I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds - achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

The FFA Creed was written in 1928 and was adopted at the third National Convention in 1930. It was revised at the 38^th and 63^rd National Conventions so that its meaning could stay up to date. The author of the creed, Mr. Erwin Milton Tiffany, was a professor at the University of Wisconsin. Tiffany wrote the creed so members of the FFA would have something to look upon as a “blueprint for success.”

The creed consists of five paragraphs with each paragraph beginning with the words “I believe”. Greenhand FFA members (freshman in high school) memorize the five paragraphs as a part to receive their Greenhand Degree as well as to participate in the FFA Creed Recitation contest. Participants recite the five paragraphs to a panel of judges then answer a series of three questions which all relate to the meaning of the creed. For example, “Why do you believe in the future of agriculture?” or “What does the statement “best traditions of our national life” mean?”. The FFA Creed has and is the foundation on which the National FFA Organization was built.