Competitive Events

Agricultural Communications

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (4 Members)

The purpose of the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event is to provide individuals with practical communications skills necessary to pursue career opportunities in agricultural communications. Public communications about agricultural products, practices and policies are essential to the future of agriculture. Students who are equipped with strong communication skills, have developed teamwork skills and who can use a variety of media to help the public understand issues related to the industry of agriculture have a bright future in the job market.

Event Highlights: develop and present an agriculture-related media plan

• AP Study Guide
• Submit Portfolio
• Media Plan Scenario

Agricultural Education

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Individual

The purpose of the Agricultural Education Career Development Event is to provide individuals with basic skills necessary for a career as an agricultural educator. Teaching agriculture involves teaching students about applications of science, management, leadership, and technology in the food, fiber, natural resource industry. Teaching methods emphasize hands on approaches where application of skills and knowledge is central to lesson presentations. Agricultural Education strives to make learning enjoyable, meaningful and lasting. Agriculture Education incorporates classroom and laboratory instruction, supervised agricultural experiences (SAE), and the FFA to allow for the personal development of students both inside and outside the classroom to better prepare them for success in life.

Event Highlights: create and demonstrate an agriculture lesson plan

• Lesson Plan Template
• Submit Lesson Plans

Agricultural Issues Forum

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-7 Members)

The Agricultural Issues Leadership Development Event is designed to provide an opportunity to expose a wide variety of students to the selection, research, planning and presentation of an agricultural issue, acquire knowledge and skills in community leadership for present and future use and become knowledgeable of, and familiar with a variety of local, state, national and international issues facing agriculture.

Event Highlights: Develop agricultural issue portfolio and agricultural issue presentation

• Submit Portfolio

Agricultural Sales

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Agricultural Sales Career Development Event is to evaluate skills that are essential for an individual to be successful in the agricultural sales field. The process of selling agricultural products is essential for production and marketing of agricultural products.

Event Highlights: Participate in an team and individual sales activity based on provided product information

Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems

Power, Structural and Technical Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

This event is designed to stimulate learning in the five areas of the agricultural mechanics industry:  machinery and equipment systems, electrical systems, energy systems, structural systems and environmental and natural resource systems.

Event Highlights: complete hands-on practicums including but not limited to electrical wiring, measuring materials, welding & cutting, engine components, etc.

Aquaculture

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Aquaculture Career Development Event (CDE) is to stimulate student interest in the aquaculture industry, encourage aquaculture instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skills and competencies in the area of aquaculture management.  Florida has a unique and diverse aquaculture industry which includes the culture of tropical ornamental fish, aquatic plants, clams, shrimp, alligators, tilapia, catfish, live rock, and other assorted aquatic animals.

Event Highlights: Present a team presentation based on a given aquaculture topic, identify aquatic species, analyze water quality, design & troubleshoot aquatic systems, and identify & treat aquatic disease, pests & predators

Citrus

Plant Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Citrus Career Development Event stimulates learning activities to the production and management of citrus fruit.

Event Highlights: identify various citrus diseases/disorders, pests, pathogens, parasites & predators, common weeds and citrus rootstocks, leaves & fruit

Conduct of Chapter Meetings

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School/Middle School (grades 7-9), Team (7 Members)

The purpose Conduct of Chapter Meeting Leadership Development Event is to introduce seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade FFA members to parliamentary procedure as they learn how to conduct efficient meetings and build their communication skills. 

Event Highlights: perform an ability of parliamentary procedure, perform opening/closing ceremonies, written exam and oral questions

Creed Speaking

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School/Middle School (grades 7-9), Individual

The Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event develops the public speaking abilities of FFA members as well as develop their self confidence and contribute to their advancement in the FFA degree program.

Event Highlights: recite the FFA Creed and answer questions regarding its impact and history

Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Dairy CDE is to provide a competitive event for agricultural education students, emphasizing skills in dairy cattle evaluation, selection and dairy herd management.

Event Highlights: evaluate dairy cattle, read and interpret dairy cattle herd records

Discussion Meet 

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Individual 

The FFA Discussion Meet Leadership Development Event is designed to simulate a committee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each participant. The purpose of the Discussion Meet Leadership Development event is to build basic discussion skills, develop a keen understanding of important agricultural issues and explore how groups can pool knowledge to reach consensus and solve problems. 

Event Highlights: participate in a discussion panel on a selected agricultural topic

Employment Skills

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Individual

The Employment Skills Leadership Development Event is designed for FFA members to develop, practice, and demonstrate skills needed for employment in the agriculture industry. Each part of the event simulates, as closely as possible, real-world activities that real-world employers use. 

