What do the letters CDE stand for in FFA?

The letters CDE stand for Career Development Event in FFA. This refers to contests that are designed to help students learn valuable skills and gain knowledge relevant to their career interests in agriculture and related fields. CDEs cover a variety of topics, ranging from public speaking to farming practices, and often take the form of competitions where students can apply their classroom knowledge in practical scenarios. The goal of CDEs is to prepare FFA members for their future careers by enhancing their leadership skills, ability to think critically, and understanding of agricultural practices.