For Companies AND Commercial Partners
I Want to Partner with FFA
For businesses that want to carry the emblem, and carry it well.
A Standard License is the path for companies, vendors, and commercial partners who want to produce and sell products carrying the FFA name, emblem, or other trademarks. It is how we extend the blue and gold into the marketplace, while protecting the trust those marks have earned over nearly a century.
Who Needs a Standard License
The Standard License is for businesses, including manufacturers, retailers, decorators, and vendors, that make branded apparel, merchandise, or promotional goods for sale to states, chapters and the general public. It grants the right to use approved FFA trademarks on specific products. Standard royalty terms apply, and the proceeds return to programs for students.
Not a company? FFA members and chapters can use the FFA marks free of charge through the Chapter or SAE Enterprise License instead.
The Standard License at a Glance
What the License Involves
The Standard License covers vendors who make, market, and sell FFA-branded products anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here is what it asks of you:
Fees and Royalties
- $50 annual application or renewal fee.
- 10% royalty on FFA product sales, reported and paid quarterly.
- Officially licensed product holograms, $42 for a roll of 2,000.
Approvals and Coverage
- All product designs are submitted and approved before manufacturing begins.
- At least $1 million in liability insurance, with some products requiring more.
- Coverage across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Affinity has partnered with Simply Business (an insurance provider specifically for small businesses) to provide free quotes for coverage. You can find more information on their help center.
The Licensing Process
How Licensing Works
FFA licensing is managed by our partner, Affinity, through the Affinity Gateway portal. You will handle everything in one place: your application, agreement, designs, and royalty reporting. Here is the path from start to licensed.
- Register for an Affinity Gateway account. This is the online portal used to manage the whole licensing process.
- Submit the online application. Once your account is approved and you have logged in, choose “Licenses,” then “Apply Now.”
- Pay the application fee. Payment is made online by ACH or credit card.
- Upload your Certificate of Insurance. The minimum is a $1 million general and product liability policy naming Affinity and its clients as additional insured. Higher-risk product categories may need more.
- Mail physical product samples. You will get a mailing address after you apply. Samples should represent the quality of your finished product.
- Sign the license agreement. After our team reviews your application, you sign electronically, and the agreement goes to FFA for approval and countersignature.
After You Are Licensed
- Order officially licensed hologram labels and hang tags
- Access official FFA brand assets in the Gateway
- Submit each product design for approval before production
- Report sales and pay royalties every quarter
All licenses renew annually on July 1. This is a summary; every licensee is expected to read the full License Agreement for the complete terms.
Where royalties go
A Royalty Is an Investment
A royalty is a percentage of sales paid to the trademark owner (here, National FFA) for the right to use our intellectual property. It’s standard practice for any organization that licenses its brand. Our rate is 10%, in line with industry norms and down from our original 12%. Royalties fund two things:
License Administration
Trademark registrations and renewals, legal counsel for enforcement, monitoring unauthorized use, managing applications and renewals, reviewing designs for brand compliance, and royalty reporting.
FFA Member Programs
The Washington Leadership Conference, Next Gen Conferences, educational resources, the National FFA Convention & Expo, and other programs that support our members’ growth.
Simply put: when vendors pay royalties, they’re investing directly in the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Licensing: Frequently Asked Questions
What fees are associated with becoming a licensed vendor?
Third-party vendors who wish to create and sell FFA-branded products must apply to become an FFA licensee. Licensee requirements:
- Annual Application or renewal fee of $50
- All designs must be submitted through the Affinity Gateway portal and have brand approval before manufacturing and marketing
- Report FFA product sales and pay royalty fees of 10% quarterly through the Affinity Gateway portal
- Carry $1M in liability insurance; some products may require additional coverage
- Affix licensed product labeling to all products (Purchased from Affinity Licensing for $42 for a roll of 2,000)
Once licensed, the vendor is authorized to create, market, promote, and advertise FFA products throughout the United States, giving them the opportunity to grow their business with FFA products.
How is National FFA licensing structured?
The National FFA Organization manages its trademark program through legal counsel, Ice Miller, LLP. They work with and monitor the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), ensuring we maintain ownership of the organization’s trademarks and contest any filings that infringe on them.
Our licensing program is administered in partnership with Affinity Licensing. Affinity manages licensing contracts, renewals, sales reporting and royalty processing. Affinity also reviews designs based on FFA brand guidelines before sending them to FFA for final review.
You can learn more about Affinity Licensing at https://affinitylicensing.com/.
Ready to Get Started?
Click the button below to start your application.
