Mastering CDE Practices: A Step-by-Step Guide for Agriculture Teachers

Coaching Career Development Events (CDEs) is a cornerstone of every FFA chapter. I distinctly remember my first time taking a load of kids on a 2+ hour drive to a dairy evaluation competition where we placed second to last and yet it was magical. 

I can remember the triumphs and the defeats and know with my whole heart that regardless of the final placing it was a beneficial experience for my students. 

These events are where students take what they’ve learned in the classroom, apply it to real-world scenarios, and compete with peers across the nation. With 26 nationally recognized CDEs (and even more at the state level), it’s no wonder teachers feel the pressure to deliver high-quality coaching experiences. 

But let’s be real: no one can be an expert in everything.  

But what we know here at G&G is that you want to provide opportunities to a wide variety of students with varying interests even if you truly cannot tell a lame horse from a world champion. 

And while we can’t give you all the content to make you masters at all the CDEs. We can help you create a repeatable process for all of your CDE practices regardless of content area.  

(Note: You can grab a Germinate Hall of Fame session from experts in Ag Sales, Horse Judging, Parli Pro and Poultry Judging over on the resources page) 

That’s where our CDE Coaching Guide comes in. This guide is designed to simplify practice planning and help teachers focus on what really matters—supporting students—this guide offers a repeatable structure for every type of CDE. Whether you’re an experienced teacher looking for a refresh or a newbie wondering where to start, this resource is here to help.

In the past 7 years of serving agriculture teachers we’ve heard it all from teachers:  

How do I even begin coaching a contest I’ve never competed in?  

How do I get students to take ownership of their learning? 

How do I juggle multiple teams practicing at the same time?

Spring is often peak CDE season (which is RIGHT around the corner), and with schedules packed tighter than a freshly baled haystack, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why we’re all about working smarter, not harder. The CDE Coaching Guide gives you a solid foundation to run consistent, effective practices without reinventing the wheel every time.

What’s Inside the Guide?

Our guide is packed with practical tips, structured practice outlines, and bonus resources to streamline your coaching. Here’s a sneak peek:

Practice Outline

A repeatable structure for 90-minute practices (with suggestions for shorter sessions):  

1. Teaching Time (15-20 minutes): Introduce or review key contest materials.  

2. Individual/Partner Study (15 minutes): Let students dive into one specific area—like specimen ID or test prep—to keep their learning focused.  

3. Quick Review Game (10 minutes): Reinforce learning with fun, competitive activities like trash can basketball.  

4. More Teaching Time (15-20 minutes): Move on to the next topic or contest section.  

5. Wrap-Up (5 minutes): Assign quizzes or study tasks to prep for the next practice.  

 We even added some bonus resources to the guide…

- An attendance sheet to track student performance.  

- A practice outline slide with a timer, so everyone stays on track.  

This format is flexible and can be adapted for contests with multiple components, like Floriculture or Livestock Judging. 

The key? Focus on one or two areas per practice to avoid overwhelming your students (or yourself).

Now, I know you can grab that CDE Coaching Guide and start using it to format your practices to be fun, easy to plan for and effective. But we aren’t going to leave you with that. With 54 years of combined experience we compiled out G&G Team Pro Tips for CDE Success.

👥Tap into your network: Find someone with experience in your contest area and ask for advice.  

🔀Alternate strategies: Always have backup team members ready to step in.  

📊Analyze data: Use practice test results to focus on weak areas instead of re-teaching what students already know.  

🧑‍🏫Learn together: If you’re unfamiliar with a contest, make it a competition between you and the students—it’s a great way to model growth mindset.

We know every teacher’s situation is different, so we’ve addressed some common questions that you might be asking yourself as you read this…

How do I structure practices when student schedules don’t align?

Use our flexible format and encourage independent work outside of practice. Utilize your learning management systems to assign practice work throughout the week so students can practice when they have time.

How do I get students to show up prepared?

Assign pre-work, like quizzes or readings, so practice time is focused on coaching, not catch-up.  

So are you ready to elevate your CDE practices?  

Coaching CDE teams doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the CDE Coaching Guide in your toolkit, you can streamline practices, focus on what truly matters, and help your students excel. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this guide is designed to take the stress out of planning and bring consistency to your coaching.

Looking for even more support? Join us at our Marigold Meetups, where ag teachers from across the country connect, collaborate, and grow together. These free monthly events are the perfect space to share ideas, ask questions, and gain inspiration.

If you feel like your CDE practices are rocking and rolling and you need more help in the other areas of the three circle model (SAE and Classroom Instruction) don’t forget to explore the other free and paid resources on our website!