Every High School FFA Member Should Join a CDE/LDE Team

Career and Leadership Development Events (CDEs/LDEs) are among the best opportunities for FFA members to get involved, as they help connect what members learn in the classroom to real-life situations.

Instead of just reading about agriculture, CDEs and LDEs allow members to practice skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving and decision-making. According to the National FFA Organization, CDEs and LDEs are designed to help members learn by doing and build career-ready skills that prepare them for college and future jobs. This hands-on experience helps FFA members gain a deeper understanding of agriculture and feel more confident in their learning.

CDE and LDE teams also help members explore different career paths within agriculture. There are many different events, such as livestock evaluation, veterinary science, agribusiness and agricultural communications, which allow members to find their areas of interest.

The Texas FFA Association explains that CDEs and LDEs expose members to industry knowledge and professional expectations, helping them gain confidence and learn how careers in agriculture work in the real world. Being involved can also strengthen college and scholarship applications by showing dedication, leadership and commitment.

Besides helping with school and future careers, CDEs and LDEs also make FFA more fun and rewarding. Being on a team allows members to form close friendships, learn responsibility and feel proud when representing their chapter at competitions. National FFA also states that involvement in activities like CDEs and LDEs helps members grow personally and professionally by developing leadership and collaboration skills.

Overall, joining a CDE or LDE team allows members to challenge themselves, gain valuable life skills and get the most out of their FFA experience while preparing for success after high school.