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

In the senior division, Olivia Dickson of Apalachee was the high scoring individual, followed by Joanna Kimbrell of Habersham Central and Jack Keener of Gilmer County placing second and third respectively. The senior team state winner was Habersham Central, followed by North Hall in second place and Apalachee in third. 

The junior division high individual was Tucker Guest of Houston County, followed by Sarah Dunford of Houston County in second place and Willow Shoemaker of Central of Carroll Middle in third place. The junior team state winner was Houston County, with second place going to Central of Carroll Middle and third place to Rutland Middle.

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. The Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event emphasizes skills in dairy cattle selection and dairy herd management and provides experience in the evaluation of dairy cattle type, production records, and dairy herd management. Participants evaluate dairy animals and place by type, give oral reasons for their placing and take a written examination.  

The Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event was sponsored at the state level by the Frankie & Peggy Farbotko in Honor of William C. “Tootie” Quick & Cargill.

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.