The Oklahoma FFA is gearing up for a historic year as it prepares to celebrate a century of leadership, personal growth, and career success. In a recent conversation with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Oklahoma FFA’s Jaycey Fye shared updates on the organization’s upcoming events, the 100-Year Milestone, and its remarkable evolution since its inception.
A Century of Evolution
Founded in 1926 with its first meeting at the Oklahoma State Fair, the Oklahoma FFA has grown from a small farming organization for boys into a diverse, statewide powerhouse. Today, the organization boasts over 30,000 members across 370 chapters, marking its highest membership to date.
The demographics and reach of the organization have shifted significantly over the decades. “It has evolved tremendously in the last 100 years, when it was just originally a farming organization for boys and now probably 60% of our membership is female,” Fye noted. This diversity extends beyond gender to include various ethnicities and a surge in urban programs, proving that FFA is “not just rural anymore”.
Upcoming Milestones and Events
The Oklahoma FFA has a packed schedule leading up to its centennial celebration:
- Business and Industry Tours: State officers are currently engaging with partners in Northwest and Southwest Oklahoma.
- Legislative and VIP Banquet: Scheduled for April 1st, this event brings together members, advisors, and legislators for “a great opportunity for camaraderie and promoting all things Oklahoma FFA”.
- 100th State FFA Convention: The premier event will take place May 5th and 6th at the BOK and Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa. “We are planning for a big event. It’s going to be really fun,” Fye said.
High Stakes and Big Rewards
The upcoming state convention will feature several high-profile highlights, including an appearance by National FFA President Trey Myers from the Perkins-Tryon FFA chapter.
A major highlight of the event is the recognition of top-tier student achievement. “We also will be announcing our four State Star winners and they will receive $29,000 in scholarships,” Fye explained. Oklahoma remains the only state organization to offer this level of award, which students can use for college or as “operating capital” to grow their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects.
Talent and Tradition
The convention will also showcase the artistic talents of its members through a competitive program. Students who have auditioned will perform at the start of each session, with peers voting for winners via a mobile app. The overall winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Army.
To honor the organization’s roots, the 100th convention will reintroduce the State President’s retiring address during the final night. This move toward “something really exciting and more traditional” will serve as the finale before the conferring of State FFA Degrees.
