MACON, Ga. – Winners of the Agricultural Electrification Career Development Event (CDE) were recognized at the 96^th Georgia FFA State Convention held at the Macon Centreplex on April 25-27, 2024. 

Luke Johnson of Banks County placed first in the individual CDE competition. In second place was Ethan Parks of Bleckley County, followed by Lance Dawson of Wayne County in third. Aaron Dickson of Creekview, Jaycob Lee of Charlton County, and Luke Chastain of Rabun County placed fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. 

CDE awards are granted to FFA members and teams who have exhibited premier leadership, personal growth and career success in a variety of competitions. Participants in the Agricultural Electrification Career Development Event demonstrate the proper use of electrical tools, present a speech/demonstration on an electrical energy-related topic, answer problem solving questions pertaining to electrical wiring and rural electrification, and complete an assigned wiring problem based on The National Electrical Code. 

The Agricultural Electrification Career Development Event was sponsored by Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives.

All individual winners received a plaque and a cash award. The first place individual winner received a $1,000 scholarship. The second place individual received $750, and the third place individual received $500. Additionally, the advisor of the individual winner received a $250 cash prize. 

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 940,000 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.