State winning teams in the FFA Career and Leadership Development Events (CDE/LDE) earn a berth in the national competition. Through Career and Leadership Development Events, participating FFA members in grades 9 to 12 are challenged to develop critical thinking skills and effective decision-making skills, foster teamwork and promote communication while recognizing the value of ethical competition and individual achievement. CDE and LDE events occur at the local, state, and national levels.
Participants in the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) work as a team of communication consultants to develop a written media plan, present the plan to a panel of judges, and, as individuals, apply what they have learned during practicums, a quiz, and editing exercise.
This team CDE challenges students to communicate effectively while advocating to consumers about agriculture and telling the FFA story. Students will use a variety of media in their plans—social media, broadcast and print advertising, press releases, fliers, brochures, blogging, displays, and more.
Communication, collaboration, creativity, and presentation skills are important to event success. Students also learn a variety of technical skills such as journalistic and opinion writing, website design, video production, social media and more.
West Central’s Ag Communications Team consists of Ali Zacharias, Maddie Leasure, Josslin Jarding, and Grace Harden The team won their state-level event in January. The national event will be Hybrid this year with a 15-minute video of their Media Plan Pitch being presented to judges in early August and individual practicum activities, editing test, and communications quiz being completed in mid-August. After Hybrid events, the top 16 teams will advance to face-to-face competition in Indianapolis, IN.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Career Development Event (CDE) provides competing students an opportunity to gain awareness and demonstrate knowledge in areas that affect our air, soil and water. Competitors interpret data, use measuring devices in the field and work through real-life scenarios involving environmental threats in pursuit of scoring the highest as a team and individual.
Each team consisting of four FFA members competes in all types of weather conditions – just like professionals working the environmental and natural resource industry – in pursuit of recognition for demonstrating skills relevant to GPS navigation, soil science, water management and wildlife conservation. The competitors produce written statements and an oral presentation, and must exhibit competency via writing and identification activities.
Through these challenges, students develop interest and knowledge in sustainable management of our environment and will become the future stewards of resources critical to the future of agriculture.
West Central FFA members Andrew Rick, Jack Linneman, Bennett Sebert, and Connor Siemonsma won the state-level contest in April by placing 1st, 3rd, 11th, and 15th respectively as individuals and defeating their closest competitors by more than 130 points. This event will also be in a Hybrid format with written exams, practicum events and a team activity taking place in mid-September. The top 50% of teams will advance to face-to-face competition during the National FFA Convention in October in Indianapolis, IN.
Natural Resources Team Photo l to r – Linda Petersen, Connor Siemonsma, Jack Linneman, Bennett Sebert, Andrew Rick
