Central Arkansas Career Development Event

Every year since the 1980's the Conservation Districts from Faulkner, Conway, and Van Buren County have held a practice FFA Judging Competition for Arkansas FFA students. Cleburne County Conservation District in the past few years has joined our efforts to form the Central Arkansas Career Development Event (Central Arkansas CDE). In 2019, we have over 1,500 students attend this event from over 70 schools in Arkansas. Below you will find pictures from the contests we hold each year. 

In 2023, we had around 1700 students at Cleburne County Fair Grounds. 

Here is a photo of one part of the Poultry Contest. Students judge the quality of multiple types of poultry. Special thanks to the University of Arkansas Extension Service for always providing a proctor.

In this photo are judges looking at different types of cheese for the Milk Quality and Products contest. 

Here is a photo of the Agronomy contest. Students look at multiple types of forage and plants found on farms in this contest. 

The Floriculture contest is always one of our largest contests. Special thank you to the Faulkner County Master Gardeners for all the work they put into this contest.

The Horse judging contest is one of two we have outside at the arena in Damascus. Local volunteers provide horses and tack for this event.

The Landscape and Nursery Contest is always held by the Cleburn County Master Gardeners. A special thank you to them for their hard work.

The Forestry Contest is always held at the Gus Blass Boyscout Camp in Damascus. A special thank you to them and to the Arkansas Forestry Commission for volunteering their time for this event.