International Flying Farmers

The International Flying Farmers are a group that started in 1944 to bond over members' love of flying and life of farming.

Members would meet annually from across the United States and Canada for a week log convention that included races, luncheons, and voting for that year’s President and Queen of The Flying Farmers. In Arizona, air rodeos were organized. It was an event mixing business, social activities, and seminars of interest to promote aviation and agriculture.

At its peak in 1977, the organization had around 11,000 members; as of 2006, the organization has less than half and only 20% of them own airplanes. Most members are now past retirement age and have not flown a plane in years.

In the Arizona Chapter, meetings were held at the San Marcos Hotel.

Arizona’s own involvement in the IFF has made its mark including having national officers. Alexander G. Knox and his brother Lyle Knox, sons of Norman Knox and Barbara Knox, were presidents of the IFF. Just a few Arizona farming and ranching families are left in the organization.