WTAMU hosted the 2012 Future Farmers Association (FFA) Career Development Events on March 23.

The gathering offered 17 agricultural events to FFA groups from five different states. Schools sent about four contestants to best represent their school, creating more than 2,000 FFA entries this year.

Contests included: Agriculture Mechanics, Agronomy, Equine, Poultry, Agriculture Communications, Cotton, Dairy Foods, Entomology, Farm Business Management, Land, Livestock and much more. New events this year were Agriculture Communications and Veterinarian Technology.

Dr. Kevin Williams, assistant professor of Agriculture, said the contest would be impossible without the WT faculty and students’ assistance with Agriculture Ambassadors and other groups.“These contests give students the opportunity to give something back to the next generation of high school students and see what these contests are like from the other side.” Williams said.

A student must be an active FFA member and currently enrolled in Agriculture Science classes to participate.

Dr. John Pipkin, a professor of Equine Studies, conducted the Equine events at the horse center.

“This contest is an excellent co-curricular activity for these students to be involved in,” Pipkin said.

Agriculture Graduate Assistant Amanda Deal said the CDE is beneficial for students who need practice.

“This lets them be more successful as a chapter, community and individual,” she said.

For more information about Future Farmers of America and upcoming events, visit their website at www.ffa.org.