CDE Purpose
The Agronomy CDE offers FFA the opportunity to see our mission in action, by
providing students the chance to gain knowledge and experience as they pursue
careers in the field of agronomy. By networking with industry experts, judges,
extension specialists and each other, the junior and senior agronomy CDE
participants are exposed to the latest developments in the field of agronomy
while developing team-building skills. This event demonstrates the value of
pursuing a career in production agriculture.
CDE Components
The State and National Agronomy CDE comprises a general knowledge
examination, weed/crop and/or seed identification, soil texture/structure/land
class/survey comprehension, pest management knowledge, and identification of
seed quality aspects, including purity, usability, and marketability. At the National
level, the Agronomy CDE also includes a team event where individuals are given
a scenario in which they must develop a management plan, which is presented
orally and in a written format. The state-winning team will represent the
Commonwealth at the 96th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis.
The second-place team earns the opportunity to compete at The Eastern States
Exposition (Big E) in Massachusetts.
An additional agronomy event will be held at the State Fair of Virginia in late
September 2022. This event typically includes an additional 70 FFA members. The
event encompasses many of the agronomy CDE activities at the state FFA
Convention but attracts a participant group from some more eastern counties of
Virginia.
The Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through their
Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), have developed specialized skills they
can apply to their future careers.
Grain Production Proficiency – Entrepreneurship Award –– Student owns an
enterprise or business that applies the best management practices available to
produce efficiently and market crops for grain production such as corn, barley
(including the malting types), millet, buckwheat, oats, grain sorghum, milo,
wheat, rice, and rye. Grain Production does not include any of the crops
mentioned earlier with an intended use for forage. Recognition includes plaques,
pins, and media publication for award winners, as well as funds for the first and
second-place state winners and up to six area winners.
The Virginia FFA State Officer Team is encouraged to participate in the
International Leadership Seminar for State Officers, conducted by National FFA.
These members must apply to the program and, once accepted, complete
several tasks set forth by the curriculum. The International Leadership Seminar
for State Officers empowers current and past state officers by providing them
with a global perspective. Through this experience, participants will visit farms
and agribusinesses, share in the local culture and develop themselves as
culturally aware students. The cost for this experience is over $5,000 for each
officer.
The location of the 2024 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers will
be revealed in the spring of 2023. V

Virginia FFA hosts an annual Career Development Event (CDE) focused on
developing agronomy and crops evaluation skills of FFA members.
Approximately 20% of the contest is directly related to identification and
classification of soybeans for seed or feed production. The objectives of this
event and the Fiber and Oil Crop Proficiency award are;
- To provide an opportunity for FFA members to display their knowledge of
agronomic sciences while evaluating and demonstrating their skills in this area
through competition;
- To encourage FFA members to explore meaningful connections between
classroom education and career opportunities in the agronomy industry; and,
- To recognize honor FFA members who, through their Supervised Agricultural
Experience (SAE), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward
their future careers (Proficiency Award).
- To Provide our State Officer team a global agricultural experience.

We expect at least 35 teams and 130 students to be involved in the CDE and
Proficiency Award activities. In addition, 2,000 members, ag teachers and
stakeholders will be impacted by the events, their results, and sponsors at the
State FFA Convention and the State Fair of Virginia.
As State Officers must apply and be approved for ILSSO, the number impacted is
unpredictable, but we encourage the entire team of 6-9 to attend. for 2022-2023
- we had a team of 9.
FUNDER BENEFITS;
Funders of the Virginia FFA Foundation programs and activities actively
contribute to tomorrow’s workforce by enabling state-of-the-art leadership and
development training for today’s students. Though less tangible, additional
benefits for sponsors include
• Brand awareness to future consumers and industry leaders
• Positive reputation with potential future employees
• Sustained future for the agriculture industry
• Positive association with the FFA Foundation
FUNDER VISIBILITY
• Funder recognition at the State FFA Convention (Printed program and verbal
and visual recognition during awards sessions, equal to representation of shared
event sponsors)
• Funder recognition in annual reports, newsletters, Virginia FFA Foundation
website and other print/electronic media.