The Minnesota FFA Association is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a number of events.

Members of the new Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame will be recognized at the state convention April 25-27 in St. Paul. Many notable speakers will be on the convention lineup, including past Minnesota FFA members. During the final session of the convention, the "Minnesota FFA at 75" time capsule will be sealed, to be reopened in 25 years.

The National FFA Organization has chosen One Mission: Student Success as the theme for its 75th anniversary. The Minnesota FFA Association also will promote this theme as it celebrates 75 years of FFA in the state in 2004.

Highlights of Minnesota FFA History
1929--The Minnesota FFA Association was established.

1930--The Esko FFA was the first chapter to charter.

1931-- Norman Goodwin of Austin was the first Minnesotan to receive his American FFA Degree.

1937--The first annual state FFA banquet was held at Coffman Memorial Union with 700 in attendance.

1938--The Esko FFA Chapter defeated the Harlem GlobeTrotters in a game of basketball.

1939--Erwin L. Denison was the first Minnesotan to be named a national FFA Officer.

1943--Showed a decrease in the number of FFA members and chapters due to the call of the armed services, five of the state officers were also called to war.

1953--The Minnesota FFA Foundation was established.

1955--Minnesota celebrated their silver anniversary

1956--The first year of the Children’s FFA Barnyard at the Minnesota State Fair.

1969--Females were first allowed in the FFA!

1974--Jan Rudolf Lust was the first female from Minnesota to receive her American FFA Degree.

1975--Kathy Kubicek was the first female state FFA Officer.

1981--R. James Ertl was named the state executive secretary.

For more information, visit the Minnesota FFA Web Site.