FFA members in seventh through ninth grade present the National FFA Creed from memory and answer three questions related to it.  

Students learn to communicate in a powerful, organized, and professional manner and build self-confidence.  

Only one Freshman each year

During this event, participants draw from 12 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. 

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.

Lead by Mr. Johnson

Students 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.

*Requires a team of 6 to fulfill each officer position. This event is always low on members due to rigor and time commitment, please reach out if interested!*

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. 

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. 

Challenges students to build and demonstrate knowledge in the wide field of agronomy. Participation grants students exposure to many ways that science and technology collaborate to grow the world’s major food crops. 

Teams of four students in this event develop a crop management plan that includes crop selection, production, problem-solving and marketing. Individually, the team members also complete an agronomic knowledge exam, identify and analyze plant and soil types, evaluate commodity quality, demonstrate pest management and equipment knowledge, and discuss an agronomic issue important to crop production.

Students 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. 

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. 

Participants 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.  

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 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. 

Lead by Mrs. Donaldson and Mr. Johnson

Participants tests skills in maintaining landscape plants and related products, evaluating equipment and services and performing landscape design. 

Participants 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. 

Students work in teams to demonstrate their technical competency with small and large animals by completing a written exam, critical-thinking scenario questions, identifications, and hands-on practicums. 

*Participants must have taken Vet Assisting and are in good standing with their internship. Ask Mrs.Donaldson for info. on how to enroll.*

Lead by Mrs. Donaldson and Mr. Ferguson

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.