MACON, Ga. – Winners of the Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE) were recognized at the 98th Georgia FFA State Convention held at the Macon Centreplex on April 22-25, 2026. 

In the senior division, Ava Smith of Gilmer County was the high scoring individual, followed by Kinsley Foster of Mary Persons and Isabella Hester of Early County placing second and third respectively. The senior team state winner was Gilmer County, followed by Houston County in second place and Mary Persons in third. 

The junior division high individual was Saylor Clinard of Clear Creek Middle, followed by Sarah Shelnutt of Dawson County in second place and Halle West of Gilmer County in third place. The junior team state winner was Clear Creek Middle, with second place going to North Hall Middle and third place to Gilmer County.

CDE and LDE awards are granted to FFA members and teams who have exhibited premier leadership, personal growth and career success in a variety of competitions. The Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event emphasizes skills in dairy cattle selection and dairy herd management and provides experience in the evaluation of dairy cattle type, production records, and dairy herd management. Participants evaluate dairy animals and place by type, give oral reasons for their placing and take a written examination.  

The Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event was sponsored at the state level by the Georgia FFA Foundation & Georgia Ag Tag Sales.

All individual and team winners received a plaque and a cash award. Individual winners received $100. Second place individuals received $50 and third place individuals received $25. The senior winning team was awarded $2,000 travel money to attend the National FFA Convention. Additionally, the advisor of the state winning team received a $100 cash award. 

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, changed its name in 1988 to reflect the growth and diversity of agriculture. There are over 1 Million FFA members nationwide. The Georgia Association has more than 80,000 members, making it the third largest Association in the nation. The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, through agricultural education. 

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