MACON, Ga. – Winners of the Nursery and Landscape 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, Aaron Wright of Colquitt County was the state high scoring individual, followed by Imanol Pizana of Rutland and Maredith Prillaman of North Oconee in second and third respectively. In the team competition, the state winner was North Oconee, followed by Mary Persons in second place and Rutland in third.

In the junior division, Brenlee Mayes of Athens Christian was the state high individual, followed by Finley Langham of Bagley Middle and Addison Colbert of Rutland finishing second and third, respectively. In the team competition, the state winner was Rutland, followed by Athens Christian in second place and Bagley 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 Nursery and Landscape CDE tests participants’ knowledge and skills in various aspects of the industry. This event includes the identification of plant materials and disorders, as well as a hands-on problem solving and a written exam involving the production, design, installation, and maintenance of landscape plants, related products, equipment and services. 

The Nursery and Landscape Career Development Event was sponsored at the state level by the Georgia Ag Tag Sales and Pennington Seed, Inc..

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. 

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