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

Harley Ledford of Banks County FFA placed first in the individual CDE competition. Other finalists were Summerrai Mitchell of Alcovy FFA, Haley Vieira of Habersham Central FFA, and Monica Gomez of Ware County FFA.

CDE and LDE awards are granted to FFA members and teams who have exhibited premier leadership, personal growth and career success in a variety of competitions. This individual event is designed for FFA members to develop, practice and demonstrate skills in teaching agricultural education. Each part of the event simulates, as closely as possible, real-world classroom teaching and learning activities and procedures. The event is developed to help participants in their current job search for future employment as a school-based agricultural education instructor.

The Agricultural Education Leadership Development Event was sponsored at the state level by Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (GVATA).

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. 

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