Career Development Events

Career Development Events

District Contest – March 18, 2009

State Contest – April 1-3, 2009

Agriscience

Provide first-year agriscience students with a practical and applied career experience in a competitive environment centered on the career pathways related to the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Career Cluster.  There will be four (4) rotations involved with the Agriscience CDE. Depending on the number of teams entered in the CDE, four rotations will be developed allowing an equal number of schools in each rotation. Each rotation will be one-hour in length and will involve two individual practica. Each individual will have 20 minutes to complete each practicum with a 2-minute period for rotation for lab clean up, set up, and individual instructions.  Each participant must bring a calculator, two (2) number two pencils, and splash-proof safety goggles.  All four participants must compete in the same rotation at the same time.

Welding

This contest will be limited to 65 teams of three members each. A team must consist of three individuals from the same school.  Fifty percent (50%) of the teams per Ag Ed/FFA district may be selected to compete from team and individual placings at districts.  THE WELDING CONTEST WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING DIVISIONS: SHIELDED METAL ARC WELDING – (STICK), OXYGEN ACETYLENE WELDING, and GAS METAL ARC WELDING - (MIG).  Individual contestant and team scored will be determined by tabulating examination and skill activity using 40% for written and 60% for welding skills.  A team score will be determined by adding the individual scores of each of the three welding divisions (Shielded Metal Arc, Oxygen Acetylene, and Gas Metal Arc Welding).  Equipment needed by the Contestant: Industrial Quality Eye Protection (SAFETY GLASSES) - must be ANSI approved (Z-87 Labels), Long Sleeve Protective Clothing, Foot protection (high top - LEATHER BOOTS) – *NO TENNIS SHOES OR ATHLETIC SHOES, Welding Gloves and pliers, Chipping hammer and wire brush for Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Welding helmet with a #10 shade lens for Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Gas Metal Arc Welding, and Goggles ( that will fit over safety glasses) with a #5 lens shade for O/A.

Ag Mechanics

Twenty-five percent of the total number of schools in a district may qualify for the state event regardless of the number of schools participating at the district event.  Each of the twelve (12) state districts are eligible to participate in this event.  District events will be used to select teams to compete in the state activity.  Eligibility of team members will be according to the Handbook of FFA Activities and CDE general rules.  The five national event areas will serve as basis for the state event. They are: • Machinery & Equipment systems, Energy Systems, Structural Systems, and Environmental & Natural Resource Systems. The Team Activity with emphasis in Industry & Marketing Systems.  The four team members will compete in an examination, three skills or problem solving activities and a team activity.

Agronomy

Team size shall be four members.  All four members will be scored, and all 4 scores shall count towards the team total.  All four members are eligible for individual awards.  Written Material:  All written materials will be furnished for the event.  Contestants will answer all questions on standard multiple choice bubble cards using a No. 2 Pencil. Each participant must have two sharpened No. 2 pencils, and an electronic calculator.  All contestants will participate in the identification of crop and weed plants and seeds, insects, plant diseases, farm machinery, and soil properties.

Livestock Management

A Livestock Management team will consist of 4-6 individuals.  The contest will have separate stations for each of the following species:   Beef,   Poultry, Sheep, Horse, Swine, and Dairy.  Each team will complete each station.  At each species station, team members may consult and work together.  However, dependent on the number of items to be completed at a station, it may be prudent for students to work individually or in pairs, in order to be able to complete all items.  At each station, an attempt will be made to cover aspects of that species from applied, industry, skill and scientific perspectives.  There will likely be a combination of written questions and hands-on skills or expertise that must be demonstrated.     The majority of this contest will be conducted in the livestock arena (sand/dirt) and most stations will involve some direct work with livestock.  Students are expected to dress appropriately.  The study guide includes examples of material that may be covered in each section of each species division.  The list is not all-inclusive (i.e., contest superintendents may include questions on materials not listed below).

