In this Footnote we will examine various activities of the Nevada FFA over the decades. But first, how about a quiz?
- T or F. The 2026-27 Nevada FFA state officer team is composed of 6 individuals.
- T or F. The FFA in Nevada is divided into 6 regions.
- T or F. Nevada was the 48th state to receive a national FFA charter.
- T or F. Beginning FFA members in Nevada are known as Greenhorns.
- T or F. Wool judging is an FFA Career Development Event in Nevada.
The answers to the quiz will be revealed in this Footnote.
When Did the Nevada FFA Receive a National Charter?
Nevada applied for a national charter on January 27, 1929. At that point in time they had six chapters with 83 members. The chapters and their membership were:
- Douglas County High School – 11
- Lincoln County High School – 9
- Lund High School – 12
- Overton High School – 12
- Virgin Valley High School -30
- Yerington High School – 9
The charter application listed the program of work for the Nevada FFA. One of the items listed was “Every member to write a publishable article on his home project.” Interesting!
The application for a national charter was approved in 1929 and was the 11th state chartered.
The First State FFA Competitions
In October of 1929 more than 50 boys and their advisors traveled to Reno to participate in public speaking and judging contests. These activities were in conjunction with the Nevada Potato, Apple and Livestock show at the University of Nevada.
The livestock judging classes were dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, swine and horses. In the crops judging the students evaluated potatoes, alfalfa seed, alfalfa hay, and small grains.
Eight students, from different parts of the state, participated in the public speaking contest. This event was held at night and the public was invited to attend. Apparently, the public speakers were given a list of topics from which they could choose to speak about. According to an article in the Nevada State Journal (October 24, 1929) speeches about “My Home Project in Agriculture and What It Has Meant to Me” was given by 3 speakers. Four of the speakers spoke about “The Need and Value of Co-Operation Among Farmers.” There was one speech about “Why a Farmer Should Keep Farm Cost Accounts.”
Figure 1. Nevada State Journal, October 24, 1992
State and Zone Officers
The number of state officers varies from year to year. There can be up to six state officers. In 2026-2027 there are three state officers. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. From the Nevada FFA Facebook page.
While many state FFA associations are divided into federations, districts, regions, or areas the FFA in Nevada is divided into three zones – Southern, Western, and Northern. Each Zone has a set of officers. In 2025-26 the southern Zone had three officers, the Western Zone had four and the Northern Zone had two. Check out https://nvaged.com/participate/nevada-ffa-state-officer-team/#zone
Career and Leadership Development Events
No, wool judging is not a state FFA competition in Nevada. The events in Nevada are typical of those found in most states. However, a number of Nevada CDEs and LDEs have both senior and novice competitions.
An event for Greenhands (yes, they are Greenhands, not Greenhorns) is the Best Informed Greenhand Leadership Development Event. Students must be freshmen and there is no limit as to the number of teams per chapter, three members per team. This event is a written exam with questions coming from the official FFA Manual and the state FFA constitution.
There is also a chapter scrapbook competition. The scrapbooks are to showcase the chapter’s activities and history. They can be physical or multimedia. Follow this link to learn more about this competition.
FFA Over Time
Let’s look at what various FFA chapters in Nevada were doing over time.
1930s
The Lund FFA took a 10 day outing to Yellowstone National Park. Information from the Reno Gazette-Journal. May 30, 1938
1940s
The Nevada FFA members supported the war effort by purchasing war bonds, repairing farm machinery, growing victory gardens, and collecting scrap metal. Information from the Reno Gazette-Journal, July 2, 1942
1950s
Several FFA chapters in Nevada initiated farm safety campaigns in the 1950s. FFA members visited farms and ranches and identified safety hazards and then helped make repairs. The Ruby Mountain FFA was one of the chapters involved in this effort. Information from the Elko Daily Free Press, February 6, 1958.
1960s
The Duck Valley FFA, located in Owyhee High School on a remote Indian reservation in northern Nevada, purchased 15 Hereford cows and 12 calves in 1963. The 29 FFA members planted 25 acres of pasture, 10 acres of alfalfa and five acres of small grains to support the cattle. The goal was to improve the livestock of the community. Information from The Agricultural Education Magazine, August 1964.
1970s
A number of FFA chapters in Nevada were recognized for their community improvement activities. The Mason Valley FFA placed 3rd in the nation in the Building Our American Communities program in 1974. Information from the Mason Valley News, September 27 1974.
1980s
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Even after females were allowed to become members of the FFA in 1969 many states continued the tradition of having a chapter sweetheart. This was true in Nevada and there was even a state FFA sweetheart competition. Susie Dorsa was selected as Chapter Sweetheart of the Ruby Mountain FFA chapter at Elko High School in 1984. Information from the Elko Daily Free Press, December 22, 1984.
1990s
Alexander Pope said “Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.” This statement certainly applies to technology. In 1988 Bill Alexander, a member of the Ruby Mountain FFA received an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC to participate in the fifth National FFA Computers in Agriculture Seminar. He received hands-on training with different types of computers and software. Information from the Elko Daily Free Press, August 27, 1988
2000s
FFA is more than sows, cows, and plows. Numerous schools in Nevada were adding horticulture and floriculture to the course offerings and appropriate facilities were needed. In 2006 the Smith Valley FFA held the grand opening of their greenhouse. Both the USDA and local FFA supporters made the greenhouse possible. Information from the Mason Valley News, May 26, 2006.
2010s
“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” is a Victorian era saying for brides. The same might be true of an FFA event sponsored by the Smith Valley FFA and FFA Alumni in 2017 – Donkey basketball. This fundraiser is old, having been around since the 1930s, but it was probably new to the students and staff who participated. And there might be a blue bruise after being bucked off the donkey which results in borrowing a heating pad. Information from the Reno Gazette-Journal, February 20, 2013. Silver Sage FFA and Yerington also hosted donkey basketball during the 2010s.
2020s
In 2025 a new Agriscience Building was dedicated by the Silver Sage FFA Chapter at Spring Creek High School. The new facility has a state of the art Food Science lab. The building is dedicated to Dennis “Digger” Digenan, the FFA advisor from 1978-2009. A wooden plaque near the entrance contained Dennis’s words “Learn, learn, learn then teach, teach, teach.” Information from the Elko Daily Free Press, September 16, 2025.
Concluding Remarks
Hundreds of other examples could be given about the activities of the FFA in Nevada. These types of examples can be found all across the country. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the FFA we need to make a concerted effort to document our local and state histories.
As I worked on this Footnote it was obvious that several FFA chapters had a close working relationship with their local newspapers. If your chapter doesn’t, perhaps you and the chapter reporter might want to explore that possibility. As newspapers face financial challenges, they might welcome the FFA reporter’s help.