VIRGINIA FFA HORTICULTURE

The competition format described here applies specifically to the State FFA Horticulture Career Development Event. It also applies in abbreviated form to any area contest workshops, e.g. with fewer questions and identification specimens or modified practicum exercises as may be included.

A Horticulture Team representing a Virginia FFA chapter consists of six to eight members; three or four are designated on the Floriculture Section Team and the other three or four are designated on the Nursery/Landscape Section Team. If four members are with a section-team, then the high three individual scores are used to determine that section-team score. Individual, section‑team, and overall‑team scores are used to determine placings for recognition and awards in the Virginia FFA Horticulture Career Development Event.

A full Horticulture Team is not required for participation in the state competition. At the option of the local chapter, a team of three or four members may be entered in either the Floriculture Section or the Nursery/Landscape Section. Chapter teams entered in either contest section are eligible for individual and section‑team recognition and awards. They are not eligible for the Virginia Horticulture Team Award. Note that the Horticulture Team Award is the top state award in horticulture, but it is the winning Floriculture and Nursery/Landscape Section Teams that are certified for the respective national competitions. These two winning section teams may or may not be from the same chapter.

The sectional Floriculture and Nursery/Landscape Career Development Events are concurrent. Thus, a contestant may be entered with only one sectional team from the chapter. Contestants participating any year may enter the same or the other sectional contest the following year based on normal FFA eligibility rules, i.e. chapter affiliation and not previously competing in that national competition.

Each sectional team is encouraged to include the fourth team member. Beginning in 2003, this fourth individual is a full team member for both the National FFA Nursery/Landscape C.D.E. and the National FFA Floriculture C.D.E. Team scores for both the Virginia and National events are computed from their high three individual scores, such that four team members not only can support and compete with each other during preparation but there also can be some reduction of stress during the competition and some insurance of having at least the minimum three trained and experienced individuals available to participate in the national competition.

All horticulture teachers attending the state convention should expect to have official duties during both Horticulture C.D.E. morning sessions. These duties will involve leading and monitoring the student groups and coordinating certain events. Only those individuals authorized by the CDE Chairman or Director may handle any contestant papers, and only to the extent authorized. Students not officially registered for the CDE may not enter the competition areas prior to or during the events without authorization from the CDE Chairman or Director. The competition areas will be opened at the close of each morning session for component review by teachers and contestants, and the state contest scoring keys will be posted.

Except in the practicum, contestants are not allowed to touch or handle any of the plant materials. No talking is allowed while each phase is in progress. Any infraction of these rules will be sufficient grounds for contestant disqualification. Contestants should protect their papers from view by other contestants. Any contestant observed to be obtaining unfair assistance will be removed from the CDE.

Contestants must bring to the contest the following individual items:

Minimum of two No. 2 pencils. (Avoid pens and hard lead pencils.)
Clipboard.
Pocket calculator, if desired.

The following are recommended but optional:

Floriculture -- shears/knife for the Floral Design Practicum and Team Event.
Nursery/Landscape - shears/knife, ruler or triangular architect scale, circle template, drawing eraser, and straightedge (triangle) for the Landscape Drawing Practicum and Team Event.

Contestants are identified on all answer sheets by the Contestant Number only (e.g., 9001-1, 10016-4). This number is assigned at contest registration, and it must be legibly recorded on each answer sheet. If missing, a zero score will be recorded.

CONTEST PHASES

The Virginia FFA Horticulture Career Development Event is conducted on two mornings during the state convention. Each morning session requires approximately three hours to complete. The first session is competition in the general knowledge (examination and identification) and team events for the Floriculture or Nursery/Landscape teams. The practicum phase continues the second morning and includes design and verbal customer assistance exercises for each section. Floriculture contestants will also have a job interview practicum, while Nursery/Landscape contestants complete a practicum on pruning/grading/equipment maintenance. All contestants will participate in all of the contest phases.

FLORICULTURE	NURSERY/ LANDSCAPE
Phase One: General Knowledge	Phase One: General Knowledge
Phase Two: Team Event	Phase Two: Team Event
Phase Three: Practicums	Phase Three: Practicums

Identification Lists	Identification Lists
Floral Sales Practicum Order Form	Nursery/ Landscape Sales Practicum Order Form
Floral Design Practicum Itemized Bill Form
Team Event- Corsage Construction Itemized Bill Form
Application For Employment

Contest Scoring

Scoring Outlines: Both Floriculture and Nursery/ Landscape

General Knowledge Sample Answer Sheets

Suggested References