Unified Horticulture Career Development Event competitors identify fruits and vegetables. Photo courtesy of Amanda Mullins.
After teaching agriculture classes for 15 years, Amanda Mullins wanted to utilize her role as the Indiana FFA Association’s assistant director of leadership and development to provide all students with a well-rounded FFA experience. So, she kick-started the Unified Horticulture Career Development Event (CDE) in April 2024.
“My inspiration came from my experiences in the classroom, as well as reflecting and realizing that I should’ve done more for the students I encountered,” Mullins says.
The CDE, which is open to Indiana FFA members with intellectual disabilities, focuses on helping competitors gain knowledge and skills that can translate to daily life and equip them for future careers.
“I want our members to be more educated consumers,” Mullins says. “No matter what they do in life, I want them to have an appreciation for agriculture.”
Fulfilling a grocery order helps competitors gain real-world skills and experiences in agriculture. Photo courtesy of Amanda Mullins.
In addition to identifying fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowers, competitors place classes of food items based on quality and freshness and determine if they are safe to eat. They also complete a scenario that represents fulfilling an online grocery order, and participants can have another person — such as an FFA member, a teacher, an aid or a parent/guardian — by their side to help them navigate the event.
To celebrate their accomplishments, Indiana FFA recognizes everyone who participates in this competition on the same day as the rest of the spring CDE award winners. The individuals with the top four overall scores are also recognized on stage during state convention.
Looking Ahead
Fifteen members participated in this CDE during its first year, and it grew to include 27 this year. In the future, Mullins hopes this event continues to increase its numbers and that her state can create additional competitions.
“My goal is to come up with three different unified events for these students to compete in, which would happen each year and be spread throughout the school year,” she says.
All CDE competitors received a medal to recognize a job well done. Photo courtesy of Amanda Mullins.
Mullins also hopes more state associations feel inspired to create similar opportunities after learning about this competition.
“I learned that you don’t need an activity or a lesson every day for these students,” she says. “Sometimes the chance to be in your classroom, interact with their peers and listen is useful.”
Doing to Learn
Reach out to your chapter’s advisor and state association’s leadership to explore competitions offered close to home, then check out this full list of National FFA Career and Leadership Development Events and their respective sponsors.
