Department of Agriculture | Agricultural Education

FFA is a national educational organization, some 1,000,000 members strong, preparing young people for leadership and careers in agriculture. As one of the three integral components of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Education, FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success. In New Jersey, more than 3,500 members engage in personal, career and leadership development activities that challenge them to excel as they develop agricultural skills and competencies for the future.

New Jersey FFA History
FFA Association Leadership
Constitution, Bylaws and POA
Association Policies & Procedures
Directory of NJ Ag, Food and Natural Resources Education Programs and Related Organizations
Chapter Charter Requirements
FFA Vision, Mission, Motto and Code of Ethics
FFA Value Statements

New Jersey FFA History
For starters, did you know that agricultural activities began in New Jersey before the founding of the National FFA Organization in 1928? In fact, records show that statewide judging competitions for vocational agriculture students dated as far back as 1920. The actual formation of any type of agriculture organization began in 1923 when State Supervisor H.O. Sampson, a man highly respected for his witty personality and determination, established The Young Farmers of New Jersey.

Furthermore, another important player in New Jersey's rich FFA history was L.S. Archibald, a teacher and Advisory Council member. In a 1924 publication, he was quoted in saying, "I have no doubt that other states will be copying and looking to New Jersey for a model from which their state's organizations will be formed. Who can tell, but that a nationwide organization may eventually be formed and that the president of it may be a New Jersey boy?" At that time, Archibald's prediction seemed to be nothing more than wishful thinking. However, just four years later, his forecast became reality when Leslie Applegate, from Freehold, New Jersey, was elected the first national president of the FFA.

Actually, the New Jersey Association was granted their charter to the FFA on November 20, 1928, making them the third chartered state. It is also recorded that in October of this year, a Mt. Holly High School student won first prize in milk judging at the National Dairy Show in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1930, New Jersey held its first official FFA public speaking contest on May 15. But contests, conventions, and meetings were not the only things the FFA consisted of when it first began. There were many chapter activities conducted, some very different and some quite similar to those carried out in the present day. H.O. Sampson was a firm believer in chapter activities, and he was once quoted as saying, "The most effective FFA work can be done in the local chapters. The members should study the aims and purposes of the organization and develop each one with the local chapter in mind." Today, the H.O. Sampson Recognition Program honors chapters for outstanding participation in state level activities. Chapters can receive a gold, silver, or bronze rating based on their percentage of participation in all state FFA events.

FFA Association Leadership

State FFA Association Executive Board


Kathryn Giovanelli President	Breanna Rosmarin Vice President	Kayla Romero Secretary	Abigale DiGiamberardino Treasurer	Ivanelisse Pena Rivera Reporter	Peter DelCollo Sentinel	Aaron Foote Parliamentarian

Abrianna Portillo Executive Committee Chair	Tyler Murnaghan Executive Committee	Nina Weiland Executive Committee	Dale Cruzan Teacher Representative	Erin Noble State FFA Advisor	Jenny Allen State FFA Specialist	Debra McCluskey Executive Assistant

Office of Food, Agriculture & Natural Resource Education Staff


Erin Noble State Program Leader, Food, Agriculture & Natural Resources Education/State FFA Advisor	Jenny Allen State FFA Specialist	Debra McCluskey Executive Assistant
Division of Agricultural & Natural Resources New Jersey Department of Agriculture 200 Riverview Plaza, 3rd Floor P.O. Box 330 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0330 877-Ag Ed FFA (243-3332)

Constitution, Bylaws and POA

Constitution & Bylaws

The New Jersey FFA Constitution and Bylaws provide the founding principles, authority, objectives and procedures of the New Jersey FFA Association.

Amendments to the State Constitution or the Bylaws shall be submitted in writing by any chapter or by the governing body to the State Advisor at least sixty days prior to the annual State convention of the FFA. These proposed amendments will be submitted at the next monthly meeting to the State Officers and the State Executive Board, who shall in turn, submit them to the delegates 45 days prior to the next State Convention with their recommendation. Amendments may be adopted or rejected by a two-thirds roll call vote, recorded by the Secretary, of the House of Delegates present at the annual State Convention. Amendments that pass will take effect immediately after the elections of the State Officers for the coming year.

In order to secure flexibility, bylaws may be adopted to fit the needs of the State Association, provided they are not in conflict with the National Constitution, or the statutes, rules and regulations of the State of New Jersey, Department of Education.

Program of Activities (POA)

The Program of Activities (POA) is a structured plan outlining an organization's goals, activities, and events for the year. It serves as a roadmap to guide the organization towards its objectives by providing a calendar of events and detailing the steps needed to achieve them.
Association Policies & Procedures
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

CDE & LDE Event Policies & Procedures

Request for Reasonable Accommodations

National FFA Officer Candidate Selection Process
Directory of NJ Ag, Food and Natural Resources Education Programs and Related Organizations
Chapter Charter Requirements
In order to maintain a chapter charter with in the New Jersey FFA Association, a chapter must meet the following minimum qualifications:
1. Submit a Program Affiliation Contract by September 30 and its payment by January 31.
2. Elect chapter officers and updating the list of their names and addresses to AET in the Accounts tab by October 1.
3. Complete chapter roster on FFA.org by November 1.
4. Submit an updated program of activities to the State FFA Association Office by December 1.
5. Submit an updated local FFA chapter constitution to the Portfolio section in AET by December 1.
6. Send two delegates to the State FFA Convention.
7. Participate in at least five State/National events:
  1. Career Development Events
  2. Leadership Training Seminars
  3. State and National Chapter Awards
If a chapter fails to meet the minimum qualifications listed above by May 1, the State Executive Board may make recommendations to the delegate body at the state convention to revoke the chapter's charter or to place the chapter on probation. It is very important for a chapter to meet all the qualifications required by the New Jersey FFA Association.
FFA Vision, Mission, Motto and Code of Ethics
FFA Vision

Growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world.

FFA Mission

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

To accomplish its mission, FFA:
- Develops competent and assertive agricultural leadership.
- Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being.
- Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work.
- Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career.
- Encourages achievement in supervised agricultural experience programs.
- Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community.
- Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human relations and social interaction.
- Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism.
- Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people.
- Promotes healthy lifestyles.
- Encourages excellence in scholarship.
FFA Motto

Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.

FFA Code of Ethics

FFA members conduct themselves at all times to be a credit to their organization, chapter, school, community and family. FFA members pledge to:
1. Develop my potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.
2. Make a positive difference in the lives of others.
3. Dress neatly and appropriately for the occasion.
4. Respect the rights of others and their property.
5. Be courteous, honest and fair with others.
6. Communicate in an appropriate, purposeful and positive manner.
7. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by being modest in winning and generous in defeat.
8. Make myself aware of FFA programs and activities and be an active participant.
9. Conduct and value a supervised agricultural experience program.
10. Strive to establish and enhance my skills through agricultural education in order to enter a successful career.
11. Appreciate and promote diversity in our organization.
FFA Value Statements
The New Jersey FFA Association is committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive, engaging, and growth-focused environment for all students. We prioritize the well-being of our members and actively challenge prejudice while promoting a culture of inclusivity where every individual is respected, treated with dignity, and valued for their unique identities.