national FFA

What national FFA does

National FFA Organization is a federally chartered, 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana that prepares middle-school, high-school, and collegiate students for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. It operates a chapter-based membership model embedded in U.S. school-based agricultural education programs, supported by 9,407 local chapters across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and 1,042,245 student members. The organization runs a portfolio of programming that includes the annual National FFA Convention & Expo (73,379 attendees), the Washington Leadership Conference, the age-tiered FFA Member Leadership Series (Discovery, Mission, Impact), Career Development Events, the American FFA Degree recognition program, and supervised agricultural experiences (SAE).

The technology stack includes the AgExplorer career-exploration platform (covering 300+ agriculture career pathways), the Official FFA Manual in digital and print, the FFA New Horizons magazine, the ChapterBoost digital fundraising platform, the FFA Ventures student-grant program, and an e-commerce merchandise store (Shop FFA). FFA integrates third-party educational technology including Microsoft FarmBeats for Students (precision agriculture and AI tools) and Minecraft Education Edition for virtual learning experiences targeting K-12 agricultural education.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model: corporate sponsorships and multi-year grants from agricultural majors (John Deere Foundation, Bayer, Cargill, Case IH, Syngenta, Tractor Supply, BASF, Elanco, AGCO), membership dues supplemented by state and local fees, individual donations and alumni contributions, fundraising campaigns such as Tractor Supply's Grants for Growing (nearly $9M since 2016) and Culver's Scoops of Thanks Day (over $1M since 2016), merchandise sales through Shop FFA, and convention and event registration fees. The fundraising function is housed in a companion organization, the National FFA Foundation. Go-to-market is community-led: students join through school-based FFA advisors, the annual convention functions as a flagship member-engagement event, and corporate sponsors extend reach through co-marketing and retail fundraising (Tractor Supply stores, Culver's restaurants).

Name

national FFA

Legal name

National FFA Organization

Website

https://ffa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Agricultural Education and Leadership Development

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Alumni Benefits, Membership & Affinity Programs (EDALAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fundraising & Annual Giving (EDALAOAB), Business, Entrepreneurship & Case Competitions (DECA-style, Pitch, Case) (EDAMAGAJ), Teacher Training, Professional Development & Education Leadership (BPADAKAC), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF)

Keywords

• Agricultural education
• Youth leadership development
• Career exploration
• Membership association
• Nonprofit organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships and Grants: Major corporations (John Deere, Bayer, Cargill, Case IH, Syngenta, Tractor Supply, etc.) provide multi-year grants and sponsorships to support FFA programs, leadership development, and scholarships. The John Deere Foundation alone committed $3.9 million over three years.
2. Membership Dues and Program Fees: FFA generates revenue through national membership dues, fees for competitive events, convention attendance, and program participation
3. Merchandise Sales (Shop FFA): Online merchandise store selling official FFA jackets, apparel, and merchandise
4. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, alumni contributions, and fundraising campaigns like Grants for Growing (Tractor Supply customers have contributed nearly $9 million since 2016)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The National FFA Organization delivers agricultural education and youth leadership development through a chapter-based membership model in U.S. schools. It sells annual student memberships, hosts leadership conferences and the National FFA Convention & Expo, runs the AgExplorer career exploration platform, and provides competitive events, scholarships, grants (Grants for Growing, FFA Ventures), and supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs that prepare students for 300+ agriculture-related careers.

