What the Marketing Plan CDE Is
The Marketing Plan Career Development Event asks a team of three FFA members to build a real marketing plan for a real local agribusiness and then defend it in front of judges. The plan should offer a reasonable, logical solution to a marketing problem for an agricultural product, supply or service. Along the way students practice market research, writing, financial projections and public presentation. The Kansas FFA Association runs the event in conjunction with the State FFA Convention in Manhattan.
The most recent presentations were Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. in Room 226 of the K-State Student Union. The 99th convention is June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Junction City FFA won the 2026 state title.
Who Can Enter
- Teams have three certified chapter members, and only those three may take an active role in the presentation and technology use.
- The team must pick an actual local agribusiness, existing or start-up, that serves the community, and work with an off-campus organization. The chapter itself cannot be the client.
- Chapter certification changes are not accepted after May 20.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Write the plan. Upload a PDF of no more than 20 MB by the deadline on the State FFA Calendar of Events. Uploads can be made any time from entry until the deadline.
- Present at the convention. Each team has five minutes to set up, then a 15-minute presentation, then up to five minutes of clarifying questions in the preliminary round. A final round, if needed, allows up to 10 minutes of questions on the plan and general marketing. Every team member must take part in the questions.
- Awards. Awards are presented on stage during a State FFA Convention session.
The Written Plan (100 Points)
The plan is limited to eight single-sided 8.5 x 11 pages in 10-point type or larger. Page one is a title page with the project title, state, chapter name, chapter number and year; the other seven pages hold the plan, surveys, graphs, maps and promotional pieces.
| Section | Points |
|---|---|
| Product or service description | 5 |
| Market analysis | 30 |
| Business proposition (mission, assumptions, goals, target market) | 20 |
| Strategies and action plan (product, price, place, promotion, position) | 25 |
| Projected budget (three years, including pro forma and financial return) | 10 |
| Evaluation (benchmarks, measurement tools, alternatives) | 5 |
| Technical and business writing | 5 |
Late plans lose 10 percent, and a plan not received within seven days of the deadline may lose 25 points. Missing the length or format rules costs five points.
The Presentation (200 Points)
The presentation is capped at 15 minutes, and five points come off for each minute or major fraction over. Teams may give judges one single-sided page of corrections before presenting but no other handouts or samples. Visual aids are scored on effectiveness, not elaborateness. Kansas provides two tripod easels, an LCD projector with cables, a screen, an AV cart with power strip and extension cord, and a table; teams bring any other equipment, including computer adapters, and should not count on internet access. FFA Official Dress is highly recommended.
Judging and Awards
At least three judges drawn from industry, education and communication score independently and rank the teams. Ranks are added up and the lowest total wins. Ties go to the team with the most low ranks. Written evaluations are handed out at the awards ceremony, and teams receive their written plan rank.
First through fourth place teams receive plaques, and each member of the first-place team receives a medal. Awards are sponsored by industry sponsors and the Kansas FFA Foundation general fund.
Recent State Champions
Junction City (2026); Paola (2022-2025); Labette County (2021); Labette County (2019, 2016, 2014, 2013); Mission Valley (2018, 2017). The 2020 event was cancelled because of COVID-19.
Questions
Can we use our own chapter as the client?
No. The team must work with an off-campus local agribusiness.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424.
Official Links
- Marketing Plan CDE: format, rubrics and winners
- Marketing Plan guidelines (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.