Event Highlights: Complete a job application, develop a cover letter & resume, participate in a telephone & personal interview and write a follow-up letter

• Job Application and Resume Upload (Required)

Environmental Science & Natural Resources

Natural Resource Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Environmental Science and Natural Resources Career Development Event is to stimulate student interest and to promote environmental and natural resource instruction in the agricultural education curriculum and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skills and competencies as a result of environmental and natural resource instruction.

Event Highlights: present a team presentation on about a given environmental/natural resource problem, identify common plants, wildlife, reptiles/amphibians, fish and more, analyze water quality, complete a soil nutrient test,and determine locations through the use of GPS

Extemporaneous Public Speaking

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Individual

The Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event is designed to develop the ability of all FFA members to express themselves on a given subject without having prepared or rehearsed its content in advance, therefore causing FFA members to formulate their remarks for presentation in a very limited amount of time.

Event Highlights: develop a 4-6 minute speech on a randomly selected agricultural topic within the 30 minute time limit and present the speech to a panel of judges

Farm & Agribusiness Management

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

This event provides competition that fosters information assimilation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to successfully manage a farm or pursue farm business management careers. The Farm & Agribusiness Management Career Development Event enhances and encourages opportunities for all participants to receive instruction that develops farm business management skills.

Event Highlights: complete a written exam based on problematic situations including a problem solving analysis section

Floriculture

Plant Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Floriculture Career Development Event is designed to create an interest in career preparation for all current and future aspects of the floriculture industry through leadership development and hands on technical skill development using industry standards that are delivered through the agricultural education curriculum. 

Event Highlights: Identify common floriculture plants, participate in a hands-on floriculture live practicum, price floriculture products and properly handling common customer complaints

Food Science & Technology

Food Products and Processing Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

This event is designed to promote learning activities in food science and technology related to the food industry and to assist students in developing practical knowledge of principles used in a team decision-making process.

Event Highlights: develop and market a new or redesigned food product as a team, complete a food triangle test, identify aromas, address food safety and quality through customer inquiries

Forestry

Natural Resource Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Forestry CDE is to stimulate student interest in forestry, to promote forestry instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency as a result of forestry instruction.

Event Highlights: identify tree species, forest equipment & disorders, evaluate timber to determine wood volume, interpret topographical maps, and complete a compass and pacing practicum

Horse Evaluation

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Horse Evaluation and Selection Career Development Event is designed to stimulate the study of and interest in, equine science selection while providing recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency in this area.

Event Highlights: evaluate halter and performance classes of horses and defend your placings through oral reasons

Land Evaluation

Natural Resource Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Land Evaluation CDE is designed to stimulate learning activities related to soils and their best use.

Event Highlights: Evaluate soil pits and complete a homesite evaluation

Livestock Evaluation

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event stimulates learning activities related to the production and marketing of cattle, sheep and swine.

Event Highlights: evaluate classes of market & breeding cattle, swine, sheep & goats, and defend your placings through oral reasons

Meats Evaluation

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Meats Evaluation Career Development Event is designed to stimulate learning activities related to the processing of beef, pork and lamb carcasses, including retail cut identification and factors affecting meat quality.

Event Highlights: Identify retail cuts of beef, pork & lamb, evaluate classes or retail cuts, beef & pork carcasses, wholesale cuts and determine beef quality & yield grades

Milk Quality & Products

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event aims to promote practical learning activities in milk quality and dairy products while assisting students in developing team decision-making skills.

Event Highlights: The Milk Quality and Products CDE focuses on raw milk quality, dairy products, federal milk marketing orders and attributes of selected milk products.

Nursery & Landscape

Plant Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event is designed to stimulate learning activities related to nursery practices and landscaping including the identification of plants, insects, and diseases.

Event Highlights: Identify common nursery plants, pests & tools, interpret landscape plans, evaluate landscaping jobs, identify and control plant disorders and perform equipment maintenance

Ornamental Horticulture Demonstration

Plant Systems Career Pathway
High School, Individual or Team (2 Members)

The Ornamental Horticulture Demonstration Career Development Event is  designed to stimulate careful planning, thorough knowledge and the ability to explain, by work and action, the “how and why” of various horticulture practices.

Event Highlights: develop and present a 7-10 minute presentation about various areas of the ornamental horticulture industry

Parliamentary Procedure

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (6 Members)

The purpose of the Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event is to encourage students to learn to effectively participate in a business meeting and to assist in the development of their leadership skills.