Product overview

National FFA Organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of youth development programs and services focused on agricultural education and leadership development. The core offerings include FFA New Horizons magazine (the official publication), AgExplorer (career exploration platform), Supervised Agricultural Experiences (hands-on learning SAE programs), and ChapterBoost (fundraising platform). These are supported by grants programs including FFA Ventures (student business investment) and Grants for Growing (chapter project funding). The organization provides extensive leadership development through conferences including the Washington Leadership Conference, FFA Member Leadership Series with age-appropriate tracks, and hosts the annual National FFA Convention & Expo. Recognition programs include the American FFA Degree (highest member achievement), American Star Awards, and Honorary Awards. Additional offerings include Living to Serve (community service), FFA Blue 365 (member benefits), Official FFA Manual, and Teacher Ambassadors program supporting agricultural educators. The RISE FFA Career Program enables four-year paid apprenticeships in partnership with agricultural cooperatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National FFA Convention & Expo One of the largest student conventions in the world, held annually to develop, educate and inspire FFA members through competitive events, sessions, career fair, and celebrations including the American FFA Degree ceremony. Attracts over 73,000 members, advisors, and industry partners.
• Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) Week-long premier leadership experience held in Washington D.C. helping FFA members develop leadership skills surrounded by the nation's capital history. Targeted at FFA members seeking advanced leadership development.
• FFA Member Leadership Series Flexible leadership development program with age-appropriate conferences featuring rotating curriculum and skilled facilitators, serving FFA members from 5th through 12th grade.
• American FFA Degree The highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, recognizing members who demonstrate outstanding dedication to their chapter through superior achievement in supervised agricultural experiences, leadership, and community service.
• AgExplorer Online career exploration platform helping students explore over 300 agriculture-related career pathways through virtual field trips, career assessments, and educational resources, featuring partnerships with agricultural companies for behind-the-scenes tours (John Deere, Syngenta, Cargill).
• Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) Hands-on learning program where FFA members develop skills through real-world agricultural projects including entrepreneurship, employment, and research placements, supported by saeforall.org digital tools.
• ChapterBoost Digital fundraising platform helping FFA chapters raise money for activities, equipment, and community projects through customizable campaign tools.
• FFA Ventures Investment program providing funding and resources to help FFA members launch agricultural businesses and innovative projects as part of their supervised agricultural experiences.
• FFA New Horizons Magazine Official publication of National FFA providing articles on agricultural education, member stories, career features, and FFA news. Published periodically with both print and digital editions available.
• Career Development Events (CDE/LDE) Suite of competitive events including agricultural proficiency awards, agriscience fair, national chapter award, and designated events testing members' skills in areas like floriculture, food science, meat science, and agricultural mechanics.
• Living to Serve Service-learning initiative encouraging FFA members to identify and address community needs through agricultural-focused service projects and day of service mini-grants.
• FFA Blue 365 Member discount program offering deals and savings from various agricultural and commercial partners to FFA members.
• Official FFA Manual Comprehensive guide covering FFA history, bylaws, constitution, and organizational information available as a free online flip book, PDF, DOC, or printed edition from Shop FFA.
• Ag Literacy and Advocacy Programs and resources helping FFA members advocate for agriculture and improve agricultural literacy in their communities through classroom resources and community outreach.
• Teacher Ambassadors Program supporting agricultural educators through professional development, resources, and advocacy to help them effectively teach agricultural education and guide FFA chapters.
• National FFA Week Annual week-long celebration in February (aligned with George Washington's birthday) honoring FFA's one million members across over 9,400 chapters, featuring activities like Drive Your Tractor to School Day.
• Grants for Growing Annual competitive grant program enabling FFA chapters to apply for up to $5,000 for hands-on learning projects in three focus areas: Grow Your Classroom, Grow Your FFA Chapter, and Grow Your Ag Awareness. Run in partnership with Tractor Supply.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million student members served across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• National Auction AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 February 2026The National FFA Organization and the National Auction Association are partnering to introduce the International Junior Auctioneer Championship to FFA members. The new program aims to help members develop communication and sales skills through competitive auctioneering.
• Sunrise CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Sunrise Cooperative launched the RISE FFA Career Program in 2020 in partnership with the Ohio chapter of the National FFA Organization. The four-year paid apprenticeship rotates participants through all major cooperative divisions—agronomy, grain, and energy—across more than 20 central Ohio locations, treating them as full employees while addressing the cooperative's impending wave of retirements.
• Culver'scoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Culver's twelfth annual Scoops of Thanks Day invites guests nationwide to enjoy a single scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard for a $1 donation supporting local FFA chapters and agricultural education. Since the fundraiser launched in 2016, it has raised over $1 million as part of Culver's broader Thank You Farmers Project that has contributed over $8 million to agriculture since 2013.
• Tractor Supply CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2016Tractor Supply Company launched its 11th annual Grants for Growing fundraiser, empowering FFA students nationwide with hands-on learning experiences for careers in agriculture and skilled trades. Since 2016, Tractor Supply customers have contributed nearly $9 million to support local FFA chapters, with the company having partnered with FFA since 1985 and donating nearly $24 million through various initiatives overall.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationMicrosoft partners with FFA on FarmBeats for Students, developed to empower K-12 educators to give students hands-on experience with precision agriculture and AI technology. Microsoft's FarmVibes.AI tools help farmers with yield assessment, strategy planning, and sustainable agriculture practices.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SkillsUSA: SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit serving middle-school, high-school, and college students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations; it competes with FFA for the same CTE/leadership audience and shares the chapter-based, advisor-led structure.
• 4-H: 4-H is the most direct comparable: a U.S. youth development organization with a strong agriculture and STEM focus, organized through cooperative extension and school-based clubs, with comparable membership scale, leadership programming, and corporate sponsor model.
• DECA: DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management; like FFA it runs chapter-based programs, competitive events, and a national conference, and is part of the same broader family of CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organizations).
• FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America): FCCLA is a national CTSO focused on family and consumer sciences, with a chapter-based membership model, competitive events, and national leadership conference—operating alongside FFA in many of the same schools.
• Agriculture Future of America (AFA): AFA is a non-profit that builds bridges for young leaders in agriculture through leader development, career preparation, and corporate partnerships—a close peer in the ag-talent-pipeline space, complementing FFA's high-school focus with collegiate programming.
• HOSA-Future Health Professionals: HOSA is a national student organization for future health professionals with a chapter-based, advisor-led structure and competitive events; comparable to FFA as a CTSO with similar governance, funding model, and convention-based engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Boy Scouts of America (Scouts BSA): BSA is a much larger incumbent youth leadership organization; it overlaps with FFA on leadership development, badge-based advancement, and national conventions, but is not agriculture-specific.
• National Cattlemen's Beef Association / youth programs: Industry associations like NCBA run their own youth education, scholarship, and cattle-show programs that overlap with FFA's livestock and agribusiness pathways and share the same agribusiness sponsor pool.

Emerging players

• National Young Farmers Coalition: National Young Farmers Coalition advocates for and supports young farmers through policy, networking, and resources; partially overlaps with FFA's alumni/early-career pipeline and competes for the same ag-corporate sponsorship dollars.
• MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences): MANRRS supports underrepresented students in agriculture and related sciences via professional development, mentorship, and conferences—a peer/adjacent organization that competes with FFA for diversity-focused corporate partnerships and student mindshare.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nationalffa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/nationalffa
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalffa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-ffa-organization
• Instagraminstagram.com/nationalffa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about national FFA