The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes students who gain real-world, hands-on experience in agricultural enterprises. Students use scientific principles and emerging technologies to solve complex agriculture, food, and natural resources problems. The agriscience fair is for middle and high school students. Participation begins at the local level and progresses to state and national levels.

Number of Participants Continues to Grow

Participation in the Agriscience Fair has grown steadily over time — except for the 2020 virtual event.

• 2016—593 participants
• 2017—724 participants
• 2018—759 participants
• 2019—778 participants
• 2020—637 participants (virtual)

It pays to compete. $121,500 in total cash payouts was awarded to 162 winners recognized at the 2020 National FFA Convention & Expo.

Outcomes for FFA Members

We asked FFA members who competed in the National FFA Agriscience Fair in 2020 about their experience. After participating, at least 85% of FFA members¹ told us that they…

• now have a better understanding of the scientific method
• have learned something about agriculture that they did not know prior to their project
• are more interested in studying in a scientific field than before they did their project
• have a better understanding of how science plays a role in agriculture

National Participation

90% of U.S. states and territories have participated in the past two years (2019 and/or 2020).

Resources for Getting Started Are Available

Four resources are available for FFA advisors on FFA.org.

• Application manual checklist
• Standards crosswalk
• Report template
• Application and written report directions

We surveyed advisors about the value of the available Agriscience Fair resources. Just under 75% of participating advisors found the report template and application manual checklist very valuable. More than half saw high value in the application and written report directions, while 36% found high value in the standards crosswalk. The data offers clear ways for National FFA staff to continue its improvement of the Agriscience Fair experience.

What Advisors Say

We asked FFA advisors why they support student participation in the National FFA Agriscience Fair in 2020. FFA advisors told us their students participated for many reasons, but the quality educational experience was the most common factor (64%), followed by students expressing great interest in competing (20%).

Link to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

The Agriscience Fair offers a clear connection to the high-quality, rigorous Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Career Cluster Content Standards. When asked, 88% of advisors² agreed that the Agriscience Fair aligns well with its associated agriculture industry. FFA members competing in the Agriscience Fair told us the same thing. Four AFNR standards were cited as the most learned through project completion:

• PS.01.01—Determine the influence of environmental factors on plant growth
• AS.02.01—Demonstrate management techniques that ensure animal welfare
• FPP.01.02—Apply food safety and sanitation procedures in the handling and processing of food products to ensure food quality
• CS.01.01—Research, examine and discuss issues and trends that impact AFNR systems on local, state, national and global levels

For more information, contact agrisciencefair@FFA.org or visit FFA.org/agriscience.