What FFA Leadership Development Events Are
Leadership development events, or LDEs, are the speaking, meeting and interview contests of FFA. Where career events test technical knowledge, these test how a member communicates. National FFA's event list includes Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Issues Forum, Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Creed Speaking, Employment Skills, Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure and Prepared Public Speaking. The page does not label which are leadership events, but these are the speaking, meeting and employment-focused ones. Events are open to members in grades 7 to 12 and run at local, state and national levels, and each event has an official handbook and orientation packet.
Colorado State Convention
Colorado's leadership contests are decided during the state convention at Colorado State University Pueblo. The 98th convention in 2026 drew more than 2,000 members, per the Meeker school report. The 97th ran June 3-6 at the Pueblo Convention Center with the theme "Lead Unconditionally," according to the earlier Meeker report. CSU Pueblo says it hosts the convention every June and is under contract through the 100th anniversary, per its 96th convention article. Convention weeks also include delegate and nominating committees, the State FFA Degree and workshops.
How Qualifying Works
Members usually win at district level to reach state. In the Meeker report, Charlie Rogers won the district Employment Skills event and placed bronze at state, and Aimee Shults advanced to state finals in the Agriculture Education LDE and placed bronze. Ask your advisor for your district's contest dates and for any event with a preliminary round.
Event Formats
- Employment Skills. Requires a resume, cover letter, job application and mock interview. At the 98th convention the event included a preliminary interview and a final round.
- Agricultural Issues. A scripted team debate followed by judges' questions. Meeker's five-member team competed against two other state-qualifying teams, placed first and qualified for the National FFA Convention.
- Agriculture Education. An individual lesson. One state finalist taught how disruptions in the agricultural supply chain can cause food shortages.
- Creed Speaking. Recitation of the FFA creed; a Meeker freshman earned a silver rating in 2026.
- Prepared Public Speaking and Parliamentary Procedure. Both are listed nationally, and the Western National Roundup lists Prepared Public Speaking and a Parliamentary Procedure heading among its events.
Ratings such as gold, silver and bronze appear in the school reports for individual and team events.
Agriscience Fair
The Agriscience Fair is a research display and presentation event. At the 97th convention, a Meeker pair won silver for research on mental health awareness among male agriculturalists. Check with your advisor on how to enter.
Beyond the Contest Room
State officers are chosen by a nominating committee. At the 97th convention, nine members interviewed and evaluated candidates for the 2025-26 state officer team and chose the top 10. The convention also names delegate committee chairs who lead the Program of Activities. These roles reward the same public speaking and interview skills contests build.
National Competition
Colorado state winners may advance to the National FFA Convention and Expo, which is October 21-24, 2026, in Indianapolis. National pages note that Employment Skills virtual components are due mid-September and Parliamentary Procedure virtual components are due early October in the national cycle, so ask your advisor what applies to your team.
Who Has Placed Recently
School reports give a flavor of what Colorado chapters have achieved. Meeker FFA's 2026 results included first place and a national qualification in Agricultural Issues, silver in Creed Speaking by a freshman, gold in Employment Skills by a junior, and gold and silver in entrepreneurship proficiency awards. The earlier convention saw bronze placings in Agriculture Education and Employment Skills from the same chapter. Those placings come from one chapter's reports, not an official statewide results list, so check with the Colorado FFA Association for complete standings. They do show that a small-town chapter can reach the finals with steady preparation.
Workshops and Speakers
Convention is not only contests. The 97th convention workshops included a session on building and sustaining resiliency with a four-time Olympic triathlete, a leadership session with a California state officer and a session with a National FFA vice president. Plan your team's schedule so contest times and workshops do not collide.
Practical Tips
- Read the event handbook early and rehearse against its scoring rubric.
- Prepare your resume and application materials well before district.
- Practice answering follow-up questions, not just the prepared piece.
- Ask your advisor for 2027 dates and registration deadlines, which we could not find published.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Colorado FFA State Convention?
At Colorado State University Pueblo.
Who can compete in leadership events?
FFA members in grades 7 to 12, per National FFA.
What does Employment Skills require?
A resume, cover letter, job application and mock interview.
How do I qualify for state?
Chapters generally compete at district first. Ask your advisor for district dates and event rules.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.