On the Front Lines of the Brand

State associations, foundations and chapters (stakeholders) do not need to be licensed, but they must use a licensed vendor to create products bearing the FFA trademark. The vendor must have a license, not the stakeholder.

However, there are many non-commercial uses stakeholders can do with the FFA marks without a license or permission. Look in this FAQ list for What can stakeholders do without permission? to learn more.

The exceptions are member Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs) and school-based enterprises.

Because SAEs and school-based enterprises are core to the FFA mission, we have a special royalty-free license with no application fee. This license allows the member or chapter to use the FFA trademarks to promote their business and on products they create themselves. It’s important to note that the member or chapter must create the FFA product. They may not outsource the production to a non-licensed vendor and simply act as a sales channel. If not creating the products themselves, the chapter or member must acquire their products from a licensed vendor.

EXAMPLE 1: A chapter has a school-based enterprise creating trophies and awards. The work is all done in the chapter’s wood and metal shops. The chapter should apply for an SAE or School-Based License to use the FFA marks.

EXAMPLE 2: A member has an SAE selling trophies and awards. The member designs the trophies, but buys the finished product from a local trophy shop. The member must buy products using FFA marks from a licensed vendor.

SAE and Chapter Enterprise License application

Trademark protection and enforcement are core elements of responsible nonprofit governance and good stewardship under trademark law and IRS standards. For a national 501(c)(3) organization such as FFA:

• Active trademark management is required to maintain trademark rights.
• Failure to police trademarks can weaken or result in loss of legal protections.
• Inconsistent or selective enforcement can create private benefit concerns.
• Neglect may invite IRS scrutiny, legal disputes or reputational harm.

The National FFA Organization’s trademarks, board policy on trademarks, licensing program and brand guidelines work together to provide a framework that:

• Actively protects and controls its intellectual property.
• Applies standards uniformly and non-discriminatorily.
• Avoids improper endorsement, political activity or private benefit.
• Operates a transparent, ethical and lawful licensing program.

Yes. First, there is a special license for Supervised Agricultural Experience projects and school-based enterprises that use FFA marks on products made and sold by members and chapters. Look for the FAQ on this page titled, “Do stakeholders need a license to make and sell FFA-branded items?”

There are three other exceptions:

• The vendor is making an in-kind donation of the FFA-branded product to the FFA entity.
• The vendor and the FFA entity have entered into a commercial co-venture in which a reasonable portion of the purchase price of the FFA item is donated to the FFA entity.
• The item in question isn’t available through ShopFFA or licensed vendors.

You’ll find more information on the exemption request form.

There has been no change in policy, just a renewed effort to ensure its implementation. Any vendor producing goods with FFA marks (even for chapter use) must be licensed. This protects the organization’s trademark rights, tax status, and the integrity of the FFA brand.

All fees and royalties from our licensing are used for the following purposes.

Legal and Licensing Compliance

Royalties help fund the legal expenses necessary to defend and maintain the organization’s trademarks, including:

• Trademark registrations and renewals.
• Legal counsel for trademark enforcement.
• Monitoring and addressing unauthorized uses.

Licensing and Administrative Support

Royalties pay for program administration resources such as:

• Managing vendor applications and renewals.
• Reviewing product designs to ensure brand standards.
• Conducting royalty reporting, auditing and compliance checks.

Supporting the Programs That Support FFA Members

After expenses for brand compliance and licensing, revenue is used to support National FFA programs and events, such as the Washington Leadership Conference, NextGen Conferences, education resources and the National FFA Convention & Expo.

We always urge you to shop first at ShopFFA. For custom designs or products and styles ShopFFA doesn’t carry, explore our licensed vendors found in our marketplace, Corduroy and Co. And of course, you can work directly with a favorite local vendor or longtime partner as long as they become a licensee.

Absolutely, as long as your local vendor obtains a license. They can apply at https://affinity-gateway.com/signup

In U.S. nonprofit tax law, public benefit and private benefit help determine if an organization qualifies for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

Public benefit means the nonprofit exists to benefit the community, such as providing education, food assistance or health services. This is required for tax exemption.

Private benefit occurs when a nonprofit uses or allows others to use its name or property to benefit a specific person, group or business. This distinction is why FFA never endorses a company, product, or political candidate or party. Creating private benefit can lead to a nonprofit losing its tax-exempt status.

