What Are FFA Career Development Events?
Career Development Events (CDEs) are Texas FFA's contests in agricultural skills: evaluating livestock, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, meats and wool, judging land and range, identifying plants and insects, and testing knowledge in areas such as agronomy, floriculture, food science and veterinary science. The Texas FFA CDE page lists everything from Agricultural Communications and Agricultural Sales to Tractor Tech, Wildlife and Wool. Many CDEs qualify students for the National FFA CDE competition and/or offer scholarships.
The 2022-2026 CDE Handbook lists 29 events. Entries and results run through JudgingCard.com, and a 2027-2031 CDE Handbook is also posted.
Team Size
A chapter may enter one team per event, and all team members must come from the same chapter. According to the 2022-2026 CDE Handbook:
- Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Sales and Food Science & Technology use 4-member teams.
- Marketing Plan and Tractor Technician use 3-member teams.
- All other events, including Livestock, Dairy Cattle, Horse, Poultry, Meats, Land, Range, Entomology, Floriculture and Wool, allow 3 or 4 members.
How Scoring Works
With a four-member team, the three highest individual scores count toward the team total. The exceptions are Ag Communications, Ag Sales and Food Science, where all four scores count. All four members are eligible for individual awards, even when one score is dropped from the team total. Incomplete teams are not eligible for team recognition or state qualification.
Per-event scoring formulas are not in the handbook; they are in each event's own rules page. Some general scoring rules apply to every contest:
- Scan sheets must be marked with a No. 2 pencil and carry the correct team number. Officials will not correct a sheet, and scores without a correct team number are not tabulated.
- Scores are not announced until scoring monitors have verified them.
- If tiebreakers cannot separate the high-point individual, co-state champions may be declared.
The Road to State
- Area contestsQualifying teams advance from area events. The general rule is a minimum of 5 teams or 15 percent (or a major fraction) of fully eligible teams, unless the event's rules differ. Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems, Agricultural Sales, Applied Agricultural Engineering and Tractor Technician are capped at three teams per area. Ties for the last berth are certified by area coordinators, except in Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems.
- WildcardsSince the 2022 state events, each area's final qualifying position is an open state berth. Open berths go to the highest remaining scores regardless of area, and wildcards do not increase the total number of state teams.
- State CDEsHeld in spring at university and other host sites. See the dates below.
Qualified teams and advisors may not visit the state CDE site after area events held there. A violation can mean disqualification.
2027 State CDE Schedule
The Texas FFA CDE page lists these state dates and sites for 2027:
- March 7-8: Tractor Tech, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
- April 9: Applied Agricultural Engineering, Sam Houston State University
- April 15: Forestry, Angelina National Forest / Stephen F. Austin State University
- April 22: Dairy Cattle, ENR, Homesite, Land, Milk Quality and Range, Tarleton State University
- April 23: ATMS, Ag Sales, FMB, Floriculture, Forage, Marketing Plan and Nursery Landscape, Sam Houston State University
- April 24: Poultry, Livestock, Meats and Vet Science, Texas A&M University
- April 27: Wildlife, Region 5
- April 30 - May 1: Ag Comm, Agronomy, Cotton, Entomology, Food Science, Horse, Plant ID and Wool, Texas Tech University
Students may compete in only one state contest per day.
Eligibility and Rules
- Members must be dues-paying FFA members in good standing at the local, state and national levels, on the state roster, and under 21 at the national event.
- Members must be enrolled in an agriculture, food and natural resources course, or have completed one during the current academic year.
- Students who previously competed on a state-winning team, or at National FFA contests, cannot compete in future state qualifying events.
- Any communication between participants eliminates the team. Phones, smartwatches, headphones and programmable calculators are prohibited.
- Notes are allowed for events with questions about class content, but not on written exams.
- Late teams may join at the current stage but cannot make up missed portions.
Dress Code
Events require either official FFA dress or standard attire: closed-toe shoes, full-length pants or slacks, and a collared shirt with sleeves. Collars must be full and folded, and capri-type pants count as shorts. Logos are limited to clothing brands, school or organizational logos consistent with FFA ideals. Veterinary Science has its own requirements. Contestants who are out of compliance may fix the problem; those still in violation during the contest are disqualified.
Entry, Timing and Results
- Entries are made electronically at JudgingCard.com. The 2022-2026 handbook lists $60 per team, or $125 for ATMS and Applied Agricultural Engineering. The current CDE page cites a $75 fee excluding those two events, so confirm the fee with your advisor.