Event Highlights: conduct a portion of a business meeting using correct parliamentary law

Poultry Evaluation

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Poultry Career Development Event stimulates learning related to the production, processing, marketing and consumption of poultry products.

Event Highlights: evaluate live birds, grade ready to cook broilers, grades for interior & exterior quality, identify poultry carcass parts

Prepared Public Speaking

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School, Individual

The Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event is designed to develop agricultural leadership by providing for member participation in agricultural public speaking activities and stimulating interest in leadership and citizenship.

Event Highlights: develop a 6-8 minute speech about an agricultural topic of your choice and present the speech to a panel of judges

• Submit Manuscript

Safe Tractor Operation & Maintenance

Power, Structural and Technical Systems Career Pathway
High School, Individual

The Safe Tractor Operation and Maintenance Career Development Event is designed to develop the ability of all FFA members to demonstrate the knowledge and ability as related to the maintenance and safe operation skills of tractors.

Event Highlights: demonstrate a knowledge of safe tractor operations and demonstrate the ability to drive a tractor and attached implement through a predetermined course

Vegetable Evaluation

Plant Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Vegetable Evaluation Career Development Event is designed to test skills and knowledge of students in the area of vegetable production and management.

Event Highlights: evaluate classes of vegetables, identify kinds & varieties of vegetables, insects, diseases, weeds and seeds

Veterinary Science

Animal Systems Career Pathway
High School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Veterinary Science CDE is to provide students with an opportunity to develop and demonstrate knowledge and skills for both companion animal and livestock within the veterinary industry.

Event Highlights: identify breeds of livestock & companion animals, equipment & instruments preform common veterinarian skills including: applying/removing a gauze restraint muzzle, wrapping a surgical gown, canine cardiopulmonary resuscitation and preparing an animal for surgery

Aquaculture

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Aquaculture Career Development Event (CDE) is to stimulate student interest in the aquaculture industry, encourage aquaculture instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skills and competencies in the area of aquaculture management.  Florida has a unique and diverse aquaculture industry which includes the culture of tropical ornamental fish, aquatic plants, clams, shrimp, alligators, tilapia, catfish, live rock, and other assorted aquatic animals.

Event Highlights: Present a team presentation based on a given aquaculture topic, identify aquatic species, analyze water quality, design & troubleshoot aquatic systems, and identify & treat aquatic disease, pests & predators

Citrus

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Citrus Career Development Event stimulates learning activities to the production and management of citrus fruit.

Event Highlights: identify various citrus diseases/disorders, pests, pathogens, parasites & predators, common weeds and citrus rootstocks, leaves & fruit

Conduct of Chapter Meetings

Agribusiness Systems Career Pathway
High School/Middle School (grades 7-9), Team (7 Members)

The purpose Conduct of Chapter Meeting Leadership Development Event is to introduce seventh-, eighth-, and ninth-grade FFA members to parliamentary procedure as they learn how to conduct efficient meetings and build their communication skills.

Event Highlights: perform an ability of parliamentary procedure, perform opening/closing ceremonies, written exam and oral questions

Creed Speaking

High School/Middle School (grades 7-9), Individual

The Creed Speaking Leadership Development Event develops the public speaking abilities of FFA members as well as develop their self confidence and contribute to their advancement in the FFA degree program.

Event Highlights: recite the FFA Creed and answer questions regarding its impact and history

Dairy Cattle Evaluation & Management

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Dairy CDE is to provide a competitive event for agricultural education students, emphasizing skills in dairy cattle evaluation, selection and dairy herd management.

Event Highlights: evaluate dairy cattle, read and interpret dairy cattle herd records

Extemporaneous Public Speaking

Middle School, Individual

The Extemporaneous Public Speaking Leadership Development Event is designed to develop the ability of all FFA members to express themselves on a given subject without having prepared or rehearsed its content in advance, therefore causing FFA members to formulate their remarks for presentation in a very limited amount of time.

Event Highlights: develop a 3-5 minute speech on a randomly selected agricultural topic within the 30 minute time limit and present the speech to a panel of judges

Farm & Agribusiness Management

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

This event provides competition that fosters information assimilation, critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to successfully manage a farm or pursue farm business management careers. The Farm & Agribusiness Management Career Development Event enhances and encourages opportunities for all participants to receive instruction that develops farm business management skills.

Event Highlights: complete a written exam based on problematic situations including a problem solving analysis section

Floriculture

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Floriculture Career Development Event is designed to create an interest in career preparation for all current and future aspects of the floriculture industry through leadership development and hands on technical skill development using industry standards that are delivered through the agricultural education curriculum.

