Getting Involved
Career & LeaDership Development Events (cdE's & Lde's)
This 4-person team event helps students prepare for careers in journalism, radio and TV broadcast, web design, marketing and more. Team members will attend an actual news conference then use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in news story writing, press release writing, radio broadcasting, and graphic design. Team members will also compete together in an editing exercise and a general communication quiz.
This individual events is designed for FFA members to develop, practice and demonstrate skills in teaching agricultural education. Each part of the event simulates, as closely as possible, real-world classroom teaching and learning activities and procedures. The event is developed to help participants in their current job search for future employment as a school-based agricultural education instructor.
This CDE provides opportunities for FFA members to demonstrate their skills in electrical wiring, critical thinking, and communications. The Electric Membership Corporations throughout Georgia sponsors these activities as a means of promoting education in the safe, efficient use of electrical energy.
Agriculture Issues Forum
The purpose of the National FFA Agricultural Issues Forum Leadership Development Event is to present a current issue to a public audience; therefore, professional ethics and standards are to be considered. Ignoring truthful information, falsifying needed information, using unreliable sources and plagiarism or violation examples, which would result in disqualification. Participants in the Agricultural Issues Forum LDE research the pros and cons of an agricultural issue and present their findings and theories to a panel of judges.
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Students develop their technical skills and knowledge, and their ability to work with others to solve complex problems. The Georgia Agricultural Mechanics CDE is designed as a modified version of the National CDE following the procedures outlined in the National FFA Organization CDE handbook as modified annually by the state CDE committee.
This team event is designed to develop the skills that are necessary to be successful in sales. These include communication skills, product knowledge, sales process, and maintaining customers.
Agricultural Technology & Equipment ID
The Agricultural Technology Equipment CDE (formerly Jr. Ag Mechanics CDE) is open to FFA Members in grades 6th-9th grades. The Agricultural Technology and Equipment Career Development Event is a team event with three parts: Skill Practicum/Problem Solving Activity, Tool/Equipment/Part Identification and Multiple Choice Written Exam, following the procedures outlined in the GA FFA Association Career Development Guideline as created by the State Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Committee.
The Conduct of Chapter Meetings LDE tests students’ knowledge of parliamentary law through a fourphase
competition: parliamentary presentation, oral questions, written test, and the presentation of written
minutes. Any student in grades 6-9 who is a paid FFA member may participate. (This event took the place of Junior Parliamentary Procedure).
Participants in the Creed Speaking CDE present their presentation of the FFA Creed before a panel of judges. Once their presentation is complete, they respond to questions directly related to the FFA Creed.
This CDE helps students develop skills in dairy cattle selection and herd management. Participants evaluate the cattle’s physical characteristics, explain their various classes and analyze a herd record as a team.
The Discussion Meet is patterned after the National Farm Bureau Young Farmer Discussion Meet. Students discuss topics in a way that leads to constructive ideas and problem solving.
The FFA Employment Skills LDE is an individual event. The event is developed to help participants in their current job search for part-time and full-time employment.
Environmental Natural Resources
Individual and team activities include a national and global issues interview, environmental and natural resources problem solving, soil tests and profiles, air and water analysis, GPS use, waste management and more.
Extemporaneous Public Speaking
Participants in this LDE present a speech they prepare in the allowed time to a panel of judges. Once their presentation is complete, they respond to questions from the judges and are scored individually by each judge.
This CDE helps students develop business management skills and learn to apply economic principles to agriculture and agribusiness.
Participants in the FFA Quiz take a written examination and finalists answer oral questions from the event superintendent.
This CDE is designed to stimulate student interest in future agricultural education curriculum and FFA activities.
Participants identify plants, judge flower arrangements and solve problems. Students also demonstrate skills in flower arranging, propagation and preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.
Students who participate in this CDE demonstrate their skills in diagnosing forest disorders, managing forests and forest inventory and applying approved silviculture practices.
