Agricultural Issues Handbook
Purpose:
The purpose of the agricultural issues forum is to present a current issue to a public audience; therefore, professional ethics and standards are to be considered. Ignoring truthful information, falsifying needed information, using unreliable sources and plagiarism are violation examples that could result in disqualification.
Objectives:
This event will provide the participant with the ability to:
- Investigate a variety of local, state, national and international issues facing agriculture through classroom instruction.
- Engage students in the selection, research, planning and presentation of a local, state, national or international agricultural issue with relevance to the local community.
- Demonstrate through the portfolio, presentation and questioning an understanding of the principles and fundamentals of agricultural issue analysis.
- Connect agriculture students with professionals in the industry as they research and present their forum.
- Increase the awareness of an agricultural issue at the local, state or national level through presentations of the forum.
- Apply teamwork, leadership and communication skills for career success.
Rules:
- The purpose of this agricultural issues forum is to present a current issue to a public audience; therefore, professional ethics and standards are considered. Ignoring truthful information, falsifying needed information, using unreliable sources and plagiarism are violation examples which could result in disqualification.
- Presentations may include official FFA dress, costumes, props, skits, and other creative paraphernalia.
- A minimum of three and maximum of seven students who are actively participating, orally presenting, and available for judge’s questions. An eighth person may be used to operate the technology but cannot take an active part in the presentation or answer judges questions.
Procedure:
The event will take place in conjunction with the Job Interview CDE at a site approved by the FFA Board of Trustees. The number of teams allowed per chapter will be decided by the host site.
Eligibility:
Is addressed on the front page of Activities and Awards Bulletin. A Chapter does NOT have to compete in a district level event to be eligible for state competition.
Event Format:
Equipment provided by host site: projector, TV/VCR, easel, and screen. Other equipment is allowed but must be provided by the participating chapter.
Each team will conduct a presentation on the issue developed and presented at the local level.
The issue must come from one of the following seven agricultural topic areas:
- Environmental Issues
- Agricultural Technology Issues
- Animal Issues
- Agricultural Career Issues
- Economy and Trade Issues
- Agricultural Policy Issues
- Food Safety Issues
The same agricultural issue presentation and portfolio will not be used in subsequent years by the same chapter.
A portfolio will follow the procedures and scoring as outlined in the National FFA CDE Handbook. The portfolio will be scored only once by a separate panel of judges prior to presentation and that score will move forward to each round. Scoresheet located in CDE handbook.