Mt. Juliet Wins State Marketing Plan Contest

Members of the Mt. Juliet FFA Chapter won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Marketing Plan Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 27.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Marketing Plan Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The Mt. Juliet agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Matthew Farris, Mitzi Pigg, Lindsey Nicholas, and Don Willoughby.

The Marketing Plan CDE helps students practice and sharpen skills in marketing through the development and presentation of a marketing plan. The plan may focus on the introduction of a new agricultural product, supply or service or on improving marketing of an existing product, supply, or service. The Tennessee FFA Foundation sponsored a cash award for expenses related to participation in the national contest.

McNairy Central Wins Farm Business Management Contest

Members of the McNairy Central FFA Chapter won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Farm Business Management Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 27.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Farm Business Management Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The McNairy Central member’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Rod Barnes and Ben Dodd.

The Farm Business Management CDE is designed to test the ability of students to apply economic principles and concepts in analyzing farm and ranch business management decisions. Participants respond to questions concerning economic principles in farm business management as well as a problem-solving analysis section. Farm Credit Services of Mid-America sponsored a cash award for expenses related to participation in the national contest.

Munford FFA Wins State Agricultural Communications Contest

Members of the Munford FFA Chapter won first–place in the Tennessee Association FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 27.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Agricultural Communications Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The Munford agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Ann Johnson, Bill Newsom, Ashley Bringle, Glenn Goulder and Robbie McRae.

The agricultural communications career development event consists of a communications quiz and editing exercise, followed by each team member completing one of the following four practicum areas: news writing, press release writing, broadcasting or graphic design.

The Citizens Tri-County Bank of Dunlap in honor of Flavius Barker sponsored a cash award to the team for expenses relating to participation in the national contest.

Wilson Central FFA Member Wins Prepared Speaking Contest

William Singer of the Wilson Central FFA Chapter won first-place in the FFA Prepared Public Speaking Division during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 26.

The prepared public speaking CDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in a well thought out and logical manner in a competitive setting. Members prepare and deliver a six-to eight-minute speech from memory and respond to five minutes of questions. The event is just one way FFA members can develop their ability to communicate in a powerful, organized and professional manner.

Singer’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Benny McDonald and Pamela Walker. Lee Todd, in honor of Horace Colvett and Sam Sparks, sponsored a cash award for expenses relating to participation in the national contest.

Wilson Central FFA Member Wins State Extemporaneous Speaking Contest

Kevin Robertson of the Wilson Central FFA Chapter won first-place in the FFA Extemporaneous speaking division during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 26.

The Extemporaneous Public Speaking CDE is designed to recognize outstanding FFA members for their ability to prepare and present a factual speech on a specific agricultural issue in a well thought out and logical manner. Members select one topic from a choice of categories, have thirty minutes to prepare a four to six minute speech, and respond to five minutes of questions following delivery.

Robertson’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Benny McDonald and Pamela Walker. The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation sponsored a cash award for expenses relating to participation in the national contest.

Paris FFA Member Wins State FFA Job Interview Contest

Melinda Perkins of the Paris FFA Chapter won first-place in the FFA Job Interview career development event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 26.

The job interview CDE is a competitive activity that tests student’s ability to perform effectively throughout the entire job application process. The participants prepare a resume, cover letter and complete a written application. They also participate in phone, one-on-one and panel job interviews as part of the competition.

Perkins’s agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Tommy Barrow and Laura Moss. CSX Transportation sponsored a cash award for expenses relating to participation in the national contest.

Houston FFA Wins State FFA Agricultural Issues Forum Career Development Event

Members of the Houston FFA Chapter won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Agricultural Issues Forum Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 26.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Agricultural Issues Forum Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The Houston agricultural education instructor and FFA advisor is Kevin Carter.

The Agricultural Issues Forum CDE is a competitive activity that tests students’ knowledge of agricultural issues and evaluates how well they can apply classroom knowledge to real -life situations. To qualify for the National Agricultural Issues Forum CDE, teams must design a presentation that addresses multiple viewpoints of a contemporary agricultural issue and present it to a number of audiences in their community. They present a portfolio based on their local audiences’ feedback and deliver their presentation to a panel of judges. Helena Chemical Company sponsored a cash award to the team for expenses relating to participation in the national contest.

Dyersburg FFA Wins State FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event

Members of the Dyersburg won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 26.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Agricultural Sales Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The Dyersburg agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Chris Cummins and Jessica Smith.

The Agricultural Sales CDE is a competitive activity that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. The event includes actual sales presentations, a written exam, a team sales situation, an individual practical situation focusing on customer relations, customer service or prospecting for customers. Learning Labs and Applied Technology sponsored a cash award to the team for expenses relating to participation in the national contest.

Wilson Central FFA Wins Opening and Closing Ceremonies Contest

Members of the Wilson Central FFA Chapter won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Ceremony Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 25.

The Wilson Central agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Pam Walker and Benny McDonald.

The FFA Ceremony CDE is a competitive activity that allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. The event is limited to freshman FFA members only and includes learning the FFA Opening and Closing Ceremonies, proper public speaking skills, use of voice, stage presence, power of expression and proper appearance and working cooperatively in a team. The Florida Farm Bureau Marketing Division sponsored a cash award to the team for expenses relating to participation in the contest.

McEwen FFA Wins State Parlimentary Procedure Contest

Members of the McEwen FFA Chapter won first-place in the Tennessee Association FFA Parliamentary Procedure Career Development Event during the 85^th Tennessee State FFA Convention on March 25.

This team will represent Tennessee in the National Parliamentary Procedure Career Development Event at the National FFA Convention in October. The McEwen agricultural education instructors and FFA advisors are Glenn Ross and Joe Greene.

The Parliamentary Procedure CDE tests students’ ability to effectively communicate ideas during a meeting. Components included a general knowledge exam of parliamentary law, a ten-minute demonstration of parliamentary procedure, oral questions, and written minutes of the demonstration. The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation sponsored a cash award for expenses related to participation in the national contest.