Agricultural Issues ForumFFA prep guide for 2026-27

About this event

Before the event the team holds local forums and uploads a portfolio by Sept. 1 (25 points): a 2-page summary, an APA bibliography and forum records, up to 10 single-sided pages plus a cover. A signed Statement of Authenticity is uploaded too but not scored. At the event the team has 5 minutes to set up. It then has up to 15 minutes to state the issue as a question and give the pro side, the con side and a neutral summary. Those four parts and overall effectiveness are worth 20 points each. Judges then ask questions for 7 minutes in preliminary and semifinal rounds and 8 minutes in the final (25 points). Take-down is 3 minutes. Presenting a conclusion costs 5 points. Teams have 3 to 7 members. Every member must present and be available for the judges' questions in all rounds to be eligible for awards. There are no individual scores. Each judge's scorecard totals 150 points, and teams are placed by adding judges' ranks, lowest total wins. FFA's grades 7 to 12 rule applies, and the handbook sets no other grade limit. The handbook does not require official dress, though some states do, and props, costumes and skits are allowed. Technology may support the talk but not replace it, and handouts are discouraged. A team cannot reuse its topic from the year before. Rounds run from preliminaries to a final four. State winners go on to the national event at the 100th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct 27 to 30, 2027, in Indianapolis.

1. 1

   Read the handbook and the sheet

   Everything is scored on the scorecard below. The official handbook has the rules, the deadlines and what to submit.

   Official handbook (opens in a new tab)
2. 2

   Outline it against the sheet

   Give each part of your entry the room its points earn, starting from the biggest rows, so nothing on the sheet is left out.

   See the sheet
3. 3

   Write it yourself

   Your entry should be your own work. ChapterPrep's judge scores it and asks questions; it never writes it for you.

4. 4

   Rehearse the presentation

   Type or say your presentation. The judge scores it on the official scorecard and times you against the 15-minute limit.

   Get judged on your presentation
5. 5

   Rehearse to the clock

   You have 15 minutes, then 7 minutes of questions. Time every run, out loud, start to finish.

Official reference sources

Listed in the official FFA handbook.

• American Psychological Association (APA) publication manual, most current edition (paid book)
• Agricultural Issues Forum Presenter's Guide, no source or date given
• Educator Resources on FFA.org, Agricultural Issues section

Curated by ChapterPrep. Free unless noted. External links open in a new tab.

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