AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS
Overview
Participants in the Agricultural Communications Career Development Event (CDE) work as a team of communication consultants to develop a written media plan, present the plan to a panel of judges, and, as individuals, apply what they have learned during practicums, a quiz and editing exercise.
This team CDE challenges students to communicate effectively while advocating to consumers about agriculture and telling the FFA story. Students will use a variety of media in their plans—social media, broadcast and print advertising, press releases, fliers, brochures, blogging, displays and more.
Communication, collaboration, creativity and presentation skills are important to event success. Students also learn a variety of technical skills such as journalistic and opinion writing, website design, video production, social media and more.
NDSU - FFA Agricultural Communication CDE
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NDSU Agriculture Communication is pleased to host the annual North Dakota FFA Agricultural Communication Career Development Event. The North Dakota event follows most, but not all, of the national Agricultural Communication CDE guidelines.
2023 Media Plan Scenario
Your State FFA Association has approached your chapter’s agricultural communications committee to select and promote one FFA alum/supporter from your state to various media outlets. Your committee has the option to decide what is included in the promotion of this individual. This promotion might consist of one or more of the following:
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A significant, innovative, or unique contribution of the alum/supporter in giving back to FFA or agricultural education programs within the state, their local community, or state-wide initiatives; – A special project, event, or issue/challenge supported by efforts from the alum/supporter within FFA or agricultural education programs within the state;
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A unique service, action, or mentorship the alum/supporter provides to FFA or agricultural education programs within the state;
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Fundraising or scholarship support efforts initiated by the alum/supporter for FFA or agricultural education programs within the state;
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Other attributes associated with the alum/supporter that supports FFA and agricultural education programs, the local community, or state-wide initiatives.
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Please remember that the plan should also focus on promoting agriculture, agricultural education, and the agricultural industry to consumers in your state.
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Tell a Local FFA Story
The focus could include one of the following subjects:
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FFA member
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FFA chapter
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FFA advisor
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State FFA association
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FFA alumni/supporter (2023)
Advocate the Industry of Agriculture to Consumers
The focus could include one of the following subjects:
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FFA member
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FFA chapter
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FFA advisor
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State FFA association
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FFA alumni/supporter (2023)
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All media proposals must be emailed in PDF format to Kelli Anderson by 11:59 pm on May 31.
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2023 practicums are as follows:
Web Designer (annual)
Hardware and Software: PCs. Create in WordPress. Must have your own WordPress account before the competition. Graphics and dummy text provided. NDSU computer lab has other software available for developing additional graphics for your WordPress pages.
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Required elements:
A main page and a page that it links to
Banner
Background color
External link (linking to another site)
Internal link (linking your two pages together)
Logo
Photo(s) and/or graphic(s) with captions
Email link
Contact information
Web pages will be evaluated on:
Overall attractiveness
Technical skills
Use of design principles
Neatness and creativity
Choice and placement of photos and graphics
Usability and navigation
Video Producer (annual)
Hardware and Software: PCs. Use Premiere Elements software in NDSU computer lab.
Required elements: 60 to 90 seconds with:
Title
At least one video clip
At least one still photo
At least one logo or other graphic
Background music with the audio track
Videos will be evaluated on:
Promotional value
Tells a story
Use of provided materials
Quality of video editing
Audio editing
Creativity
Within time limit
Journalistic Writer
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​Press release (300-350 words) (2023)
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News story
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Feature story (350-500 words)
Hardware and software: PCs. Microsoft Word.
Students will use their notes from the news conference to write a news story, similar to what they might see in AgWeek or Farm and Ranch Guide. Use of internet for sourcing external content is not allowed.
Required elements:
Details about the announcement/event
A quote from the news conference speaker
Contact information
News stories will be evaluated on:
Lead/focus
Accuracy of information and quotes
Clarity and conciseness
Correct style (AP)
Depth of coverage
Header/headline
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice
Organization and format
Accomplishment of purpose
Opinion Writer
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A blog Post (250-300 words)
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An op-ed (500-750 words)
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A letter to the editor (300-500 words) (2023)
Hardware and software: PCs. Microsoft Word.
Students will use what they learn at the news conference, their own knowledge of the subject and their opinions to write an opinion/editorial commentary that might be included on the editorial page of a local newspaper.
Required elements:
An opinion to do or not do something
A quote from the news conference speaker to back up your opinion
Contact information
Op-eds will be evaluated on:
Lead/focus
Accuracy of information and quotes
Clarity and conciseness
Correct style (AP)
Takes a position that is supported with evidence
Header/headline
Grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice
Organization and format
Accomplishment of purpose
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To help North Dakota FFA members prepare for this CDE, students may:
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Review the 2019 first-place and tied-for-second-place feature stories A and B and C.
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Review the 2019 first-place, second-place and third-place letter to the editor.
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Review the 2019 communications quiz.
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Review the 2019 first-place, second-place and third-place web designs.
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Watch the 2019 first-place, second-place and third-place videos.
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Review the 2019 editing exercise.
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Review the 2019 communications quiz.
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Watch a video of the 2019 mock news conference.
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Review the 2018 first-place and second-place media plans. See the National FFA Ag Communications CDE website for required elements.
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Review the 2018 first-place and second-place news stories.
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Review the 2018 first-place and tied-for-second-place op-ed pieces A and B.
For questions about the North Dakota Agricultural Communications career development event, contact Kristin Harner via email or at 701-231-7875.
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