Event Highlights: develop a 3-5 minute speech on a randomly selected agricultural topic within the 30 minute time limit and present the speech to a panel of judges

Food Science & Technology

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Food Science and Technology CDE is designed to promote learning activities in food science and technology related to the food industry and to assist students in developing practical knowledge of principles used in a team decision-making process.

Event Highlights: develop and market a new or redesigned food product as a team, complete a food triangle test, identify aromas, address food safety and quality through customer inquiries

Forestry

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The purpose of the Forestry CDE is to stimulate student interest in forestry, to promote forestry instruction in the agricultural education curriculum, and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency as a result of forestry instruction.

Event Highlights: identify tree species, forest equipment & disorders, evaluate timber to determine wood volume, interpret topographical maps, and complete a compass and pacing practicum

Horse Evaluation

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Horse Evaluation and Selection Career Development Event is designed to stimulate the study of and interest in, equine science selection while providing recognition for those who have demonstrated skill and competency in this area.

Event Highlights: evaluate halter classes of horses and complete a skilathon based various aspects of the equine industry

Land Evaluation

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Land Judging CDE is designed to stimulate learning activities related to soils and their best use.

Event Highlights: Evaluate soil pits and complete a homesite evaluation

Livestock Evaluation

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Livestock Evaluation and Selection Career Development Event stimulates learning activities related to the production and marketing of cattle, sheep and swine.

Event Highlights: evaluate classes of market & breeding cattle, swine, sheep & goats, and complete a skillathon based on the beef & swine industries

Meats Evaluation

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Meats Evaluation Career Development Event is designed to stimulate learning activities related to the processing of beef, pork and lamb carcasses, including retail cut identification and factors affecting meat quality.

Event Highlights: Identify retail cuts of beef, pork & lamb and evaluate classes or retail cuts

Milk Quality & Products

Animal Systems Career Pathway
Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Milk Quality and Products Career Development Event aims to promote practical learning activities in milk quality and dairy products while assisting students in developing team decision-making skills.

Event Highlights: The Milk Quality and Products CDE focuses on raw milk quality, dairy products, federal milk marketing orders and attributes of selected milk products.

Nursery & Landscape

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event is designed to stimulate learning activities related to nursery practices and landscaping including the identification of plants, insects, and diseases.

Event Highlights: Identify common nursery plants, pests & tools, interpret landscape plans, evaluate landscaping jobs, identify and control plant disorders and perform equipment maintenance

Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Middle School, Team (7 Members)

The Opening and Closing Ceremony Leadership Development Event is designed to develop agricultural leadership by providing for middle school members participation in public speaking activities and stimulating interest in leadership and citizenship.

Event Highlights: memorize and perform the official FFA Opening & Closing Ceremonies

Ornamental Horticulture Demonstration

Middle School, Individual or Team (2 Members)

The Ornamental Horticulture Demonstration Career Development Event is designed to stimulate careful planning, thorough knowledge and the ability to explain, by work and action, the “how and why” of various horticulture practices.

Event Highlights: develop and present a 7-10 minute presentation about various areas of the ornamental horticulture industry

Parliamentary Procedure

Middle School, Team (6 Members)

The purpose of the Parliamentary Procedure Leadership Development Event is to encourage students to learn to effectively participate in a business meeting and to assist in the development of their leadership skills.

Event Highlights: conduct a portion of a business meeting using correct parliamentary law

Poultry Evaluation

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Poultry Career Development Event stimulates learning related to the production, processing, marketing and consumption of poultry products.

Event Highlights: evaluate live birds, grade ready to cook broilers, grades for interior & exterior quality, identify poultry carcass parts

Prepared Public Speaking

Middle School, Individual

The Prepared Public Speaking Leadership Development Event is designed to develop agricultural leadership by providing for member participation in agricultural public speaking activities and stimulating interest in leadership and citizenship.

Event Highlights: develop a 4-6 minute speech about an agricultural topic of your choice and present the speech to a panel of judges

• Submit Manuscript

Tool Identification

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members

The Tool Identification Career Development Event is designed to develop the ability to correctly identify the names and uses of a variety of tools common to the Agricultural Education Curriculum.

Event Highlights: identify common agricultural tools and their uses

Vegetable Evaluation

Middle School, Team (3-4 Members)

The Vegetable Evaluation Career Development Event is designed to test skills and knowledge of students in the area of vegetable production and management.

Event Highlights: evaluate classes of vegetables, identify kinds & varieties of vegetables, insects, diseases, weeds and seeds