In short: nonprofits must serve the public, not private interests.

Our trademarks are considered the organization’s property and assets. If we allow for-profit businesses to create and sell merchandise using our marks (property), even if the customer is an FFA stakeholder, it creates a private benefit for the business: making a profit from using the organization’s property.

That leaves two options for National FFA:

• Only allow FFA trademarks to be used on merchandise sold through ShopFFA.
  This option isn’t realistic because of the number of customized products stakeholders use. It would be very difficult for ShopFFA to fulfill custom T-shirts to over 9,000 chapters, not to mention the other products stakeholders like to dream up. This option would severely limit the variety of designs and products available for FFA stakeholders.
• Manage a licensed product program.
  FFA has had such a program for several decades. In 2025, we partnered with Affinity Licensing to help our small team manage the program.

Protecting the FFA trademarks is the responsibility of every stakeholder. While our partners and staff work diligently every day to identify trademark infringement, it’s impossible for us to find every instance. If you see something that looks like a violation, you can report it using this form.

FFA stakeholders, including state associations, foundations, local chapters, and alumni and supporter groups, may use FFA trademarks for additional items, but these uses require advance written authorization if the stakeholder is manufacturing the item themselves or must be purchased through a licensed FFA vendor:

• Commercial use (merchandise, sales, advertising, sponsorships).
• Co-branding or logo pairing with another organization or business.
• Media and publications, including books, films, documentaries or mass-distributed works.
• External collaborations involving nonmembers, vendors or partners.

The National FFA Organization works with Affinity Licensing to help manage its licensing program. Affinity and National FFA collaborate to monitor and enforce the proper use of the organization’s name, emblem and other trademarks. This partnership ensures that the organization’s brand is used properly and protected from misuse.

Affinity proactively scans marketplaces, social media and the Internet. When violations are found, they contact the infringer and encourage them to apply to become a licensed vendor. Most vendors see the benefits of the program and become licensed.

If the infringer does not want to become a licensee, they are asked to discontinue using the FFA trademarks on products. In the vast majority of cases, the issue ends at this point. If they continue infringing, we escalate to a cease and desist letter and ultimately to legal action if necessary to protect our trademarks.

If your association works with your state government to sell FFA logoed license plates, you do not need permission to add the FFA emblem or letters to those plates. Decorative plates not tied to vehicle licensing or registration need to be produced by a licensed vendor.

No, the National FFA Organization is the sole owner of our trademarks and the only entity that can give permission to any third party to use the marks. All licensing must therefore be managed by National FFA. However, states can recommend preferred vendors to chapters, provided those vendors are officially licensed.

State FFA associations, foundations, alumni and supporter chapters and associations, local chapters, and members have free use of FFA trademarks to identify themselves as part of the National FFA Organization. When using the FFA marks, these stakeholders are required to follow brand standards and use these marks in good taste according to FFA values and ethics.

The following non-commercial, mission-aligned uses are permitted without approval from National FFA:

FFA Identification

• Association, foundation and chapter newsletters and communications.
• Association, foundation and chapter meeting agendas and reports.
• Official association, foundation and chapter event signage and announcements.
• Association, foundation and chapter social media pages and posts.

Educational and Mission-Related Activities

• Association, foundation and chapter program and educational materials.
• Association, foundation and chapter service projects.

All permitted uses of the marks must:

• Support and further the organization’s mission and reputation.
• Avoid confusion about endorsement, sponsorship or official positions.
• Comply with FFA brand standards and guidelines (Brand Guidelines).
• Comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
• When using an FFA mark in printed form, it should be accompanied by the symbol consisting of a small capital letter “R” in a circle to identify it as a registered trademark. All other FFA marks that are not registered but are still FFA trademarks shall be identified by the small capital letters “TM.”

While we all have responsibilities in protecting the FFA name and reputation, we understand that this is a complicated matter and mistakes will happen. We hope that you will vet your suppliers to ensure they are licensed and encourage them to visit this website to apply to be a licensee if they are not.

Ultimately, it is the vendor’s responsibility to follow trademark law. If, in the course of our proactive enforcement routines, we discover a non-licensed product, we will follow our standard enforcement policy with the vendor.