CDE (Career Development events)

 Students competing in the Agricultural Sales Career Development Event (CDE) gain experience and skills essential to the production and marketing of agricultural products. The team event illustrates related careers and offers a firsthand look at developing product knowledge and driving sales.

Each team in the Agricultural Sales CDE consists of four students with each person’s effort contributing to the team’s final score. Teams are provided a example product, product information and customer profiles at the start of the event from which they collaboratively develop a sales plan. Judges then evaluate the collaboration process and the team’s final sales plan. Individuals also complete a written exam that tests sales concept knowledge.

This CDE is particularly suited to students interested in future careers involving sales and marketing, while also growing student skills in customer relations, advertising and sales concepts.

 Participants in the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) work as a team of communication consultants to develop a written media plan, present the plan to a panel of judges, and, as individuals, apply what they have learned during practicums, a quiz and editing exercise. 

This team CDE challenges students to communicate effectively while advocating to consumers about agriculture and telling the FFA story. Students will use a variety of media in their plans—social media, broadcast and print advertising, press releases, fliers, brochures, blogging, displays and more. 

Communication, collaboration, creativity and presentation skills are important to event success. Students also learn a variety of technical skills such as journalistic and opinion writing, website design, video production, social media and more. 

 The Agriscience Fair allows students to apply scientific principles to real-world agricultural topics through research projects. Participants work individually or in teams to investigate areas like animal science, plant science, environmental systems, or ag engineering. Students present their findings through a written report and visual display, then explain their project to judges. This event builds research, communication, and critical thinking skills — perfect for future scientists, veterinarians, and ag leaders.

 The Floriculture Career Development Event (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.

This four-person team event is designed to create an interest in career preparation for all current and future aspects of the floriculture industry through leadership development and hands on technical skill development using industry standards that are delivered through the agricultural education curriculum. Teams are judged on their ability to perform an assignment similar to one routinely performed in the floriculture industry. Additionally, individual members are called up to contribute to the team’s effort by completing events such as a general floriculture examination, an identification of plant materials and equipment, a problem-solving exercise, a practicum, a job interview and a floral arrangement.This event builds skills that are important to careers in greenhouse and field production management, garden center and floral shop management and floral design management. Students who excel show a well-rounded knowledge of horticulture, the cultivation of flowering and ornamental plants and the floral industry..

 Participants in the Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event (CDE) tests students skills in maintaining landscape plants and related products, evaluating equipment and services and performing landscape design.

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

Students in this event participate in both team and individual activities. As a team, students respond to a product development scenario describing the need for a new or redesigned product that appeals to a potential market segment. The team’s task is to design a new food product or reformulate an existing product based on information contained within the product development scenario. The team also completed a food safety and sanitation activity. As individuals, an objective test, a problem solving practicum and a food safety practicum are completed to count towards the team score.

This event reaches students in an area of agriculture that’s continuing to grow in all aspects. By exposing students to issues in food science and technology, students gain experience that prepares them for traditional and non-traditional careers.

 The Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event (CDE) provides competing students an opportunity gain awareness and demonstrate knowledge in areas that affect our air, soil and water. Competitors interpret data, use measuring devices in the field and work through real-life scenarios involving environmental threats in pursuit of scoring the highest as a team and individual.

Each team consisting of four FFA members competes in all types of weather conditions – just like professionals working the environmental and natural resource industry – in pursuit of recognition for demonstrating skills relevant to GPS navigation, soil science, water management and wildlife conservation. The competitors produce written statements and an oral presentation and must exhibit competency via writing and identification activities. Through these challenges, students develop interest and knowledge in sustainable management of our environment and will become the future stewards of resources critical to the future of agriculture.

 The Forestry CDE introduces students to the science and management of forests and natural resources. Participants demonstrate skills in tree identification, tool use, compass and pacing, timber cruising, and understanding forestry practices. This event helps students develop knowledge in conservation, environmental stewardship, and forestry careers, while building teamwork and decision-making skills.

 During the Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE), students work within teams to rank breeding and market classes of beef, sheep and swine and give oral reasons to back up their decisions. 

