Five agricultural education programs were honored for 100 years of excellence within vocational and agricultural education on Wednesday during the opening session of the 90th Kansas FFA Convention, May 30-June 1, 2018, on the Kansas State University campus.

The Arkansas City FFA, Chapman FFA, Fort Scott FFA, Garden City FFA, and Tonganoxie FFA chapters have reached the milestone having continuous curricula offered within the school districts to enhance career and technical education in the state of Kansas. “It’s a huge opportunity to be able to take a unique look back on what FFA was before it became what it is now,” said Elizabeth Unruh of Garden City. “The way ag education programs and FFA shaped lives and continue to shape lives is special to watch and experience.”

The Smith-Hughes Act was established in 1917 and six Kansas communities made the decision to support vocational education — specifically, instruction in agriculture, development of career-ready skills, and leadership opportunities. These communities were approved for federal and state aid under the new Act, and Kansas established its first set of six agricultural education programs, five of which are still active programs today.

Corbin Liermann from Arkansas City said that being recognized for 100 years as a program “puts a lot of pressure on us as a chapter to uphold the legacy that our previous leaders and members have established.” Austin Becker, also from Arkansas City, quickly added that “We are willing to accept the challenge to uphold that legacy.”

Chapters can only be chartered in schools where systematic instruction in agriculture education is offered. To receive their charter, each chapter must submit a letter of application, a list of their members and officers, a copy of the proposed local chapter constitution and bylaws, a copy of their program of activities, as well as have paid current district, state, and national dues.

Photos are available at Flickr.com/ksffa or upon request.