EL CAPITAN FFA
LAKESIDE,CA | EST. 1971
CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENTS
Career development events (CDEs) are competitive activities held by the Future Farmers of America (FFA) that focus on developing essential skills for various agricultural careers. These events provide students with hands-on experiences, fostering teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities. By participating in CDEs, students can explore potential career paths, gain valuable knowledge, and build confidence, ultimately enriching their educational journey and preparing them for future success in the agricultural industry.
Here at El Capitan FFA, students have various opportunities compete and be apart of a CDE Team throughout the school year. Below are the CDEs offered within the program.
Farm Power & Machinery
The contest shall be designed to test a student’s mechanical skills and abilities relating to power equipment used in agriculture, and shall serve as a training forum for students interested in pursuing a career as an equipment technician.
Floral Judging
To effectively prepare students for the expectations of the agricultural floral industry
● Use critical thinking and oral communication skills
● Be able to demonstrate quality evaluation by judging potted foliage plants, cut flowers, flowering potted plants, and floral design classes
● Students will also demonstrate their design ability with flowers to wear, flowers to carry, and a floral design according to the floral industry standards.
Meats Judging
The purpose of the Meats contest is to create interest and promote understanding of the meat industry by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies in this field. These skills include identification of a variety of meat selections, evaluation of carcasses, and
questions concerning meat and its
Livestock Judging
To understand and to interpret the value of performance data
based on industry standards. Measure the students' knowledge in the following categories:
● Make accurate observations of livestock
● Determine the desirable traits in animals
● Make logical decisions based on these observations
● Discuss and to defend their decisions for their placing
● Instill an appreciation for desirable selection, management
and marketing techniques
● Develop the ability to select and market livestock that will
satisfy consumer demands and provide increased economic
returns to producers. Provide positive economic returns to
producers as well as meet the needs of the industry.
Vegetable Crop Judging
Students analyze the quality of vegetables as it relates to the
consumer standards. In addition they will identify pests and weeds, and place their products from best to worst while defending their placing to a judge.
Farm Records Judging
To help close the achievement gap we will encourage students to better analyze farm records which will reinforce mathematics
standards.
The competition consists of a journal, budget, and depreciation problem which mimics how each one should be done correctly in our own record book. There is also a hundred question test that has a variety of questions referring to the record book.
Agri-Science
The FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes middle and high school
students who are studying the application of scientific principles
and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises.
Veterinary Science
In the Veterinary Science CDE students working in teams demonstrate their technical competency with small and large animals by completing a written exam, critical-thinking scenario questions, identifications and hands-on practicums.
Horse Evaluation
In the Horse Judging CDE, students gain new insights into equine science by evaluating and ranking horses based on breed characteristics, conformation and performance. Participants defend their decisions through oral reasons in front of a panel of judges.
Food Sciences
The Food Science and Technology CDE) requires students to have an in-depth understanding of food product development, food presentation and food safety issues. Participants also use their sensory skills to solve problems and make sound decisions.
