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

In the senior division, Emily Strickland of Madison County was the high scoring individual, followed by Judd Brooker of White County and Audrey Brown of Madison County finishing second and third, respectively. In the team competition, the state winner was Madison County, followed by Perry High in second place and Crisp County in third.

In the junior division, Ava Willoughby of Madison County Middle placed first in the individual CDE competition, followed by Riley Claire Kelly of Crisp County Middle and Luke Wright of Perry finishing second and third, respectively. In the team competition, the state winner was Veterans, followed by Crisp County Middle in second place and Madison County Middle in 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 Livestock Evaluation CDE is designed for participants to demonstrate skills in the selection and marketing of livestock to satisfy consumer demands and provide increased economic returns to producers. Participants evaluate breeding and market cattle, swine, sheep and market goats. Contestants also present oral reasons on selected classes to defend their selection. 

The Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event was sponsored at the state level by the Camp Family Endowment.

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 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.