What Creed Speaking Is
Creed Speaking is the Kansas FFA event for the newest members, where a student recites the FFA Creed from memory and then answers questions about it. The Creed was written by E.M. Tiffany. The event is meant to build agricultural leadership in younger members, develop speaking skills and build respect for FFA history. It is held during the State FFA Convention in Manhattan, and the finals are open to the public. The Kansas FFA Association runs it, and a separate Invitational Spanish Creed Speaking event runs alongside it.
The most recent finals were Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. in the K-State Business Building, on the first full day of the 98th Kansas FFA Convention. The 99th convention is June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan.
Who Can Enter
- Contestants must be ninth-grade FFA members from a four-year agricultural education program, or tenth-grade members from a three-year program.
- Each district may send two participants.
- The state winner may compete at the national event only if they are a ninth-grade member.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Preliminaries. In 2026, the Creed Speaking event began Wednesday, May 27 at 1:00 p.m. in Business Building Room 3082, and the Invitational Spanish Creed event at 1:30 p.m. in Room 1088. Preliminary sections have seven speakers each, and the top two from each section advance.
- Finals. Four participants compete in the finals, at 3:00 p.m. in Business Building Room 1078. Speaking order is drawn at random.
- Results. Only the final four are ranked. Feedback for everyone is available at the registration area after results are announced, and Creed awards are presented during the convention's opening session that evening.
Speaking Rules
- Recite the Creed from memory, using the current year's Official FFA Manual.
- Open with: "The FFA Creed by E.M. Tiffany." Close with: "... that inspiring task. Thank you."
- The presentation is four minutes, and a point is lost for each second over.
- Judges ask three questions per round, within a five-minute total limit. The questions are written annually by the Creed speaking coordinator and are not two-part questions.
- No props. Any electronic device in a participant's possession can lead to disqualification.
- Extra introductory or closing remarks lead to accuracy deductions.
- Official FFA Dress is highly recommended. Applause is held until everyone has spoken.
- Participants are kept isolated until their turn.
Judging
Three to five judges score independently, and at least one has an agricultural or FFA background. Advisors of competing students cannot judge. Timekeepers record presentation time, and accuracy judges count recitation errors. Judges rank speakers, the ranks are summed, and the lowest total wins. Ties are broken by the most low ranks, then by the superintendent's ranking of question responses.
Awards
| Place | Award |
|---|---|
| 1st | $100, plaque and gold medal |
| 2nd | $50, plaque and gold medal |
| 3rd | $25, plaque and gold medal |
| 4th | $25, plaque and gold medal |
Awards are presented on stage at the State FFA Convention. The event is sponsored by Andy Armbruster and Kate Mahoney, in honor of Melva and Robert Armbruster.
Past State Winners
2026, Kealie Bryant, Garden City. 2025, Hailey Shadden, Uniontown. 2024, Jayleigh Weilert, Hays. 2023, Anessa Polzin, Stanton County. 2022, Tucker Leck, Neodesha. 2021, Kadence Henke, Republic County. 2019, Molly Foote, Hoxie. 2018, Clay Brillhart, Uniontown. 2017, Cailin Parks, Holton. 2016, Allison Dale, South Central. The 2026 Spanish Creed Speaking winner was Heath Ratzlaff of Canton-Galva. The 2020 event was cancelled because of COVID-19.
Questions
Can I add my own introduction?
No. Extra introductory or closing remarks lead to accuracy deductions.
Can family record my speech?
One person from the participant's chapter may record the preliminary presentation, for that participant only.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424.
Official Links
- Creed Speaking LDE: winners and documents
- Kansas Creed event guidelines (PDF)
- Creed rubric (PDF)
- 98th convention schedule
- 2026 competitive event winners
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.