Future Farmers of America denies Christian group exhibit space

The National Future Farmers of America (FFA) has denied the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) permission to exhibit at the upcoming 2026 National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. The FFA cited its terms and conditions, which state that organizations with “political or religious affiliations or advocacy” are ineligible to exhibit, asserting that this policy maintains neutrality and adheres to the Establishment Clause.

Liberty Counsel, representing the FCFI, has issued a legal demand letter challenging the decision. The legal group argues that the exclusion is an “unlawful blanket prohibition on religion” that violates Title II of the Civil Rights Act. According to Liberty Counsel, the FCFI had exhibited at the national expo for decades prior to 2018, when it was reportedly disinvited for failing to meet the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals.

While the FCFI has been permitted to participate in more than 30 state-level FFA events since 2018, it has been barred from all national expo events. Liberty Counsel contends that the FFA’s claim of neutrality is invalid, noting that the organization has previously permitted religious schools to display at the National Expo.