chapman)

[Introduced January 30, 2026]

Designating February 2, 2026, as Future Farmers of America Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, In 1917, Congress passed the Smith-Hughes Act providing funds for teaching vocational agriculture in high schools. In 1925, Virginia Tech agricultural education teachers Henry Groseclose, Harry Sanders, Walter S. Newman, and Edmund C. Magill organized the Future Farmers of Virginia (FFV) for boys in agriculture classes. Interest in the organization increased and spilled over into other states; and

Whereas, The FFV served as the model for the Future Farmers of America. The Future Farmers of America was established in 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri, with the first National FFA Convention, assembling 33 delegates from 18 states. Over the years, the organization grew to include chapters from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands and is designed to serve middle, high school, and college students with an interest in agriculture; and

Whereas, FFA provides a platform for students to compete and showcase skills gained from the classroom and real-world, hands-on learning. Students acquire leadership skills through the organization as well. In 1965, FFA merged with the New Farmers of America, which was the agricultural club for African American males at the time. Females were allowed membership in the FFA in 1969; and

Whereas, In 1988, Future Farmers of America officially changed its name to The National FFA Organization to reflect the growing diversity in the agriculture sector. There are currently over one million members nationally. FFA was chartered in West Virginia in 1928, and the state association was organized with the first state officer team during that year. In West Virginia there are currently 91 agriculture education programs, serving over 7,489 members across the state; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates February 2, 2026, as Future Farmers of America Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Farm Bureau organization.