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. 

The purpose of the Vegetable Crop Judging Contest is to create interest and promote understanding in the vegetable crop industry by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It is the intention of the contest to provide a venue for students to explore career opportunities, skills and proficiencies in the vegetable crop industry. The emphasis of this contest is to promote critical thinking, evaluation, oral and identification skills.

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.

The objective of the Best Informed Greenhand (CDE) contest is to understand the aims, purposes, history, and structure of the Local, State, and National FFA student organizations and know the opportunities it makes available as referenced in the current National FFA Manual and State Constitution.

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 an 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.  

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.