Career Development Events (CDEs) are "Judging Teams" designed to develop/enhance a students analytical thinking skills.  Students will be tested on their ability to determine the "best" of a certain agricultural product.  These teams are travel intensive, and will be staying overnight at different towns to compete at competitions across the state. *Practice times will most likely start in the Spring, and will be determined by each individual teacher.

Mr. Garcia:

Entomology - Bug Team. Students apply the fundamentals of entomology and develop skills in identifying common insects and their significance to people and agriculture. This competition is a mix of questions exam and insect identification. There are 25 questions and 25 specimen. For each specimen, student identify order, name, mouth part, metamorphosis and purpose

 Homesite Evaluation-Introduces students to nonagronomic use of land included, but not limited to, the suitability of various types of land for building sites, home sanitation systems, impoundment structures, lawns, and other construction considerations. Students consider the texture-surface, permeability, depth of soil, slope, erosion, surface runoff, shrink-swell and water table for 4 different land sites.

Land Evaluation- Introduces students to factors involved in the stewardship of soil, which include soil texture, permeability, total depth, percent slope, prior erosion loss, and how quickly surface water moves across the landscape. Students use these factors to determine Land Class, and to recommend certain land management and conservation practices to ensure the sustained productivity of agricultural sites.

Nursery/Landscape - This CDE encourages members to apply their landscaping, marketing and service skills as they complete a written exam, identify various landscaping plant materials and evaluate plant materials and landscape plans.

Plant Identification- Students recognize a significant number of specific plants and their fundamental growth characteristics as well as understand the importance of plants as a component of the environment in which animals exist.

Ms. Keck:

Cotton - Team members evaluate 50 cotton samples and class each sample as to color grade and leaf grade.

Dairy Cattle - During this event, team members complete a written exam, evaluate dairy cattle on physical characteristics and analyze cows based on pedigree and herd record.  Teams consist of three or four members and the top three scores are compiled for team results.

Floriculture - Classroom knowledge and skills are applied as students identify and evaluate cut flowers, house plants, flowering plants, floral designs and complete an exam that tests their knowledge of floral design, propagation as well as preparation of floral and foliage products for sale.

Milk Quality & Products - As a result of event outcomes, members develop a greater understanding of quality production, processing, distribution, promotion, marketing and consumption of dairy products. Team members complete a written exam, evaluate milk samples, identify cheeses and distinguish real and artificial dairy foods. Teams are composed of three or four members. The top three scores are tabulated in the team score.

Range- The Range CDE and its supporting instruction helps students understand the ways to better improve and conserve our natural resources of rangeland.

Mrs. Roos

Ag Communications - Teams consisting of four members participate in a simulated news conference, then use the information collected to complete practical problems including writing a news story and press release; creating a three-page website and developing a page layout. Participants also complete a written communications quiz and an editing exercise.

Environmental Natural Resources (ENR) - This contest is a combination of Forestry, Wildlife, and Plant ID. 

Forestry- This event familiarizes students with the efforts of soil and water conservation districts and Natural Resource and Conservation Services (NRCS) in stressing proper use of woodlands. It is also intended to create an awareness and understanding of the value of properly managed woodlands and to promote a greater appreciation of woodlands as renewable natural resources.

Horse - This CDE allows members to observe and evaluate in order to rank horses based on breed characteristics and conformation. Performance classes are evaluated within various equestrian styles.  American Quarter Horse standards are used in performance classes. Three or four member teams with the top three scores counting toward team score.

Veterinary Science - Team members will be testing over parasites, animal breeds, vet instruments and 3 practical vet skills. The Veterinary Science CDE provides opportunities for participants to develop technical knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the field of veterinary science.

Wool - Members within a team each evaluate fleeces for fineness, length and yield, rank fleeces within a group and give reasons for their placing of those classes. Contestants must be very familiar with all grading standards and evaluation techniques because no measuring devices are to be used during the contest.

Mr. Strickler:

Applied Agricultural Engineering (Welding)- The purpose of the Applied Agricultural Engineering CDE is to promote career and post-secondary readiness by providing opportunities to develop knowledge and demonstrate skills in the field of agricultural engineering. 

Tractor Technician- In this three part competition, team members appraise components and parts of tractors and agricultural implements and make recommendations for services needed and not needed, complete a written exam and finally the team of three members, working as a group, will compete in locating and correcting five deliberately placed malfunctions in diesel fueled tractors and safely navigate the repaired tractor through a driving course within the 25 minute time limit.

Wildlife - Students apply the information gained through enrollment in the agricultural science wildlife management course to demonstrate and identify plant species, proper habitat management practices, safety procedures, game laws, management techniques as well as compass and pacing skills.

 
Ms. Wunderlich:

Ag Sales- A four member team demonstrates the professional sales process including customer relations, advertising and promotion, telephone skills and product display.  Members also complete an exam, present a project summary and make a sales presentation for an agricultural product. They complete one of four practical problems and cooperatively solve a market analysis problem.

FBM (Farm Business Management) - Management skills and economic principles are applied to agriculture and agribusiness situations as team members complete a written exam and solve farm analysis problems.

Food Science- A four member team designs a new food product or re-designs an existing one using a marketing scenario, as they covers product development and presentation, along with food safety issues. Participants use their sensory skills to evaluate and solve problems while applying sound principles in a decision making process.

Livestock Evaluation- Beef cattle, sheep and swine are evaluated for market values and desirable physical traits.  Team members also rank livestock for breeding purposes, using observed physical characteristics and performance data.