FFA
Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events
Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Development Events (LDEs) Career and Leadership Development Events develop college and career readiness skills. The competitive events serve as an outgrowth of instruction in the agricultural education classroom for FFA members in grades 7 to 12. Through CDEs and LDEs, participating FFA members 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 level.
Conferences
California FFA offers an integrated leadership delivery program to its members designed for each year they are in the FFA. Starting from their first year with Greenhand Conference to the second year Made for Excellence followed by the third year Advanced Leadership Academy and finally the fourth year Sacramento Leadership Experience. At the national level, students can attend the Washington Leadership Conference, 212 Conference, 360 Conference, and the newest is the FFA Next Generation Conference. Conferences from the section to the national level aim at developing leadership and communication skills, teamwork, networking, experiencing personal growth, and learning career-related skills.
Students are also able to attend the annual State Leadership Conference and National FFA Convention to develop personal and team leadership skills, discover agricultural careers, establish lasting friendships and strive for success. Both conferences will also highlight student accomplishments in public speaking and production practices with proficiency awards, scholarships and special recognitions as well as explore career and educational opportunities from leading ag industry exhibitors.
FFA Jackets
A Official FFA Jacket is required for all official FFA events such as CDEs, LDEs, FFA conferences, fair, etc.
FFA fitting guides are available for males and females if you plan to order your own jacket; however, if you wear pants/skirt that has a waistband across the hipbones, it is recommended you use the male guide for purchasing your measurements.
FFA Degrees
FFA is structured into a degree program which rewards active FFA members for progress in all phases of leadership, skills and occupational development. The Discovery FFA Degree (junior high school), the Greenhand FFA Degree, and the Chapter FFA Degree are awarded at the chapter level. State associations award top members with the State FFA Degree. The American FFA Degree is conferred upon an elite group of members at the national level.