The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experiences in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels.
Participants in the Agricultural Issues Forum Leadership Development Event (LDE) research the pros and cons of an agricultural issue and present their findings to a panel of judges.
This team LDE challenges students to investigate a variety of current local, state, national, and international issues facing agriculture through classroom instruction. Students then demonstrate through portfolio, presentation, and questioning an understanding of the principles and fundamentals of agricultural issue analysis.
Communication, leadership, and teamwork skills are critical to event success. This event connects agriculture students with professionals in the industry as they research, present, and then understand complicated issues facing the agricultural landscape – making it especially attractive to students with an interest in agricultural policy, law, and international relations.
The Conduct of Chapter Meetings Leadership Development Event (LDE) introduces FFA members to parliamentary procedure as they learn how to conduct efficient meetings and build their communication skills.
Designed for FFA members in seventh, eighth, and ninth grade, this LDE challenges a team of seven students from one chapter to demonstrate correct use of FFA opening and closing ceremonies. Students will learn to communicate and participate effectively as a team while growing skills in effective decision-making.
Members assume various officer duties (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, reporter, sentinel, and advisor) during the event presentation that is evaluated by a team of judges. Additionally, each participant is challenged by a written exam about officer duties, meeting room preparation, and parliamentary procedure.
University of Louisiana - Monroe Department of Agribusiness
The Farm and Agribusiness Management Career Development Event (CDE) helps students learn business skills and apply economic principles to agricultural businesses. By competing, participants demonstrate their ability to analyze agricultural business management information, apply economic principles and concepts of business management, evaluate business management decisions, and work together cooperatively as a team.
This team CDE requires four members to demonstrate decision-making and problem-analysis skills in economics and business through a written exam.
Students competing in this event gain a wide appreciation of farm and agribusiness practices, ranging from business structure to succession planning, and from cost concepts to risk management.
The Food Science and Technology Career Development Event (CDE) requires students to have an in-depth understanding of food product development, food presentation, and food safety issues. Participants also use their sensory skills to solve problems and make sound decisions.
Students in this event participate in both team and individual activities. As a team, students respond to a product development scenario describing the need for a new or redesigned product that appeals to a potential market segment. The team’s task is to design a new food product or reformulate an existing product based on information contained within the product development scenario. As individuals, an objective test and a food safety practicum are completed to count toward the team score.
This event reaches students in an area of agriculture that’s continuing to grow in all aspects. By exposing students to issues in food science and technology, students gain experience that prepares them for traditional and non-traditional careers.
In the Marketing Plan Career Development Event (CDE) participants develop practical marketing skills while creating and presenting a marketing plan for a local agribusiness.
In this competitive CDE, teams of three students research and present a marketing plan for an agricultural product, supply, or service in front of a panel of judges. The plan should provide a reasonable and logical solution to a marketing problem.
Although only three individuals are on a team, any number of students may assist with the primary and secondary research. This CDE allows students to explore and prepare for possible careers in agrimarketing and develop partnerships within agriculture, their local FFA chapters, and with the community.
