NAAE seeks to advance agricultural education and promote the professional interests and growth of agriculture teachers as well as recruit and prepare students who have a desire to teach agriculture. The organization is dedicated to developing professional pride and competency, to nourishing a spirit of unity among classroom teachers, and to recognizing members for conducting outstanding programs. It monitors governmental affairs affecting agricultural education and assists in the development of priorities and strategies to effect federal legislation and appropriations.
NAAE is committed to advancing, in our organization and communities, inclusion, diversity and equity. The choice to create a just and equitable organization is not accidental. We intentionally prioritize fostering an inclusive environment that ensures people are respected and valued. We are committed to creating and supporting programs and policies that build an organization that values open communication and is respectful of differences.
NAAE's strategic plan is a working document that guides the activities of NAAE committees, staff and board of directors. Strategic plan
An important part of our strategic plan is partnering with other educational organizations to ensure the supply of qualified agricultural educators as well as to support agricultural educators in their professions. Our partner organizations include the National FFA Organization and The National Council for Agricultural Education.
Agricultural educators who had formed state associations for agricultural educators organized the National Vocational Agricultural Teachers' Association (NVATA) in 1948 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1997 at the annual NVATA convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, the name of the organization was changed to the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE). The NAAE is a quasi-federation of 50 state agricultural educators associations. The governing body of the organization consists of a board of directors with a president, president elect, and six regional vice presidents. Today, more than 9,000 agricultural educators are members of NAAE.
