What the Nebraska CDE State Finals Are
The Nebraska Agricultural Education Career Development Events, or CDEs, are the state finals for high school agricultural education students. They help students think critically, communicate clearly and perform in a competitive job market, covering technical skills across agriculture, food and natural resources. Nebraska hosts 25 CDEs. They take place alongside the Nebraska FFA Convention in early spring on UNL East Campus, at Southeast Community College in Lincoln and at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The next dates posted are March 31 to April 2, 2027, followed by April 5-7, 2028 and April 4-6, 2029.
Events and How Teams Qualify
| Event | Qualifying | Team size |
|---|---|---|
| Agriscience | Open enrollment, grades 9-10 | 4 |
| Agronomy | Top 25% of schools in district | 4 |
| Ag Biotechnology | Top 2 teams per district | 4 |
| Ag Communications | Online pre-qualifier in February; top 10 teams advance | 4 |
| Ag Issues Forum | Open enrollment | 3-7 |
| Ag Sales | Top 3 per district | 4 |
| Ag Technology and Mechanics | Top 25% | 4 |
| Environmental and Natural Resources | Top 33% | 4 |
| Farm and Agribusiness Management | Top 5 per district | 4 |
| Floriculture | Top 25% | 4 |
| Food Science and Technology | Top 3 per district | 4 |
| Forestry | Top 2 per district | 4 |
| Livestock Evaluation, Junior (grades 9-10) and Senior | Top 20% (junior), top 30% (senior) | 4 |
| Livestock Management | Top 20% | 5-6 |
| Marketing Plan | Open enrollment with a written plan; selected teams present | 3 |
| Meats Evaluation and Technology | Top 25% | 4 |
| Nursery and Landscape | Top 4 per district | 4 |
| Poultry Evaluation | Top 2 per district | 4 |
| Veterinary Science | Top 3 per district | 4 |
| Welding | Top 5 per district | 4 |
Additional events include dairy cattle evaluation and management, horse evaluation, and milk quality and products. Where a percentage is used, the number of teams per district always rounds up.
Who Can Compete
- Students must be enrolled in at least one semester of an agricultural education course in the current school year, taught by a Nebraska certified or endorsed instructor or approved by state staff. FFA membership is not required by the state, though a local teacher may require it.
- Only schools with a complete agricultural education program and an FFA chapter in good standing may compete.
- Only one team per school may enter any state CDE unless the event rules say otherwise.
- Students may compete in a CDE for up to four years, unless they were on a state-winning team or took part in the national CDE.
Registration, Fees and Deadlines
Teachers register through the online CDE system; the district NAEA chairperson must mark a team as qualified before it can be registered. For the 2026 finals registration ran from March 3 at noon to March 9 at 5:00 p.m. Central. Only registered alternates may substitute on the day.
The fee is $9.00 per participant and alternates are free. Team fees cover materials: Agriscience $35, Ag Technology and Mechanics $45, Floriculture $60, and $30 for Senior Livestock Evaluation teams for lunch. Do not pay before receiving the emailed invoice; payment must be postmarked by May 15 to avoid late fees. There are no refunds after registration closes. East Campus parking passes are ordered during FFA registration.
Awards
Top three teams in each event receive plaques and medals, and the top three individuals receive medals. About half of teams and students get ribbons. Nebraska's winners advance to national events where offered, and runner-up teams in Livestock Evaluation Senior and Meats Evaluation may attend the National Western Roundup.
Questions
Who coordinates the events?
Dr. Matt Kreifels, coordinator of the Nebraska CDEs, 402-472-2815.
Is convention registration the same as CDE registration?
No, they are separate.
Official Links
- Nebraska Agricultural Education CDEs
- General rules and eligibility
- Registration and scheduling
- Event list
Nebraska FFA Career Development Events: The Essentials
Nebraska FFA Career Development Events (CDEs) are team contests in skills such as livestock evaluation, agronomy, veterinary science and welding. The UNL-run CDE program lists 25 events, held with the state FFA Convention in Lincoln.
Dates and path
State CDEs run March 31-April 2, 2027, and April 5-7, 2028. Most teams qualify at district contests; some events are open enrollment, while others take the top percentage of schools or a set number of teams per district. Teachers handle registration.
Eligibility
Students must be enrolled in an ag education course that school year. FFA membership is not required by the state, though your instructor may require it. Each school sends one team per event, and students may compete in an event for up to four years.
Awards
Plaques and medals go to the top three teams and top three individuals in each event, and ribbons go to the top half of teams and students. Nebraska's runner-up teams in Livestock Evaluation Senior and Meats Evaluation and Technology may attend the Western National Roundup. Students who need an eligibility exception should have their teacher contact the CDE coordinator before the registration deadline.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Nebraska Wheat Board Meeting
Wheat checkoff board meeting on the Nebraska Wheat calendar, held in Lincoln on Nov. 18, 2026, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau YF&R Conference
Young Farmers and Ranchers conference of Nebraska Farm Bureau at the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln, scheduled for Jan. 29 to 30, 2027.
- Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE)
Statewide youth contest with livestock judging, meats judging, poultry judging, quiz bowl, skill-a-thon, animal welfare judging and a companion animal challenge. The next dates posted are June 2 to 4, 2027, in Lincoln.
- Lancaster County 4-H BB Gun, Air Rifle and Air Pistol Contest
Morning shooting sports contest for BB gun, air rifle and air pistol at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Held each year; the most recent contest was February 7, 2026.
Lincoln, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Official event details - Lancaster County 4-H Rabbits R Us Fun Show and Showmanship Clinic
Beginner-friendly fun show and showmanship clinic for young rabbit exhibitors held in the South Hall of the Sandhills Global Event Center. Held each year; the most recent show was February 8, 2026.
Lincoln, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.