New Farmers of America (NFA)
The Retired Educators for Youth Agricultural Programs was founded in 1994 by the late Sam Combs, Jr., W. G. Parker, James R. Johnson, A. W. Hampton and M. E. Gamble.
W. G. Parker (close-up)
These five retired vocational agricultural teachers were startled to learn that not one of the 434 agricultural education teachers in Oklahoma was African-American.
Sam Combs (close-up)
Even though the 353 FFA chapters at that time reached approximately 22,000 students statewide, very few of those students were students of color. REYAP, a statewide nonprofit organization, helps culturally diverse youth in Grades 7-12 realize the personal growth and career opportunities available in the field of agriculture. Originally called Retired Educators for Agricultural Programs, the organization changed its name in 2003 to Retired Educators for Youth Agricultural Programs (REYAP), which is still pronounced REAP.
Leroy Brown
James R. Johnson (portrait shot)