How Mississippi FFA Career Development Events Work
Career development events, or CDEs, are contests that test the skills of an agricultural career: identifying crops, judging plants and animals, running equipment, diagnosing problems. Students compete as teams, with individual scores also counted, and the best Mississippi teams earn a trip to the National FFA Convention. Contest rules and score sheets are set each year, so your chapter advisor is your best source for current dates and requirements.
The State Convention
The Mississippi FFA Association holds its state convention each June. The 93rd convention was set for June 2 to 4, 2026, at Mississippi State University in Starkville, where members take part in career and leadership development events, workshops and awards. The 92nd convention in 2025 was held in Hattiesburg, per the Panolian. State officers also run summer leadership camps at the C.M. Brewer FFA Center in Raymond.
One State Contest Decides the National Team
Mississippi picks its national teams in a straightforward way. A November 2025 Local Voice report notes that the state contest alone determines who represents Mississippi at nationals, which it contrasts with states that run several qualifying rounds. In 2025, Oxford High School's agronomy and floriculture teams qualified by winning the state level, then went to the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis.
Example Events
The Oxford teams show what Mississippi contests look like, per the Oxford Eagle:
- Agronomy: a general knowledge exam, identification of crops, seeds, weeds and insects, and a team activity.
- Floriculture: an exam, plant identification and a floral design practicum.
- Equipment and Tool Identification: a third Oxford team also qualified for the state contest, though the article does not report its result.
At nationals, the agronomy team finished 8th, with two gold and two silver individual ratings, and the floriculture team placed 37th. The agronomy event asked students to act as crop consultants, diagnosing plant health problems and recommending solutions. The floriculture event included floral arrangements and exams on floral design, plant identification and greenhouse management.
Who Is Coaching
The Oxford results came from the school's horticulture program, led by teacher Ken Hearn, per the Oxford Eagle. Three teams from one program reached the state contest in 2025: agronomy, floriculture and equipment and tool identification. That is a useful model for any chapter: a single advisor can build several small teams around the strengths of the students in the program, and each team studies a different body of material.
Ratings and Scoring
National results report both team placings and individual ratings. In 2025, the Oxford agronomy team had two gold and two silver individual ratings, and the floriculture team had two silver and two bronze ratings, per the Local Voice report. One agronomy member also passed an exam modeled on the International Certified Crop Advisor Exam, which the article describes as a post-graduate-level test. Ratings are awarded to individuals in addition to team placings.
Livestock Judging
Livestock judging is also on the calendar. The 2025 State Fair schedule in the 4-H Animal Lines newsletter listed a Livestock Judging Contest on October 5 at 3 p.m. in Barn 14. Check the current fair schedule for the next one. 4-H livestock judging and dairy judging contests also run in the spring for county teams.
Environmental Contests
FFA teams can also compete in the Mississippi Envirothon. The 2024 handbook allows one FFA team per school and advances the top FFA team from each area contest to state. Teams of five students rotate through forestry, wildlife, aquatic ecology, soils and land use, and a current issue, and each station is 52 percent written and 48 percent hands-on.
Choosing and Preparing
- Ask your advisor which events your chapter will enter and when the area and state dates fall.
- Pick an event that matches your project, such as agronomy for crop growers or floriculture for greenhouse students.
- Practice the hands-on parts. Plant and seed identification, practicums and team activities reward repetition.
- Train as a team. The Oxford agronomy team won its event in consecutive years, which suggests steady coaching helps.
- Get the current score sheets and rules from your advisor before you start studying.
Contest Day Habits
Whatever the event, the same habits help. Arrive early with your own pencils and approved supplies, listen carefully to the instructions, and do not leave a station until time is called. In team events, agree ahead of time who handles which part, since agronomy and floriculture both mix written work, identification and a team task. Afterward, ask for your score sheet and use it to plan next year's study.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Mississippi FFA state convention?
The 2026 convention was at Mississippi State University in Starkville, June 2 to 4. The 2025 convention was in Hattiesburg.
How does a team get to nationals?
The Mississippi state contest determines the national representatives, so winning your event at state is the route.
What does a national agronomy team do?
Students complete hands-on and written challenges as crop consultants, diagnosing plant problems and recommending solutions.
Where do I find the rules?
Ask your FFA advisor for the current Mississippi CDE rules and score sheets.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.