Listed below are all the CDE competitions and is a drop down menu with more information on your contest!

The Agricultural Biotechnology CDE helps FFA members learn about the many parts of the biotechnology industry. It focuses on building basic knowledge, skills, and how biotechnology is used in real jobs. This area is important for animals, plants, food, and medicine. In the event, students will identify tools and materials used in the field, show they understand science and management ideas through a written test, and use what they’ve learned to make observations, draw conclusions, and make decisions based on biotechnology concepts.

The goal of the agricultural communications CDE is to get students excited about learning the basics of agricultural communication. It helps them build strong communication skills and learn how to work well with others to share and promote the importance of agriculture.

The purpose of this program is to help high school agricultural education students learn and understand key areas in agricultural mechanics. These areas include electricity and electrical safety, environmental practices like water quality and soil conservation, machinery and equipment maintenance, metals and welding, and building structures such as plumbing, heating, and ventilation. Students will get hands-on experience using tools and equipment, learn how to find information and solve problems, and practice working safely. The program also helps students build useful skills for future careers in agricultural mechanics, while developing strong teamwork and communication abilities.

The goal is to help students build strong communication skills—spoken, written, and interactive. They will learn how to talk about a product’s features and benefits, understand and handle customer concerns, and explain how the product is used. Students will also learn how to find potential customers using marketing information and how to introduce the product to them. They'll practice planning a sales conversation that focuses on the customer’s needs and questions. In addition, students will gain an understanding of the basic steps needed to sell and deliver a product, work on asking for a final buying decision, and build customer trust and confidence in the product.

The goal is to encourage high school students to learn how to grow and manage crops in Iowa in a way that is efficient, profitable, and good for the environment. Students will build science skills related to how crops are grown, managed, marketed, and used. They'll also learn how to find information, solve problems, and make decisions about crops, soil, and the environment. The program helps students understand how to judge the quality of hay, silage, and grain; how to identify seeds, seedlings, and mature plants of both crops and weeds found in Iowa; and how to manage common crop diseases, insects, and weeds. Overall, students will gain valuable knowledge and skills that can help them in future careers in crop, soil, or environmental sciences.

This program is designed to give agricultural students with an interest in dairy a hands-on learning experience that can help them succeed in dairy-related careers or managing a modern dairy farm. It helps students improve their observation, analysis, and communication skills. Students will also gain experience in judging dairy cattle, reviewing production records, and understanding how dairy herds are managed. Instructors are encouraged to connect with professionals and organizations in the dairy industry—like breed associations, extension staff, breeding services, equipment companies, and local dairy farmers—to support student learning.

The Iowa Envirothon is the official qualifying event for the National FFA Environmental and Natural Resources CDE and the Forestry CDE. To get to the state competition, teams must first compete in a regional Envirothon event. These regional contests take place at different locations across Iowa in March, and the state competition is held in April.

The goal of this event is to help participants show their ability to understand and manage agricultural, farm, and ranch businesses. Students will learn to analyze business information, apply economic principles to decision-making, and evaluate business strategies. They’ll also work together as a team. Key concepts include economic principles like production, costs, opportunity cost, supply and demand, and choosing the right mix of farm activities. Students will also learn how to use records and financial statements to track performance, create budgets, manage cash flow, and handle taxes. Risk management is another major focus, covering things like investments, loans, land and equipment decisions, insurance, and marketing strategies. Participants will explore different market types, business structures, and legal issues such as estate planning, contracts, and government programs. Overall, this event prepares students for real-life decision-making in agricultural business.

The purpose of this event is to encourage students to learn about growing and selling flowers, plants, and greenery through their agricultural education classes. Students will learn how to identify different types of plants, recognize and treat plant problems caused by pests, poor nutrition, or damage. They’ll also explore the science and skills needed for plant growth, including how to grow, care for, harvest, and sell floriculture plants. The event teaches basic floral design, how to use tools and equipment safely, and how to choose the right supplies for greenhouses and flower shops. Students will practice using and maintaining equipment, learn how to work well with others, develop good customer service and sales skills, and keep clear, accurate records.