Students participating in this CDE make accurate and logical observations of livestock, decide on the desirable traits in marketing and breeding livestock, and select and market livestock that will satisfy consumer demands and provide increased economic returns to producers. Understanding what makes a good market or breeding beef, sheep or swine is valuable knowledge for the decisions every livestock producer has to make. This CDE also encourages students to communicate proficiently, interpret data and work as a team — skills that translate into other career opportunities. 

 Students who participate in the National FFA Horse Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) gain new insights into equine science by evaluating and ranking horses based on breed characteristics, conformation and performance. Participants defend their decisions through oral reasons in front of a panel of judges. In this team CDE, students solve problems related to everything from the nutrition and reproduction of horses to the tack/equipment and feed used to care for horses. Participants strengthen their leadership, observation, analysis, critical thinking and communication skills while also developing and exercising a competitive team spirit and building an awareness of career opportunities within the equine industry.

 The Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Career Development Event (CDE) 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.

Teams of our four students develop skills in observation, analysis, communication and team communication through this competitive CDE. Each participant contributes to the team’s total score through both team and individual activities. For the team exercise, judges provide a dairy farm management scenario with problems and solutions that must be identified as if they were a hired consultant advising a dairy producer. As individuals, team members complete a general knowledge exam, evaluate and select six dairy animal classes, and provide oral reasons. Students in this event gain a greater understanding of dairy cattle management and become knowledgeable in areas that include animal welfare, biosecurity, business management, current issues, environmental management and safety practices.

 In the Veterinary Science Career Development Event (CDE), students working in teams demonstrate their technical competency with small and large animals by completing a written exam, critical-thinking scenario questions, identifications and hands-on practicums. 

 Participants in the Meats Evaluation and Technology Career Development Event (CDE) delve into the science of meat. During this team event, students evaluate beef carcasses for quality and yield grade; identify various meat cuts and place carcasses; and identify wholesale and/or retail cuts. 

This event is ideal for students who are interested in exploring or pursuing career opportunities in the meat animal industry. Students are challenged to develop analytical skills,  critical–thinking strategies and effective communication skills. 

 Participants in the Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) select live meat-type chickens for broiler breeding, evaluate and place live egg-type hens, and rate the finished product by evaluating and grading ready-to-cook carcasses and parts of chickens and turkeys. 

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

 The Ag Mechanics CDE challenges students to apply technical skills in areas like welding, electrical systems, plumbing, small engines, and tool operation. Participants complete hands-on tasks, solve real-world problems, and interpret blueprints or technical manuals. This event develops critical thinking, safety awareness, and mechanical abilities — preparing students for careers in agricultural engineering, mechanics, and technical trades.

 In the Marketing Plan Career Development Event (CDE) participants develop practical marketing skills while creating and presenting a marketing plan for a local agribusiness. 

In this competitive CDE, teams of three students research and present a marketing plan for an agricultural product, supply or service in front of a panel of judges. The plan should provide a reasonable and logical solution to a marketing problem. Although only three individuals are on a team, any number of students may assist with the primary and secondary research. This CDE allows students to explore and prepare for possible careers in agrimarketing and develop partnerships within agriculture, their local FFA chapters and with the community.

 The Farm and Agribusiness Management Career Development Event (CDE) helps students learn business skills and apply economic principles to agricultural businesses. By competing, participants demonstrate their ability to analyze agricultural business management information, apply economic principles and concepts of business management, evaluate business management decisions and work together cooperatively as a team. This team CDE requires four members to collaborate through decision-making and problem analysis skills to reach a final written or oral report. Additionally, each team participant completes an individual written activity. The four team members’ scores plus the team activity score count toward the total team score. Students competing in this event gain a wide appreciation of farm and agribusiness practices, ranging from business structure to succession planning and from cost concepts to risk management.

 In the Land Evaluation CDE, students learn how to evaluate soil types and land characteristics to determine the best use for farming, building, and conservation. Participants analyze factors such as soil texture, slope, erosion, and drainage to classify land and recommend proper land management practices. This event builds skills in environmental science, agriculture, and natural resource conservation — essential for careers in agronomy, soil science, and land management.