The Agricultural Communication Career Development Event provides individuals with basic communication skills necessary to take advantage of career opportunities in agricultural communication. Public communication about agricultural products, practices and policies is essential to the future of agriculture. Students who are equipped with strong communication skills and who can use a variety of media to help the public understand issues related to the agricultural industry have a bright future in the job market. This event draws from Ag Communication curricula that contain the following elements: strategic communication/integrated multimedia communication, science literacy, public issues and policy, presentation strategies, news writing/editing, Associated Press style.
The purpose of the Nebraska Agricultural Issues Forum Career Development Event is for a team of students to present a current issue to a public audience by developing a written portfolio that includes research and an understanding of an issue relevant to the local community and then preparing an oral presentation that examines both sides of an issue. Professional ethics and standards are emphasized in this event.
Floriculture is a discipline of horticulture concerned with the growing and marketing of flowers and ornamental plants, in addition to, usage in floral arrangement and design.
The Nebraska Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Career Development Event is comprised of strong technical content and complemented by the development of practical, hands-on skills. The subject matter areas and skill development practices have been grouped into three ‘systems’ areas, so named because of the complex interaction and synergistic processes common to agriculture. The term ‘system’ is used to emphasize the interactive relationship between each area of agricultural technology and mechanical systems.
The Nebraska Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems Career Development Event is comprised of strong technical content and complemented by the development of practical, hands-on skills. The subject matter areas and skill development practices have been grouped into three ‘systems’ areas, so named because of the complex interaction and synergistic processes common to agriculture. The term ‘system’ is used to emphasize the interactive relationship between each area of agricultural technology and mechanical systems.
The purpose of the Nebraska Marketing Plan Career Development Event is to assist students with developing practical skills in the marketing process through the development and presentation of a marketing plan. Students research and present a marketing plan for an agricultural product, supply or service for a local business, an existing or start-up enterprise. School-based enterprises cannot be used for the CDE. Though only three individuals are on a team, any number of students may assist with the marketing plan. For the event, a three-person team will submit the written plan and present the marketing plan involving the local community that provides a reasonable and logical solution to a marketing problem.
The purpose of the Nebraska Career Development Event, Environmental and Natural Resources, is to provide individuals with basic knowledge and skills necessary to take advantage of wildlife, ecosystems, soil, water and waste management career opportunities.
Nursery / Landscape is a discipline of horticulture focused on landscape design concepts; identifying, growing and managing landscape plants; and understanding and using hardscape materials and related products.
Students will be asked to recall and apply the material to actual and hypothetical management scenarios meant to replicate management decisions on farms, ranches, and other agricultural production units.
The purpose of the Nebraska Career Development Event, Environmental and Natural Resources, is to provide individuals with basic knowledge and skills necessary to take advantage of wildlife, ecosystems, soil, water and waste management career opportunities.
Nursery / Landscape is a discipline of horticulture focused on landscape design concepts; identifying, growing and managing landscape plants; and understanding and using hardscape materials and related products.
The purpose of the Nebraska Career Development Event, Environmental and Natural Resources, is to provide individuals with basic knowledge and skills necessary to take advantage of wildlife, ecosystems, soil, water and waste management career opportunities.
The Nebraska Livestock Management Career Development Event is predominantly a team-based competition with an individualized knowledge based component. Teams of five (5) or six (6) students will work together to complete six different species-based (beef cattle, dairy cattle, horse, poultry, sheep, and swine) practicum exams that will test their knowledge regarding the scientific basis and practical application of livestock management concepts related to nutritional management, breeding, genetic, and reproductive management, quality assurance and herd health management, and business management that includes both marketing and product evaluation.
The purpose of the Nebraska State Agronomy Career Development Event is to create interest and promote understanding in agronomy by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It also gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities available in agronomy and encourages students to pursue careers in agronomy.
The Nebraska Food Science and Technology Career Development Event is designed to promote learning activities in food science and technology related to the food industry and to assist students in developing practical knowledge of principles used in a team decision-making process.
The Nebraska Welding Career Development Event is designed to promote and create an interest in welding by providing opportunities for recognition through evaluation of the contestants' manipulative skills and general knowledge. These skills and knowledge correlate to the students preparation for employment in the broad field of welding, including agricultural and industrial welding.
The Nebraska Welding Career Development Event is designed to promote and create an interest in welding by providing opportunities for recognition through evaluation of the contestants' manipulative skills and general knowledge. These skills and knowledge correlate to the students preparation for employment in the broad field of welding, including agricultural and industrial welding.
The Nebraska Livestock Management Career Development Event is predominantly a team-based competition with an individualized knowledge based component. Teams of five (5) or six (6) students will work together to complete six different species-based (beef cattle, dairy cattle, horse, poultry, sheep, and swine) practicum exams that will test their knowledge regarding the scientific basis and practical application of livestock management concepts related to nutritional management, breeding, genetic, and reproductive management, quality assurance and herd health management, and business management that includes both marketing and product evaluation.
The purpose of the Nebraska State Agronomy Career Development Event is to create interest and promote understanding in agronomy by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It also gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities available in agronomy and encourages students to pursue careers in agronomy.
The purpose of the Nebraska Agricultural Biotechnology Career Development Event is to encourage students to explore the diversity of the Biotechnology Industry, in terms of basic knowledge, skills and applications of biotechnology to the workplace. The areas of agricultural biotechnology have important implications for the animal, plant, food, and pharmaceutical industries.