Floriculture

Contestants must qualify for entry in the state contest by participating in a district qualifying contest. One fourth of the programs in a district may qualify.  A floriculture team consists of four (4) students.  All contestants must bring the following items to the state contest: 1. clipboard with 2 pencils, 2. calculator, 3. floral arranging knife, scissors, wire cutters, and watch.  The contest will include 3 parts: 1. General Knowledge Exam, 2. Team Activity, and 3. Plant Identification.   The team project will consist of 4 team members from each school participating in a hands on activity. An example of the activity would be to design corsages, boutonnieres, and one other wedding design for a potential client. The activity will include pricing the design correctly. Pricing information for the plant material, labor, and supplies will be provided. 40 minutes will be assigned this portion of the contest.  Plant Identification will consist of the national FFA contest list provided from their website. 40 specimens will be chosen from this list. All common names for this contest will be listed first, with scientific names listed second on the answer sheet. 20 minutes will be assigned this portion of the contest. The 50 question exam will be assigned 25 minutes for this contest.

Farm Management

 Any high school offering an approved agricultural education program may enter one Farm Management Team consisting of four (4) members. The scores of the three members scoring the highest of the four will be considered for representing the team.  The Farm Management Event will consist of management problems to solve and questions to answer that require knowledge and judgment in the field of farm management.  Fields included in this contest include: farm organization, farm production efficiency, farm accounting, marketing, budget analysis, tax management, insurance, credit analysis and borrowing, farm leasing arrangements, financial analysis, and farm policy.  The entire test is composed of multiple choice questions. Many questions require problem solving to determine correct answers.

Agricultural Sales

The model agricultural sales event will consist of four parts: an objective test, oral sales presentation, a series of practicums and the team market analysis. The contest will be a team event consisting of four students. All team members will participate in the test market analysis and sales presentation components of the contest. The contest will consist of 100 total possible points per team member: test, 25 point; sales presentation, 50 points; practicum, 25 points. Should a tie occur in the individual or team scores, the tie will be broken by the highest sales presentation score. If the tie cannot be broken using the sales presentation score, the highest written test score will be used. If a tie still exists, the highest practicum score will be used to break the ties.

Junior Livestock Selection

1. A Junior Division contestant must be either a freshman or sophomore in high school and a member of a junior division team. A junior division contestant cannot be a junior or senior in high school.
2. A junior division team will consist of 4 team members. The high team members’ scores will count. The low score of the fourth team member will not be counted. He/she is eligible for individual awards. If only 3 team members are available to judge, then the total of these three members’ scores will make up the team score, and no scores are dropped.
3. A junior division team may have judged in the junior division of previous state contests and is eligible to compete a second year as long as they are not a member of the state winning junior division team and/or competed in the national livestock selection CDE. This means all members on the team, including the alternate (low score), on a 4-member team.
4. This is a district qualifying event. Teams that place within the Top 50% of their district within each division may compete in the state competition. Each team is made up of 4 individuals, and 2 alternates. Thus, no more than sixpotential contestants may be pre-registered for the contest. All teams competing in the Junior/Senior Livestock Selection Contests must be pre-registered by March 20^th. Teams may substitute PRE-REGISTEREDalternates for PRE-REGISTERED team members the morning of the contest. NO OTHER SUBSTITUTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED!Unless substituted for a pre-registered team member, alternates will NOT judge.

Senior Livestock Selection

1. A Senior Division contestant must be either a Junior or Senior in high school and a member of a senior division team. A senior division contestant cannot be a Freshman or Sophomore in high school.
2. A senior division team will consist of 4 team members. The high team members’ scores will count. The low score of the fourth team member will not be counted. He/she is eligible for individual awards. If only 3 team members are available to judge, then the total of these three members’ scores will make up the team score, and no scores are dropped.
3. A senior division team may have judged in the senior division of a previous state contest and is eligible to compete a second year as long as they are not a member of the state winning senior division team and/or competed in the national livestock selection CDE. This means all members on the team, including the alternate (low score), on a 4-member team.
4. This is a district qualifying event. Teams that place within the Top 50% of their district within each division may compete in the state competition. Each team is made up of 4 individuals, and 2 alternates. Thus, no more than six potential contestants may be pre-registered for the contest. All teams competing in the Junior/Senior Livestock Selection Contests must be pre-registered by March 20^th. Teams may substitute PRE-REGISTERED alternates for PRE-REGISTEREDteam members the morning of the contest. NO OTHER SUBSTITUTIONS WILL BE ALLOWED! Unless substituted for a pre-registered team member, alternates will NOT judge.