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4-H/FFA Career Development Events (CDE)


 
     
About and General Resources      
The FFA/4H Career Development Events are outstanding programs that develop members' production agriculture technical skills, and in the process promote critical thinking and leadership development.

 

Agronomy      

The purpose of the Agronomy Career Development Event aims to create interest and promote understanding of agronomy by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It also allows students to explore career opportunities available in agronomy and encourages students to pursue careers in agronomy.


Dairy Cattle Evaluation      
Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management Career Development Event
aims to provide a competitive event for agricultural education students that emphasizes
skills in dairy cattle management and evaluation.

Horse and Pony Evaluation      
The purpose of the Horse and Pony CDE is to learn principles of horse and pony selection and evaluation and to develop the ability to make sound decisions based on observations and to defend these decisions verbally. To learn to appraise horses and ponies visually as a part of a sound breeding and management program as well as a means of evaluation in horse shows and contests.

Livestock Evaluation      
The purpose of the Livestock Evaluation CDE is to provide a competitive event for agricultural education students, emphasizing skills in the livestock industry including evaluation, selection of desirable traits, communication and decision-making skills, and management.

Livestock Skill-a-thon      

The purpose of the Livestock Skillathon CDE is to provide a competitive, yet friendly, environment for youth to develop their knowledge of animal science and livestock management practices, and to gain and improve their production and life skills through hands-on learning.


Meat Evaluation      
The Meats Evaluation and Technology CDE is designed to provide a competitive event
for agriculture education students, develop employment skills in the meat animal
industry, expand their knowledge of meat animal marketing and merchandising,
develop broader analytical skills and critical thinking strategies, and develop an
understanding of appropriate meat terminology.

Milk Quality and Products      
The purpose of the Milk Quality and Products CDE aims to promote practical learning activities in milk quality and dairy products while assisting students in developing team decision-making skills. The Milk Quality and Products CDE focuses on raw milk quality, dairy products, federal milk marketing orders and attributes of selected milk products. 
• The general areas that contribute to milk quality and consumer demand are:
• Milk production
• Milk and dairy product composition, quality and safety
• Milk processing or manufacturing • Raw milk marketing
• Facility operations:
• Safety/sanitation
• Labor 

Poultry and Eggs      
The purpose of the Poultry and Eggs CDE simulates learning activities related to production and management, processing, marketing, food safety, and poultry product quality.

Practical Forestry      
The Forestry Career Development Event is designed to stimulate student interest and to promote forestry instruction in the agricultural education curriculum and to provide recognition for those who have demonstrated skills and competencies as a result of forestry instruction. 

Soil Judging      
The purpose of the Soil Judging CDE is designed to teach youth skills necessary in soil science and make land use recommendations for production agriculture and home site development.

Wildlife Habitat      
This CDE is under construction. Check back for updated CDE guidelines and more changes for the Spring 2027 contest year.


   
 
     
     
 
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