Thursday March 26, 2026 9:30am - 1:00pm CDT Keim Hall 214UNL East Campus
The purpose of the Nebraska Meats Evaluation & Technology Career Development Event is to create interest and promote understanding in the meat industry by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It also gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities available in the meat industry and encourages students to pursue careers in the meat industry.
The Nebraska Welding Career Development Event is designed to promote and create an interest in welding by providing opportunities for recognition through evaluation of the contestants' manipulative skills and general knowledge. These skills and knowledge correlate to the students preparation for employment in the broad field of welding, including agricultural and industrial welding.
The Nebraska Livestock Management Career Development Event is predominantly a team-based competition with an individualized knowledge based component. Teams of five (5) or six (6) students will work together to complete six different species-based (beef cattle, dairy cattle, horse, poultry, sheep, and swine) practicum exams that will test their knowledge regarding the scientific basis and practical application of livestock management concepts related to nutritional management, breeding, genetic, and reproductive management, quality assurance and herd health management, and business management that includes both marketing and product evaluation.
The purpose of the Nebraska Agricultural Sales Career Development Event is to develop communication and problem-solving skills essential for agricultural sales. Students will develop an understanding of the professional sales process. Teams will be given a scenario and asked to identify and demonstrate call planning. Individually, students will sell an identified product(s) or service(s) to a judge posing as a customer.
The purpose of the Nebraska State Agronomy Career Development Event is to create interest and promote understanding in agronomy by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It also gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities available in agronomy and encourages students to pursue careers in agronomy.
The purpose of the Nebraska Veterinary Science Career Development Event is to promote college and career readiness by providing opportunities to develop technical knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the field of Veterinary Science.
The purpose of the Nebraska Meats Evaluation & Technology Career Development Event is to create interest and promote understanding in the meat industry by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It also gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities available in the meat industry and encourages students to pursue careers in the meat industry.
The Nebraska Livestock Management Career Development Event is predominantly a team-based competition with an individualized knowledge based component. Teams of five (5) or six (6) students will work together to complete six different species-based (beef cattle, dairy cattle, horse, poultry, sheep, and swine) practicum exams that will test their knowledge regarding the scientific basis and practical application of livestock management concepts related to nutritional management, breeding, genetic, and reproductive management, quality assurance and herd health management, and business management that includes both marketing and product evaluation.
The purpose of the Nebraska Agriscience Career Development Event is to develop a foundation of knowledge and skills that will prepare first year students (9th or 10th grade) to continue in agricultural education coursework and enter agricultural careers within the natural resources, animal science, and/or plant science systems career fields.
The purpose of the Nebraska Veterinary Science Career Development Event is to promote college and career readiness by providing opportunities to develop technical knowledge and demonstrate practical skills in the field of Veterinary Science.
The purpose of the Nebraska Agriscience Career Development Event is to develop a foundation of knowledge and skills that will prepare first year students (9th or 10th grade) to continue in agricultural education coursework and enter agricultural careers within the natural resources, animal science, and/or plant science systems career fields.
The purpose of the Nebraska Meats Evaluation & Technology Career Development Event is to create interest and promote understanding in the meat industry by providing opportunities for recognition through the demonstration of skills and proficiencies. It also gives students an opportunity to explore career opportunities available in the meat industry and encourages students to pursue careers in the meat industry.
The purpose of the Nebraska Agriscience Career Development Event is to develop a foundation of knowledge and skills that will prepare first year students (9th or 10th grade) to continue in agricultural education coursework and enter agricultural careers within the natural resources, animal science, and/or plant science systems career fields.
The purpose of the Nebraska Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event is to provide the opportunity for students to identify, evaluate, and discuss relative differences in breeding and market livestock and to apply livestock industry knowledge and production priorities through evaluation and selection of beef cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats.
The purpose of the Nebraska Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event is to provide the opportunity for students to identify, evaluate, and discuss relative differences in breeding and market livestock and to apply livestock industry knowledge and production priorities through evaluation and selection of beef cattle, swine, sheep, and meat goats.
The Nebraska Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event seeks to effectively prepare the students for jobs in the poultry workforce. Workers seeking careers in poultry must develop a high degree of knowledge and must develop the ability to solve problems in the poultry industry. The contest blends practical hands-on experiences with a basic knowledge of the poultry industry required for careers in the poultry field.
The Nebraska Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event seeks to effectively prepare the students for jobs in the poultry workforce. Workers seeking careers in poultry must develop a high degree of knowledge and must develop the ability to solve problems in the poultry industry. The contest blends practical hands-on experiences with a basic knowledge of the poultry industry required for careers in the poultry field.
The Nebraska Poultry Evaluation Career Development Event seeks to effectively prepare the students for jobs in the poultry workforce. Workers seeking careers in poultry must develop a high degree of knowledge and must develop the ability to solve problems in the poultry industry. The contest blends practical hands-on experiences with a basic knowledge of the poultry industry required for careers in the poultry field.
The Top 10 individuals and Top 5 team representatives will be recognized on stage. Awards will be presented during the Nebraska FFA State Convention Final General Session at Pinnacle Bank Arena beginning at 3:00 PM.
Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm CDT Pinnacle Bank Arena400 Pinnacle Arena Dr, Lincoln, NE 68508
