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

In the senior division, Wesley Montgomery of Thomasville City placed first in the individual CDE competition. Grayson McPhaul of Ware County placed second, followed by Timothy Emory of Colquitt County finishing third. 

In the middle school division, Cole Ryan of Liberty Middle placed first in the individual CDE competition. Johnathan Rogers of Worth County Middle placed second, and Kaleb Bernard of Coffee County Middle finished third. 

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 Lawnmower Operations and Maintenance CDE helps students develop skills in operating commercial lawn mowers and various pieces of machinery safely. 

The Lawnmower Operations and Maintenance Career Development Event was sponsored by Support Georgia Agriculture and Grasshopper Company.

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. 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 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.