The goal of this event is to help FFA members explore career opportunities in food science, technology, marketing, and management. It aims to encourage them to develop the skills and knowledge needed for success in these fields. The event also focuses on building technical abilities and personal drive to excel in food science and technology careers.

The Iowa Envirothon competition is the official way to qualify for the National FFA Environmental and Natural Resources CDE and the National FFA Forestry CDE. Teams must first compete in a regional Envirothon event to qualify for the state competition. Regional events take place in different locations across Iowa in March, and the state competition is held in April.

The purpose of the Iowa FFA Horse Evaluation Career Development Event is to encourage students to learn about equine science, including horse selection, management, and production, through their agricultural education classes. It also recognizes students who have developed skills and knowledge in equine science. The event helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills while motivating students to learn. It promotes a competitive spirit and gives participants the chance to meet professionals in the horse industry. Students will also gain knowledge about selecting and managing horses, use industry-specific terminology, and practice evaluating horses based on their appearance and performance.

The goal of this event is to motivate students to learn and practice modern techniques for evaluating and selecting livestock. It helps students develop skills in making decisions about livestock selection and explaining those decisions clearly. The event encourages classroom lessons that reflect real-life situations producers face when choosing meat animals. Students will also learn how to read and understand performance data based on industry standards. The event teaches students how to select livestock that will bring the best financial return to producers while meeting the needs of the industry and consumers. Additionally, students will become skilled in using industry-specific language and understanding the key factors used in marketing livestock.

The goal of this event is to help students understand how to create and present a marketing plan. It provides an activity that highlights the importance of agri-marketing in the curriculum and draws attention to it in the community. Students will have the chance to explore potential careers in agri-marketing while developing valuable skills. The event also aims to strengthen partnerships and improve relationships between agricultural industries, local FFA chapters, and the general public.

The goal of this event is to help students gain the basic knowledge needed for entry-level jobs in the meat animal processing industry. It encourages students to explore careers in this field and motivates them to get involved. The event also helps students develop skills in selecting meat products.

The goal of this event is to help students develop the skills to understand high-quality milk, its production, and how it's marketed. Students will learn about milk production, including regulations, grades, and classes of milk, as well as the process of cooling milk. They'll explore marketing concepts like trends, economics, and supply and demand. The event also covers important topics such as federal milk marketing orders, transportation, cooperatives, and pricing. Students will learn how to identify off-flavors in milk, understand its composition, and recognize quality characteristics like nonfat solids, milkfat, and adulterants like added water. They'll also gain skills in identifying different types of cheese, evaluating milk’s flavor quality, and measuring the amount of fat in milk.

The Iowa FFA Nursery/Landscape CDE covers all aspects of the industry, including producing, marketing, and maintaining landscape plants, such as woody plants, herbaceous plants, and turf grasses, as well as related products, equipment, and services like landscape design. The purpose is to spark interest in careers, help students develop skills, and recognize excellence in nursery practices and landscaping through agricultural education. Students will learn to identify common plant materials used in Iowa, recognize unhealthy plant conditions caused by pests or injuries, and understand the techniques involved in growing and maintaining plants. They’ll also gain knowledge in landscape design and construction, and learn how to select and maintain the right supplies and equipment for nursery and landscape work. Additionally, safety practices in nursery and landscape operations are emphasized.

The Iowa Poultry Career Development Event focuses on learning about poultry production, management, processing, marketing, and food safety. It gives participants the chance to make careful observations and decisions, and then explain their choices both in writing and verbally. Students will also learn how to use industry-specific language, promote USDA quality standards, and understand consumer preferences. They'll explore the importance of value-added poultry products, work together to analyze real-world industry situations, and practice using the technology commonly used in the poultry industry.

The goal is to encourage students to learn about the surface features of land, soil profiles, land productivity, and how to evaluate land use and management practices. Students will also learn how to assess the suitability of soils for non-agricultural purposes. Additionally, they will develop the ability to observe soil properties and use this information to make recommendations for land use.

The purpose of the Veterinary Science Career Development Event is to help students prepare for college and careers by giving them a chance to develop technical knowledge and show practical skills in veterinary science. Participants will practice professional ethics, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. They will also demonstrate technical skills with both small and large animals in areas like anatomy, clinical procedures, animal identification, health and safety, and medical terminology.