Nearly 1,000 FFA high school students from dozens of schools around Texas were on campus February 22 for Prairie View A&M University’s annual Invitational FFA Career Development Event (CDE). Students participated in various competitions, showing off their skills in poultry, home site, land evaluation, milk quality, public speaking, farm business management, entomology, floriculture, nursery/landscape, and veterinary science.
“The CDE prepares students to master skills needed in their respective career fields,” said Dr. Wash A. Jones, an associate professor in PVAMU’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences who helped organize the event. “It also serves as an important practice round for students seeking to compete in subsequent similar events at the area, state, and national levels.”
Jones said support from more than 200 volunteers, comprised of students, faculty and staff members, helped make CDE a success. “Our volunteers learn valuable skills while assisting in these events,” said Jones. “Additionally, through the CDE, PVAMU makes a great impact on student preparation and success while also bringing extreme positive visibility to the university, the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences, and the resources we offer. Since 2014, when we offered our inaugural CDE, we have received tremendously positive feedback from our clients in terms of the excellent experience we offer students. They continue to be impressed with our attention to details, professionalism and customer service.”
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-This story by Marchita Shilo originally appeared in Academic Insights.