MACON, Ga. – Winners of the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) were recognized at the 95^th Georgia FFA State Convention held at the Macon Centreplex on April 27-29, 2023. 

Daisy Shaw of Islands was the state high individual. Lauren Gray of Central of Carroll placed second, and finishing in third was Emma Jones of Tift County. In the team competition, the state winner was Madison County, followed by Berrien County in second place and Tift County in third.

CDE awards are granted to FFA members and teams who have exhibited premier leadership, personal growth and career success in a variety of competitions. The Agricultural Communications CDE is a competitive activity that tests students’ skills in all areas of agricultural communications. Team members attend a news conference, then use the information gathered to complete individual practicums in press release writing, commercial production, and graphic design. Each team member also completes an editing exercise and a general communications quiz.

The Agricultural Communications Career Development Event was sponsored at the state level by Darling Ingredients, Inc.. 

All individual and team winners received a plaque and a cash award. Individual winners received $100, second place individuals received $50 and third place individuals received $25. The winning team was awarded $1,500 travel money to attend the National FFA Convention. Additionally, the advisor of the state winning team received a $100 cash award. 

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, changed its name in 1988 to reflect the growth and diversity of agriculture. There are nearly 860,000 FFA members nationwide. The Georgia Association has more than 80,000 members, making it the third largest Association in the nation.  The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, through agricultural education.