Contests

FFA offers many varieties of contests that do not have to directly involve your SAE project, including LDEs, CDEs, SDEs, and Agriscience Fairs. 

Below we have listed the contests Brazosport FFA has traditionally participated in, but you can find more on the Texas FFA website.

Leadership Development Events (LDEs) (Fall Contests)

Agricultural Skill Demonstration: A team of 3-5 members performs an actual demonstration of an agricultural skill including anything in the Agricultural Science and Technology curriculum using effective public speaking and communication methods. There are both greenhand and senior levels for this contest.

Public Relations: A team of 2-4 FFA members develops and presents a 5-8 minute program to inform a specified target audience regarding the Texas FFA and what it represents. The presentation is developed assuming that the target audience has no knowledge of the FFA.  Team members are asked questions in response to their program following the presentation.  

Job Interview: At the competition, each member submits their resume, completes a job application for an agricultural position on site and participates in an interview via telephone, in person one-on-one and with a panel of possible employers. 

FFA Creed Speaking (Greenhand, Senior & Spanish Divisions): A member presents the FFA Creed from memory and answers questions about its meaning and purpose. This event is just one way to boost self-confidence, earn recognition, and develop powerful, organized and professional communication skills. There are both greenhand and senior levels for this contest.

Agricultural Quiz: At the senior level, an exam testing team members’ understanding of the FFA, agricultural education, current agricultural events and parliamentary procedure is given.  Teams can be made of 3 or 4 members.  At the greenhand level, an exam testing knowledge of the Grays Guide to Parliamentary Procedure for FFA and FFA knowledge including history, facts, business structure, leadership and programs is given to individuals.  Quiz teams can be made of 3 or 4 members.  

Career Development Events (CDEs) (Spring Contests)

Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems: This event tests both technical and agricultural mechanics skills. A team of three or four members must demonstrate their ability to work with others while solving problems. During the event, members complete a written exam and demonstrate problem-solving and hands-on performance skills. The event takes a “systems” approach and emphasizes machinery and equipment systems, related industry and marketing systems, energy systems, structural systems and environmental/natural resource systems. ***State winning team advances to the national competition that is held during the National FFA Convention in late October.***

Applied Agricultural Engineering: The purpose of the Applied Agricultural Engineering CDE is to promote career and post-secondary readiness by providing opportunities to develop knowledge and demonstrate skills in the field of agricultural engineering.

Floriculture: Classroom knowledge and skills are applied as students identify and evaluate cut flowers, house plants, flowering plants, floral designs and complete an exam that tests their knowledge of floral design, propagation as well as preparation of floral and foliage products for sale. 

Tractor Technician: In this three part competition, team members appraise components and parts of tractors and agricultural implements and make recommendations for services needed and not needed, complete a written exam and finally the team of three members, working as a group, will compete in locating and correcting five deliberately placed malfunctions in diesel fueled tractors and safely navigate the repaired tractor through a driving course within the 25 minute time limit. ***Begins in fall semester.***

Veterinary Science: 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. 

Speaking Development Events (SDEs) (Spring Contests)

Extemporaneous Public Speaking: Members learn how to think on their feet and make a case quickly and persuasively.  Contestants are given 30 minutes to prepare a speech on one of three randomly selected agricultural topics.  After delivering the speech, contestants may be asked questions about their speech and topic.

Junior Prepared Public Speaking: Each contestant writes and delivers a five to eight minute speech about a current agricultural subject of their choice. Participants are then rated based on the written speech, speech delivery and their answers to judges’ questions.

Senior Prepared Public Speaking: Each contestant writes and delivers a five to eight minute speech about a current agricultural subject of their choice. Participants are then rated based on the written speech, speech delivery and their answers to judges’ questions.

Senior Prepared Public Speaking Divisions are as follows: 

• Animal Science: Participants may choose any current or future subject that deals with any aspect of the industries of dairy, equine, poultry, sheep, swine, beef, specialty animals, embryo transfer, etc.

• Plant Science: Participants may choose any current or future subject that deals with any aspect of horticulture and/or agronomy industries. This may include such areas as floriculture, fruit and or/vegetable production, nursery operations, turf and landscape management, crop production, specialty crop production, etc.

• Natural Resources: Participants may choose any current or future subject that deals with topics such as soil, water, air, rural water, wildlife, forestry, aquaculture, conservation, recreation, recycling, energy, environmental issues, etc.

• Agribusiness: Participants may choose any current or future subject that deals with topics such as cooperatives, sales, service, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, commodities, futures, hedging, advertising, online marketing program, etc.

• Agricultural Policy: Participants may choose any current or future subject that deals with topics such as domestic farm issues, international trade, rural economic development, politics, animal rights, law, subsidies, price supports, etc.

• Agriculture Technology and Communications: Participants may choose any current or future subject that deals with topics such as biotechnology, biogenetics, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, farm safety, use of technology, research, laser, satellites, computers, journalism, communications, social media, public relations, etc.

Soil Stewardship Prepared Public Speaking: Contestants write and deliver a six- to eight-minute speech in accordance with the year’s theme selected by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.  Prior to competition the speech must be presented to the local chapter and to at least one civic or school group if competing above the district level.