Each year, FFA members represent their chapters by competing in National FFA Career and Leadership Development Events (CDEs/LDEs). Vivian Cook, Leah Urfer, Gracie Wilson and Rylee Thompson of the Montezuma FFA Chapter in Iowa were named the 2025 National FFA Agricultural Communications CDE team event winners. As part of the event, they wrote a feature story about a designated topic during the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo. Here’s a section of that piece, edited for FFA New Horizons:

As the National FFA Organization continues to expand, both in membership and in diversity, it’s evolving to meet the changing needs and ambitions of its nearly 1 million members. Through a growing list of endorsed activities, FFA is extending its reach beyond traditional conventions and competitions, ensuring every student can find a pathway that aligns with their goals and interests.

“These new opportunities don’t always fit traditional models; however, they allow students to find their niche,” said William Waidelich, strategic program specialist at FFA.

Currently, FFA endorses 16 specialized activities that equip students with valuable, industry-relevant skills. Already, more than 1,000 FFA members nationwide have participated in at least one of these events. Opportunities such as the Plant the Moon Challenge, National Turfgrass Science Invitational, Make48 and several national FFA contests, including the Spanish Creed, Agricultural Education and Quiz Invitational, expose students to fields ranging from environmental science and technology to engineering and agribusiness.