Career Development Events

Career Development Events (or CDEs) are competitions for FFA members that help them explore different careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR). The Iowa FFA Association offers Career Development Events in 37 different areas, with some events designated as "Leadership CDEs" and others designated as "Skills CDEs." Leadership Career Development Events involve a leadership factor of some sort, such as public speaking or parliamentary procedure, while Skills CDEs are directly tied to a career area in agriculture and feature skills that can be transferred to college or a career. Some CDEs are individual competitions, and the rest are team events.

There are several levels of competitions, with many of the CDE areas starting at different levels. Carroll Area FFA is a chapter that competes within the Northeast Subdistrict (December), Southwest District (March), Iowa FFA Association (April), and the National FFA Organization (October). Competitions generally advance to the next level if they are high-ranking or achieving. A full list of competitions that Carroll Area FFA members can participate in is included below.