- Scan sheets: students get 10 minutes at the end of each event to complete them. Submitted sheets are not returned.
- Results are official at 5:00 p.m. on the second working day after the event.
- Appeals must be filed in writing by 5:00 p.m. on the working day after the decision.
- Accommodations: submit the form at least 14 days before the event. Students receive no additional time.
- Weather: providers should suspend activity when storms appear imminent and wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder or lightning.
Tips for Families
- Ask your advisor which contest day applies to your student's event, since several events share a day and site.
- State CDE champions must claim scholarships through the Texas FFA Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chapter enter more than one team?
No. A chapter may enter one team per event at the appropriate level.
Where do I find the rules for a specific event?
The Texas FFA CDE page links one rules page per event under the 2027-2031 CDE rules.
Official Resources
- Texas FFA - Career Development Events: event list, state dates, registration
- CDE Handbook 2022-2026 (PDF): team sizes, scoring, advancement, general rules
- CDE Handbook 2027-2031 (PDF): current general rules
Texas Listings Covered by This Guide
- Area II Tractor Tech
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area II Tractor Tech, scheduled January 22, 2027 at Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area IV Tractor Tech Contest
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area IV Tractor Tech Contest, scheduled January 24, 2027 at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area IX Tractor Tech CDE
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area IX Tractor Tech CDE, scheduled January 29, 2027 at Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area XI Area Tractor Tech CDE
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area XI Area Tractor Tech CDE, scheduled February 1, 2027 at Cuero, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area VI Applied Ag Engineering Contest
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area VI Applied Ag Engineering Contest, scheduled March 2, 2027 at Pittsburg, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area III AAE Contest
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area III AAE Contest, scheduled March 5, 2027 at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area V AAE Career Development Event
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area V AAE Career Development Event, scheduled March 5, 2027 at Collin College, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area XI AAE Career Development Event
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area XI AAE Career Development Event, scheduled March 29, 2027 at Blinn College - Brenham, Brenham, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area IV AAE CDE
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area IV AAE CDE, scheduled March 31, 2027 at TSTC Abilene, Abilene, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area IV Area Forage CDE
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area IV Area Forage CDE, scheduled April 6, 2027 at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area VIII Cotton CDE
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area VIII Cotton CDE, scheduled April 8, 2027 at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area VI Land, Forages, Forestry, and Homesite
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area VI Land, Forages, Forestry, and Homesite, scheduled April 8, 2027 at NTCC, Mount Pleasant, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- State AAE CDE
Texas FFA calendar listing for State AAE CDE, scheduled April 9, 2027 at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area IV Career Development Events
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area IV Career Development Events, scheduled April 9, 2027 at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area I CDE- Wool and FBM
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area I CDE- Wool and FBM, scheduled April 9, 2027 at Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area II Career Development Events at Texas Tech
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area II Career Development Events at Texas Tech, scheduled April 9, 2027 to April 10, 2027 at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area I Career Development Events at Texas Tech
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area I Career Development Events at Texas Tech, scheduled April 10, 2027 at Texas Tech, Lubbock, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area II Cotton, Wildlife, and Vet CDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area II Cotton, Wildlife, and Vet CDEs, scheduled April 13, 2027 at Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area I CDE- Land and Homesite
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area I CDE- Land and Homesite, scheduled April 14, 2027 at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area II Career Development Events at Tarleton
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area II Career Development Events at Tarleton, scheduled April 14, 2027 at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area I Vet Science, Forage, Ag Sales CDEs
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area I Vet Science, Forage, Ag Sales CDEs, scheduled April 16, 2027 at West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- Area III ATMS Contest
Texas FFA calendar listing for Area III ATMS Contest, scheduled April 16, 2027 at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- State CDEs at Tarleton State University
Texas FFA calendar listing for State CDEs at Tarleton State University, scheduled April 22, 2027 at Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- State CDEs at Sam Houston State University
Texas FFA calendar listing for State CDEs at Sam Houston State University, scheduled April 23, 2027 at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- State CDEs at Texas A&M University
Texas FFA calendar listing for State CDEs at Texas A&M University, scheduled April 24, 2027 at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
- State CDEs at Texas Tech University
Texas FFA calendar listing for State CDEs at Texas Tech University, scheduled May 1, 2027 at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas. Confirm times and entries with the chapter advisor or area FFA office before attending.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.