What Illinois FFA Leadership Development Events Are
Leadership development events, or LDEs, test public speaking, meeting skills and decision making rather than a technical career. An Illinois FFA column says the state offers roughly 25 CDEs and LDEs combined, though it does not list the LDEs (AgriNews FFA Corner). Technical contests are covered in the career development events guide. Your advisor knows which LDEs your chapter enters and when practices start.
Events Named in 2026 Reports
- Varsity Parliamentary Procedure: a team event based on Robert's Rules of Order in which members make motions, debate and follow meeting procedure, per the Gillespie FFA report.
- Conduct of Chapter Meetings: a team event with a chair and officers, with individual chair awards.
- Job Interview and Agricultural Sales: named among fall state contests in 2025, though the source does not say which are CDEs and which are LDEs.
Other leadership contests, such as speaking events, exist in the national program, but the Illinois sources reviewed here did not describe them, so ask your advisor for the current Illinois list.
Section, District and State
Gillespie FFA's Parliamentary Procedure team placed first at both sections and districts, which qualified it for state. The path in Illinois is section, then district, then state, per that report. Cisne FFA's contests show how districts can look: the District 5 Varsity Parliamentary Procedure contest was March 26, 2026 and the Conduct of Chapter Meetings contest was March 19, both at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, per WFIW. Cisne placed second in Parliamentary Procedure and advanced to state, which that report says is held in May at Illinois Central College in Peoria. Kenzie Alvis tied for first as chairman, and Allison Shannon was first overall floor member. In Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Cisne placed fourth, and Rylee Dillon placed third as chair.
Teams and Individual Awards
These events reward both the group and the person. Cisne FFA's Parliamentary Procedure team listed six students and its Conduct of Chapter Meetings team listed seven. Judges give team placings and also individual honors, such as chairman and overall floor member in Parliamentary Procedure and chair in Conduct of Chapter Meetings. That means a student can earn recognition even when the team misses a podium spot, and it means every member needs a defined role, whether presiding, making motions or debating from the floor.
State Contests
AgriNews reported that the state LDEs for Conduct of Chapter Meetings and Parliamentary Procedure were held in the same two-day stretch of May contests as three state CDEs: "In just two days, Illinois FFA hosted three CDEs and two LDEs" (AgriNews). Fall state contests in 2025 included Job Interview and Agricultural Sales, hosted at Black Hawk College-East Campus, Joliet Junior College and Illinois State University, and Illinois earned 11 CDE and LDE plaques at the 98th National FFA Convention (AgriNews).
State Convention
The 98th Illinois FFA State Convention ran June 9 to 11, 2026 at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield under the theme "Sparking Your Future." The convention includes workshops, recognition ceremonies, officer sessions and the election of the next state officer team, and more than 5,000 people attended (County Chronicle). The 2026-27 state officers are Bryer Nelson of Canton, Collin Johnson of Franklin, Owen Rigg of Williamsfield, Lane Perry of Marshall and Levi German of Nokomis, with Haven Cash of North Clay. The previous year's state officers travel the state watching LDE competitions, per the convention preview.
Other Leadership Opportunities
Illinois also runs Ground Zero Leadership Conferences for freshmen, which a 2025 officer column said were expected to draw more than 1,275 freshmen across six conferences (AgriNews). These are conferences rather than contests, but they are a gentle first step.
What Judges Watch
In meeting events, judges watch whether a team follows correct procedure and stays orderly while discussing a motion. In Parliamentary Procedure, that means making motions, taking part in debate and following the rules of a real meeting. Practice with a full team in the room, since the contest depends on how members respond to each other under time pressure.
Choosing an Event
- Love rules and debate: try Parliamentary Procedure.
- Like running a tidy meeting: try Conduct of Chapter Meetings.
- Team events need a full roster, so tell your advisor early.
- Try a smaller event first if contests make you nervous.
Preparing
- Practice with Robert's Rules of Order and run mock meetings at chapter meetings.
- Record yourself and have an advisor or officer give feedback.
- Check section, district and state dates early, because spring is crowded.
- Plan travel and rooms for district sites such as Carbondale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reach state in Parliamentary Procedure?
Win at section and district. Gillespie qualified by placing first at both, and Cisne advanced with a second place at District 5.
Where is the Illinois FFA State Convention?
The 2026 convention was at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, June 9 to 11.
Who do I ask about my chapter's events?
Your chapter's agriculture teacher and FFA advisor.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.