Career Development Events

Agricultural Communications | Prepares students for careers in journalism, radio and television broadcast, web design, marketing and more.

Agricultural Sales | Students demonstrate skills in customer relations, advertising and promotion and merchandise displays.

Agronomy | Students must possess an in-depth knowledge of seeds, insects, soils and crops. They must also demonstrate skills in solving complex problems related to crop production.

Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management | Helps students develop skills in dairy cattle selection and herd management.  Participants evaluate the cattle’s physical characteristics, explain their various classes and analyze a herd record as a team.

Environmental and Natural Resources | Includes a national and global issues interview; environmental and natural resources problem solving; soil tests and profiles; air and water analysis; GPS use; waste management; and more.

Farm and Agribusiness Management | Helps students learn business skills and apply economic principles to agricultural businesses.

Floriculture | The Floriculture CDE requires students to identify plants, judge flower arrangements and solve problems. Participants also demonstrate skills in flower arranging, propagation and the preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.

Food Science | The Food Science and Technology CDE requires students to have an in-depth understanding of food product development and presentation and food safety issues. Participants use their sensory skills to solve problems and make sound decisions.

Forestry | The Forestry CDE requires students to demonstrate their skills in diagnosing forest disorders, managing forests and forest inventory and applying approved silviculture practices.

Horse Evaluation | In the Horse Evaluation CDE, students evaluate and rank horses based on breed characteristics, conformation and performance. As a team, students cooperatively solve problems related to equine selection, management, nutrition and production.

Livestock Evaluation | Participants in the Livestock Evaluation CDE cooperatively classify livestock as “keep” or “cull” for market and breeding purposes based on physical characteristics and records.

Meats Evaluation and Technology | In the Meats Evaluation and Technology CDE, students develop the skills needed for careers in the meat animal industry. During the event, members complete a evaluate beef carcasses for quality and yield grade; identify various meat cuts and place carcasses, and identify wholesale and/or retail cuts.

Milk Quality and Products | Participants in the Milk Quality and Products CDE demonstrate their knowledge about the quality production, processing, distribution, promotion and marketing of milk and dairy foods.

Nursery/Landscaping | The Nursery⁄Landscape CDE test students skills in aspects of maintaining landscape plants and related products, evaluating equipment and services, and landscape design.

Poultry Evaluation | The Poultry Evaluation CDE test students’ skills in the production, processing, and marketing of chickens, turkeys, processed poultry products and eggs.

Veterinary Science | The Veterinary Science CDE provides opportunities for participants to develop technical knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the field of veterinary science.

Leadership Development Events (LDEs)

Agricultural Issues | Participants in the Agricultural Issues Forum LDE research the pros and cons of an agricultural issue and present their findings and theories to a panel of judges. The event helps students to develop critical thinking, problem solving and formal communication skills.

Conduct of Chapter Meetings | Each team will consist of seven members from the same chapter. Members will fulfill the duties of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, sentinel and advisor. The member who performs the advisor role in opening ceremonies will participate as a member for the remaining time of the event. Team members must be enrolled in the seventh, eighth or ninth grade at the time of qualification.

Creed Speaking | The Creed Speaking LDE is for FFA members in grades seventh, eighth, and ninth. They must present the FFA Creed from memory and answer questions about its meaning and purpose. The event boosts self-confidence and develops their ability to communicate in a powerful, professional manner.

Employment Skills/Job Interview | Participants in the Employment Skills LDE submit a resume, complete job applications, and participate in mock interviews and practicums with a panel of possible employers.

Extemporaneous Public Speaking | In the extemporaneous Public Speaking LDE, participants are given 30 minutes to deliver a speech on one of three assigned agricultural topics. Students must learn to think on their feet and develop an argument quickly and persuasively.

Parliamentary Procedure | During the Parliamentary Procedure LDE, teams conduct a mock chapter meeting to demonstrate their knowledge of basic parliamentary law and the correct use of parliamentary procedures.

Prepared Public Speaking | During the Prepared Public Speaking LDE, students write and deliver a six-to eight - minute speech about a current agriculture-related topic. The speaking skills gained through this event help students excel in school, community, and career.