DATE: 7-6-04

CONTACT: Sara Betts, Clemson Center for Apparel Research
864-646-8454, ext. 232

Lee Anne Shiller, National FFA Organization
317-802-4227

John Parris, SC FFA
803-771-0520

WRITER: Debbie Dalhouse, 864-656-6737

CLEMSON APPAREL RESEARCH UNVEILS NEW FFA JACKET DESIGN

CLEMSON – Some 465,000 high school students across the nation will have a new look thanks to Clemson University’s Center for Apparel Research. The center redesigned the famous blue and gold jacket for the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization and will present the new design at a 1:30 news conference today at the University’s Madren Center.

The redesign was led by Sara Betts, a research associate at the Center for Apparel Research. The new design retains the classic look but improves the fit and ease of manufacturing. “By using current FFA members as fit models at each stage of our work and by having a U.S. manufacturer produce our fit samples, we know we have achieved our goals,” said Betts.

Clemson FFA leaders provided students to serve as models during the fitting process for the redesign. The models came from the FFA chapters in Anderson, West Oak, Travelers Rest, and Blue Ridge, SC. These students will also model the jackets in the national catalog that is distributed to 7,200 high schools throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Guam.

“We couldn’t be happier with the plan that Clemson has put together for us and with the progress that is being made,” said Lee Anne Shiller, team leader for the National FFA. “Changing the fit of the jacket is just one of the many things that the National FFA Organization is doing to meet the changing needs of its student members.”

The official jacket, made of blue corduroy with gold lettering, has been worn by FFA members for more than 75 years. The new jackets will be available for students at the national convention in Louisville, KY, in October.

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