Career Development Events
Contests where members test the skills they learn in ag class.
Career Development Events (CDEs) are team contests that build the knowledge and skills used in agricultural careers. Members study, practice during GST and compete at district, state and national levels. Anyone can join a team: contact the chapter to get started.
Event descriptions are general summaries. Check the current Iowa FFA CDE handbook for rules and contest dates.
Events and our results
| Event | What it is | Maquoketa results |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Communications | Create and present ag news and media content. | |
| Agricultural Sales | Practice sales presentations and product knowledge. | |
| Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems (Ag Mechanics) | Solve tool, equipment and systems problems. | 2026 state qualifier |
| Agronomy | Identify crops, weeds and soils and make crop management decisions. | |
| Dairy Cattle Evaluation and Management | Judge dairy cattle and answer management questions. | 2026 state qualifier; members compete at World Dairy Expo |
| Environmental and Natural Resources | Work with soil, water, air and wildlife topics. | Bronze, 2017 |
| Farm and Agribusiness Management | Analyze farm finances and business decisions. | 2026 state qualifier |
| Floriculture | Identify plants, evaluate flowers and arrangements, and solve plant problems. | 9th at State and 6th at the NE District, 2026 |
| Food Science and Technology | Study food safety, quality and processing. | Bronze, 2017 |
| Forestry | Identify trees, measure timber and manage woodlands. | |
| Horse Evaluation | Judge horses and give reasons for placings. | |
| Livestock Evaluation | Judge beef, sheep and swine classes and give oral reasons. | Team at the NE District; Cooper Patterson 10th individual, 2026 |
| Marketing Plan | Build and present a marketing plan for an ag product or service. | |
| Meats Evaluation and Technology | Grade and identify meat cuts and judge carcasses. | |
| Milk Quality and Products | Test and evaluate milk and dairy products. | |
| Nursery/Landscape | Identify plants and plan landscape projects. | |
| Poultry Evaluation | Grade eggs and poultry and evaluate production. | 16th at State, 2025 |
| Veterinary Science | Animal health, disease and care topics. |
Leadership Development Events
Agricultural Issues Forum, Conduct of Chapter Meetings, Creed Speaking, Employment Skills, Extemporaneous Public Speaking, Parliamentary Procedure and Prepared Public Speaking.
Activity
Dairy Cattle Handlers Activity.
More results are on the Awards page and Above the Local Level.