What Are Oklahoma FFA Career Development Events?
Career Development Events (CDEs) are Oklahoma FFA contests in which students apply what they learn in agricultural education classes to judging, identification, problem solving and business skills. Oklahoma State University runs them for the state through its Ferguson College of Agriculture. The OSU description of the state contest says the events are designed to spark students' interest in agriculture and the many jobs it includes.
The state contest is State FFA Interscholastics at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, sponsored by Farm Credit Services of Oklahoma. The 2026 contest was listed for April 24-25, 2026, starting at 8:00 AM. The national qualifying event for CDE areas is held there, except forestry, which is held at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton.
Who Can Compete
- Students in grades 8-12 who are regularly enrolled in a yearlong, school-based agricultural education program with a certified ag ed instructor.
- The chapter must have paid its Affiliate Membership Fees Package, and the student must be in good standing and on the current chapter roster.
- Oklahoma does not allow seventh graders to be FFA members.
- A chapter may enter one team per event unless the rules say otherwise. A member may take part in only one event on the Saturday of State FFA Interscholastics.
- Nationally, a member may compete in only one CDE per year, and only grades 9-12 may be selected for national teams.
These rules come from the OSU General CDE Guidelines. Read them before every season, because they are updated yearly.
Events and Team Sizes
Most team events allow four members, and the top three scores count toward the team score. The guidelines and event pages name these events:
| Event | Entry |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Communications | Team of 4 unless stated |
| Agricultural Education | Individual |
| Agricultural Issues Forum | Team of 3-7 |
| Agricultural Sales | Team of 4 unless stated |
| Agriscience Fair | 1 or 2 students |
| Agronomy | Team of 3 or 4 |
| Animal Science Quiz Bowl | Team of 4 unless stated |
| Employment Skills | Individual |
| Food Science and Technology | Team of 4 unless stated |
| Freshman Agriscience Quiz Bowl | Team of 4 unless stated |
| Marketing Plan | Team of 3 |
| Poultry Evaluation | 2 per the guidelines page plus 4 alternates; 4 plus 2 alternates in the 2025 PDF |
Other contests, including Dairy Cattle Evaluation, Ag Tech and Mechanical Systems and Forestry, appear on OSU pages but their team sizes are not summarized here. The OSU CDE home page links to descriptions, schedules, superintendents and results for each one.
Example: Agronomy
The Agronomy CDE includes plant, seed, damage, insect, disease and machinery identification (300 points), grain grading (300 points) and a 50-question knowledge exam (300 points). Individuals can score 900 points and teams 2,700. Contestants may bring a magnifying lens, clipboard, pencil, calculator, watch and grain grading papers. Phones and smartwatches lead to disqualification. District and invitational contests are run by local sponsors who set their own times and locations.
Registration and Fees
- Registration is electronic at JudgingCard.com, using your FFA Chapter ID as the default login if you have not used the site before.
- For 2026, registration was open March 1 to April 1, with late registration April 2-9 at $100 per entry. Dairy Cattle Evaluation had no late registration.
- The entry fee is $3.00 per student, except for qualifying events.
- Schools are billed for scan sheets even if a registered participant does not compete.
- Agriscience Fair applications were due March 3, 2026.
Qualifying events that need no pre-registration are Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Senior Parliamentary Procedure, all speech divisions, Freshman Agriscience Quiz Bowl and Agriscience Fair.
Dress Code and Conduct
Official FFA dress is required in Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Sales, Agriscience Fair, Animal Science Quiz Bowl, Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Employment Skills, Food Science and Technology, Freshman Agriscience Quiz Bowl, Marketing Plan, Senior Parliamentary Procedure and Public Speaking.
- Phones, pagers and unauthorized calculators are prohibited unless officials approve them.
- Talking between participants eliminates the members involved, except during team activity portions.
- Teams arriving after an event begins may be disqualified, and no substitutions are allowed once it begins.
- Participants are responsible for accurate scan form information. Officials will not correct them.
Awards and Results
The OSU results page says the top three teams receive trophies, the top three individuals receive medals, and first-place members of team-only events each receive an individual medal from OSU. OSU presents awards on stage on the Wednesday of State FFA Convention. Results are unofficial until they become official, and protests must be written and sent to the OSU general superintendent. The winning team or individual in each national qualifying event represents Oklahoma at the National FFA Convention.
For Parents and Spectators
- Ask the chapter advisor which contests your student is entered in and when each one starts.
- Be on time. Late teams can be disqualified.
- Coaches and assistants should stay out of the tabulation room until official results are posted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the state CDE contest?
At State FFA Interscholastics on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater. Forestry is held at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton.
Can an eighth grader compete?
Yes, at the state level, unless an event sets a specific age requirement. An eighth grader on a state-winning team (other than Conduct of Chapter Meetings) cannot compete on that team nationally.
How do I find contest dates?
The OSU CDE home page links a spring schedule with the date, time and location for each event, and a superintendent contact for each contest.
Official Resources
- OSU FFA CDE home: schedule, superintendents and results
- OSU General CDE Guidelines: eligibility, dress and conduct
- OSU CDE Registration: windows and fees
- OSU CDE Results and Awards
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.