Prepared Public Speaking- Individual Event
During the Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE), students write and deliver a six to eight-minute speech about a current agriculture-related topic.
Students research a topic of interest and then put together a creative, informative speech. The speech is then presented to a panel of judges, who score the student based on the speech’s content, composition and delivery.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Creed Speaking- Individual Event
“I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds…” The National FFA Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event (LDE) recognizes outstanding FFA members in seventh through ninth grades for their ability to present the National FFA Creed from memory and answer three questions related to it.
The FFA Creed outlines the organization’s values and beliefs regarding the industry of agriculture, FFA membership, and citizenship and patriotism. Students participating in the Creed Speaking LDE learn to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner and build self-confidence.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Job Interview-Individual Event
Participants in the National FFA Employment Skills Leadership Development Event (LDE) get a leg up on their future careers by developing the skills needed to seek employment in the industry of agriculture.
This LDE simulates real-world activities used by employers and tests students’ ability to perform effectively throughout the employment process. Students submit a cover letter and resume; complete an application and a telephone interview; and participate in a preliminary face–to–face interview. Students also experience a networking activity that could include an elevator pitch, a meal function or participating at a trade show event and receive a telephone offer where they negotiate for their job opportunity.
In this LDE, students will use many leadership skills including active listening, problem–solving and decision making as well as improve their written and oral communication skills. This event also helps students in their current search for jobs, internships, and part-time and full-time employment in any career field.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Conducts of Meetings- Team Event 7-9 people
The Conduct of Chapter Meetings Leadership Development Event (LDE) introduces FFA members to parliamentary procedure as they learn how to conduct efficient meetings and build their communication skills.
Designed for FFA members in seventh, eighth and ninth grade, this LDE challenges a team of seven students from one chapter to demonstrate correct use of FFA opening and closing ceremonies. Students will learn to communicate and participate effectively as a team while growing skills in effective decision making.
Members assume various officer duties (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, sentinel and advisor) during the event presentation that is evaluated by a team of judges. Additionally, each participant is challenged by a written exam about officer duties, meeting room preparation and parliamentary procedure.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Extemporaneous Public Speaking- Individual Event
Students participating in the Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event showcase their agricultural knowledge and ability to think on their feet by giving a speech and answering questions with limited prep time.
During this event, participants draw from 18 agricultural topics then select three of interest. From those three, a student selects the topic of their speech and has 30 minutes to prepare using five resources. Participants then present a four to six-minute speech on their topic to a panel of judges. After their speech, students answer five minutes worth of questions on the topic they just presented.
This event challenges students to practice their presentation skills, articulation, and logical thinking and advocate for agriculture and agricultural education.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Parliamentary Procedure- team event 5-6 people
Students participating in the Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event (LDE) are evaluated on their ability to conduct an orderly and efficient meeting using parliamentary procedure.
Participants are judged on their knowledge of parliamentary law and their ability to present logical, realistic and convincing debate and motions.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Ag Broadcasting- Individual Event
This event is intended to foster an understanding and create an interest in the field of broadcast journalism.
The broadcast must be five minutes in length, including the commercial. A range of 15 seconds before or after five minutes is acceptable. A one-half point per second of overtime (over 5:15) or under time(under 4:45) will be deducted from the score.The participant must introduce himself/herself by their name and as being affiliated with the radio
station KFFA. If the participant does not give their name, uses any other call letters, or no call letters in the presentation to identify the station, five points will be deducted from the score.
A 28-30 second commercial will be presented in the course of the broadcast. A one-half point per second of overtime and under time will be deducted from the score. See the resource information section for suggestions related to how to mention the sponsor name outside of the timed commercial. The commercial sponsor can be mentioned out of the actual commercial utilizing the “mentioning a sponsor” section under resource information located later in these rules.The commercial must not advertise any recognized commercial products. Fictitious product of services must be advertised. Any incidental duplication of existing products or services is up to the discretion of the judges. The commercial can be written prior to the event and may be taken into the event room and used in competition.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Ag CSI- Middle School Team Event- Teams of 4-6
This experiential-learning career development event is designed as a classroom activity to emphasize career exploration and integration of academics. Learning activities will focus on: agricultural literacy, career exploration, personal development, and integration of academics. Participation in this activity is also designed to fulfill the SAE component of middle school FFA membership.
Research on growing plants in extremely dry conditions and present to a panel of judges in the form of a skit.
This is a District & State Level Event.
Ag Impact- Middle School Team Event- teams of 4-6
Presention about the importance of agriculture in Iowa.
Each team will prepare a typed, four (4) page research paper outlining the teams plans to address the topic for the year. Each team member will take an active role during the live presentation. Points will be awarded to teams that equally share responsibility in the presentation. Each team will deliver a ten (10) to twelve (12) minute presentation outlining why agriculture industry is important in the given topic area. Teams should utilize visual materials that will enhance their presentation.
This is a District & State Level Event.
Ag Issues and Perceptions- Team even of 3-7 members
The purpose of the agricultural issues forum is to present a current issue to a public audience. Students will engage in the selection, research, planning and presentation of a local, state, national or international agricultural issue with relevance to a chapter’s local community.
This is a District, State & National Level Event.
Ag Sales- Individual Event
The purpose of this event is to prepare FFA members in developing skills and techniques important toward becoming successful salespersons of agricultural products.
Each participant will sell one agricultural product that he/she brings to the event and/or the necessary materials such as pamphlets and sales bulletins. The participants will sell to one of the judges that has assumed the active role of the customer and this judge shall role-play the ag sales situation. (The same judge will assume the role of the customer for all participants.) The participant must attempt to bring the sale to a close.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Chapter Program of Events- Team of 2-3
This event is designed to emphasize group activity and accomplishments, and to recognize cooperative undertakings and leadership, growing out of an organized program in schools and communities. Its importance is indicated by the fact that the event is based on the chapter program and achievements for the event year beginning January 1st and running through December 31st of the previous year and involves the entire chapter membership. The target audience for this CDE is a formal, professional adult audience. For example: school board meeting, Farm Bureau meeting, etc. Evaluation of this CDE should be based in part on
the appropriateness of the materials and presentation for the aforementioned audience.
This is a Sub-District, District & State Level Event.
Chapter Website
This event is provided to encourage the development of a website to promote the local FFA chapter. It is designed to stimulate the technological implementation of computer skills and webpage design. Individually, any number of members may be responsible for the development of the website
Experience the Action- Team event 2-5
This event is designed to emphasize the major exciting aspects of Agricultural Education and the FFA. By participating in this activity, chapters should develop enthusiastic presentations, which market Ag Ed/FFA. Its purpose is to motivate students to enroll in Ag Ed programs and become FFA members. In addition, this program may serve to inform and educate the general public regarding the benefits and activities of Ag Ed/FFA programs.
This is a District & State Level Event.
Greenhand Quiz- Individual Event
This is a great way to test your knowledge of the FFA!
Two 1st year members in FFA can be selected to participate in the State FFA Greenhand Quiz. The members must be in 9th grade. The questions will be of three types: Multiple Choice, True or False, One Word Completion (fill-in-the-blank). There will be 100 questions of the State FFA Greenhand Quiz, worth 1 point each.