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

Levi Layton of Central of Carroll placed first in the individual CDE competition, followed by Thomas Finch of Banks County and Thomas Evans of Bleckley County, finishing second and third, respectively. In the team competition, the state winner was Bleckley County, followed by Banks County in second place and Central Middle 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 Technology Equipment CDE (formerly Jr. Ag Mechanics CDE) is open to FFA Members in grades 6th-9th grades.  The Agricultural Technology and Equipment Career Development Event is a team event with three parts: Skill Practicum/Problem Solving Activity, Tool/Equipment/Part Identification and Multiple-Choice Written Exam, following the procedures outlined in the GA FFA Association Career Development Guideline as created by the State Agricultural Mechanics Career Development Committee.

The Agricultural Technology and Equipment ID Career Development Event was sponsored on the state level by Georgia Ag Tag Sales.

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 $2,000 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.