Students who participate in this Field Day will engage in 10 unique and specific events that engage them in the forestry industry; including Reforestation, Timber Stand Improvement, Timber Cruising for both Cord and Foot Volume, Tree Identification, Ocular Estimation, Land Measurement, Hand Compass, Forest Management, & Disorders.
Participants in the Horse Evaluation CDE will evaluate both conformation and performance of a variety of horse breeds. Contestants will also present oral reasons on selected classes to defend their selection decisions.
FFA members in this CDE will study soil characteristics, land capability classification as well as land treatment practices. Students will develop a knowledge of soils while determining agricultural land use and land treatment practices.
Lawnmower Operations & Maintenance
Participants in this CDE will complete a written exam, a problem solving activity and demonstrate lawnmower maintenance / driving.
Participants will evaluate breeding and market cattle, swine, sheep and goats. Contestants will also present oral reasons on selected classes to defend their selection decisions. Performance data will also be included in keep/cull and placing classes of breeding animals. Feeder cattle will be evaluated using USDA standards.
The Marketing Plan CDE is a team event designed to develop an understanding of the marketing plan process, and to allow students to explore and prepare for possible careers in agri-marketing. Students research and present a marketing plan for an agricultural product, supply, or service. It is a competitive activity involving a team of three persons working for a local community agri-business to support the FFA’s outreach mission.
Students develop the skills needed for careers in the meat animal industry. During the event, members complete a evaluate beef carcasses for quality and yield grade, identify various meat cuts and place carcasses, and identify wholesale and/or retail cuts.
Student skills are tested in aspects of maintaining landscape plants and related products, evaluating equipment and services, and landscape design.
During the Parliamentary Procedure LDE, teams conduct a mock chapter meeting to demonstrate their knowledge of basic parliamentary law and the correct use of parliamentary procedures.
Student skills are tested in the production, processing, and marketing of chickens, turkeys, processed poultry products and eggs.
During this LDE, students write and deliver a six- to eight-minute speech about a current agriculture-related topic. The speaking skills gained through this event help students excel in school, community and career.
Tractor & Machinery Operations & Maintenance
This CDE is an individual event with three parts: written exam, problems and solutions, practical driving test.
The Veterinary Science CDE will test students’ knowledge and skill in various aspects of the Veterinary Science industry. The team event includes identification of equipment, parasites and animal breeds, as well as a handling and restraining practicum, a clinical procedure practicum, and a written exam involving knowledge of the veterinary science field. *This CDE has been adapted from the National FFA Veterinary Science Career Development Event, which can be found at www.ffa.org.
The Wildlife Management Career Development Event is an activity that provides opportunities for FFA members to demonstrate their technical and management skills relating to wildlife, habitat, and harvesting regulations.
Livestock Exhibiting
Eastanollee Cannery
Stephens FFA Alumni
Whether you were a FFA member or not you can join the FFA Alumni Association and be a part of an organization that prides itself in helping make FFA students' lives better. Your commitment helps ensure the continued success of America's premier youth leadership organization.
Our FFA Alumni meetings are every second Tuesday of the month unless otherwise stated. We would love to see all supporting and interested locals come and see what we offer for our students and community!
To learn more and to contact the FFA Alumni click the link below: https://www.facebook.com/stephenscoffaalumni.toccoa/
Young Farmers Association
The Georgia Young Farmer program is the adult education component of Georgia's Agricultural Education program. County Young Farmer Programs conduct educational seminars on everything from agricultural technology to legislative issues affecting agriculture. The local advisor plays an instrumental role in providing these opportunities and assisting farmers in the community.
Georgia Young Farmer Teachers provide instruction through organized classes on everything from new farming techniques, risk management strategies, water management, and agricultural awareness to legislative issues affecting agriculture. Providing on-site technical assistance is a strong part of the program.
cattleman's Association
The Cattlemen's Association meets every month at 7 pm (September - May) in the Stephens County Farm Bureau basement. https://www.facebook.com/georgia.cattlemen/