For students who ask their teachers "When will I ever use this in the real world?" Career Development Events (CDEs) are the answer. Since 1928, FFA has worked to create CDEs that demonstrate the meaningful connections between classroom instruction and real-life scenarios CDEs build on what is learned in agricultural classes and the FFA.

The contests are created to prepare students for the opportunities and careers in agriculture. Classroom instruction comes alive as students demonstrate their skills in a competitive setting. CDE's test the abilities of individuals and
teams in major areas of agricultural instruction.

    

The Career Development Events that we offer at the local level consist of the following:
 

Livestock
Beef cattle, sheep and swine are evaluated for market values and desirable physical traits.  Team members also rank livestock for breeding purposes, using observed physical characteristics and performance data.

State winning team advances to National competition that is held during the National FFA Convention the end of October.

Floriculture
Classroom knowledge and skills are applied as students identify and evaluate cut flowers, house plants, flowering plants, floral designs and complete an exam that tests their knowledge of floral design, propagation as well as preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.
 
State winning team advances to national competition which is held during the National FFA Convention in late October.

Meats
Students develop skills for careers in the meat animal industry as they complete a written exam; evaluate beef carcasses for quality and yield grade; identify various meat cuts, place beef, lamb and pork carcasses, and place wholesale and/or retail cuts. 

State winning team advances to national competition which is held during the National FFA Convention in late October.
Nursery/Landscape
This CDE encourages members to apply their landscaping, marketing and service skills as they complete a written exam, identify various landscaping plant materials and evaluate plant materials and landscape plans. 

State winning team advances to national competition which is held during the National FFA Convention in late October.

Poultry
Students apply classroom knowledge to evaluate production, processing, marketing and consumption of chickens, turkeys, processed products and eggs. Participants complete a written exam, solve a management problem, evaluate animals and products, as well as identify various poultry products.
 
State winning team advances to national competition which is held during the National FFA Convention in late October.

Dairy Cattle
During this event, team members complete a written exam, evaluate dairy cattle on physical characteristics and analyze cows based on pedigree and herd record.  Teams consist of three or four members and the top three scores are compiled for team results.
 
State winning team advances to national competition which is held during the National FFA Convention in late October. 

Students interested should contact their Ag-Science Teacher to inquire more detailed information.

State Champions in Career Development Events
Perla Aguilar - Floriculture, 2012
Tracy Garcia - Floriculture, 2015