FFA member participating in the floriculture career development event.

In the realm of FFA, few times are as wonderfully chaotic as competition season. The term alone triggers memories — late nights, pencils scratching on scantrons and urgently refreshing JudgingCard. While the minutia of FFA competition season varies from state to state, the overall themes are the same: learning, bonding and unforgettable memories.

Sectors of Competition Season

In the state of Missouri, FFA competitions are particularly rigorous. From the months of February to April, FFA members pour over their notes and clipboards, dreaming of advancing to compete at the National FFA Convention & Expo. Competition season is comprised of two main sectors: career development events (CDEs) and leadership development events (LDEs).

CDEs

CDEs, which include food science, forestry, dairy cattle and more, are opportunities for students to apply hands-on learning in agricultural industries. Livestock judging, floriculture and agronomy are among the most popular and competitive in the state of Missouri. 

Successful CDE coach, Palmyra FFA advisor and agriculture educator Amanda Haeberlin appreciates CDEs for their competitive nature and application to ag-related fields. “My favorite part of CDEs is the opportunity to work with students in smaller focused groups and get to know who they really are,” she says. Haeberlin enjoys watching her students grow and learn through CDEs.

In her 20 years of coaching CDEs, Haeberlin has won state six times, and placed first in the nation with her 2021 floriculture team. Timothy Wellman, who placed fourth in the nation in 2021, shared his experience in the competition.

“Floriculture was a fantastic experience that taught me a considerable amount about FFA, flowers (of course) and myself,” he says. “It was a surreal feeling to be able to stand onstage with my best friends and mentor, and win something so big for our small town.” Wellman is now a teacher at Palmyra High School and serves Palmyra FFA as a alumni CDE coach. 

Ava Fohey, a four-year member of Palmyra FFA, shared her experiences winning the 2024 state food science CDE. Through competing, Fohey says she “built lifelong friendships and gained leadership, communication and presentation skills.”

LDEs

Along with CDEs, LDEs provide FFA members the opportunity to polish their public speaking, job interview skills and more. With a wide range of competitions, including extemporaneous public speaking, prepared public speaking, employment skills and more, FFA members have the chance to master a variety of invaluable skills. 

Upcoming Opportunities

Though competition season can be hectic, FFA chapters across the nation have learned to embrace the noise. CDEs strengthen members’ critical thinking skills and teamwork capabilities while providing exposure to age-related careers. Similarly, LDEs are invaluable for young adults to master their public speaking and communication skills.

This competition season, FFA chapters across the globe will be vying for titles — and with it, gaining invaluable knowledge, peer connections and beloved memories.