STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Tarleton State University will welcome more than 10,200 Texas FFA members from across the state for Invitational Career Development Event (CDE) judging contests on Thursday, March 27.
This marks the 53rd year for Tarleton State’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to host the statewide FFA invitational — the largest in the United States — organized by Michelle Damerau, contest coordinator.
Approximately 1,800 ag science teachers representing 525 Texas high schools will accompany the FFA members. Several hundred Tarleton State students are assisting as group leaders and contest mentors.
“We are honored to serve the youth of Texas by providing an opportunity to practice what they learn in the classroom at various Career Development Events coordinated by our faculty, staff and students.” said Dr. Barry Lambert, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The invitational is a practice round, preparing students for team judging in a variety of categories. FFA members compete in 18 contests: ag sales, dairy cattle, entomology, environmental and natural resources, farm business management, floriculture, homesite evaluation, horse, land, livestock, meats, milk quality and products, nursery/landscape, poultry, range, veterinary science, wildlife, and wool.
The top 20 in each judging category will receive a plaque and other prizes. Several $1,000 scholarships will be awarded, along with a $2,000 sweepstakes agricultural scholarship.
The invitational is the largest of four CDE contests Tarleton State will host this spring. The university will welcome high school students again April 9 for area FFA contests, April 24 for state FFA and May 8 for national FFA.
For more information, call 254-968-9020 or email damerau@tarleton.edu.
A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy and engagement — while transforming the lives of approximately 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.