This year, the Southern University and A&M College held the 17th Annual Area IV Future Farmers of America (FFA) Career Development Event (CDE) on March 23.

This event brings together 1,100 students from 50 high schools and 25 surrounding parishes, not including teachers and parents who provide assistants each year. The CDE consists of ten judging contests: Livestock, Beef, Floriculture, Dairy Cattle, Welding, Small Engine, Meats, Poultry, Nursery & Landscaping and Dairy Products. This event develops students' leadership ability; provides them with the opportunity to visit an 1890 Land Grant Institution and enlightens them on issues that impact agriculture in the state of Louisiana.

The CDE's stiff competitions were rewarded with outstanding results. In the Dairy Foods category, Central Lafourche claimed first place and Chelsey Sloan of Springfield Blue held the High Individual score. In Electricity, first place went to Colby Thompson of Franklinton. Franklinton Blue placed first in Small Engines, while Dylan Schexnayder, St. Amant Gold took top High Assembly position and Kyle Creel, Franklinton Blue soared High in Troubleshooting. Thibodaux came in first in the Livestock category with Chris Moore of Central Lafourche as High scoring Individual. In Floriculture, Walker Blue placed first, Top Middle position was Fifth Ward Blue, and High Individual was Victoria Arledge of Walker's Blue team. The first place went to Springfield Blue in Nursery/Landscape, Fifth Ward Blue took Top Middle position and Rob Winn, of Springfield Blue took home the High Individual score. In the meats category, first place went to Central Lafourche Blue, Top Middle went to Raceland Middle and Emily Pontiff of Central Lafourche Blue ranked as High Individual. The Poultry contest concluded with Springfield Blue in first place, Fifth Ward Junior in Top Middle and Cody Scott of Springfield Blue ranked as High Individual.

The event took place at M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena, Highway 61N in Alsen, LA and Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge

Willie Rawls, Associate Research Director and William Augustine, Research Associate/Technology Support coordinate the annual event.

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