Career Development Events build on what is learned in agricultural classes and encourage members to put their knowledge into practice. These events are designed to help a member prepare for a career in agriculture by testing and challenging the student's technical, leadership, interpersonal and teamwork skills as well as their knowledge of the subject matter.

Many CDEs are qualifying events for the National FFA CDE competition and/or offer scholarship opportunities.  Students travel throughout Texas competing in CDE's that are conducted at major livestock shows (San Antonio, Houston, Austin, etc.) and universities (Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Tarleton State, Texas State, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, West Texas A&M, Clarendon, etc.).  

The following Career Development Events are offered through James Madison FFA:

Ag Communications
Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems
Agronomy
Entomology
Environmental & Natural Resources
Farm and Agribusiness Management
Floriculture
Food Science
Forage
Home Site Evaluation
Land
Livestock
Marketing Plan
Meats
Nursery/Landscape
Poultry
Range Plant ID
Tractor Technician
Veterinary Science
​Wool