About this event
Each member takes the General Knowledge Examination: 60 multiple-choice questions, 4 points each (240 points), split equally over four ICCA areas. Its length is not printed. Three practicums follow, with no times printed: Identification of 50 weed and crop plants or seeds (200 points), Soils with 25 Web Soil Survey and soil fertility questions (200 points), and Pest Management (200 points), which is 10 disorder samples and 10 insect samples. The team activity runs 90 minutes on one field and crop from the year's region, West in 2027 (alfalfa hay, potatoes, tomato, wheat). The team has 60 minutes for a 50-question written packet (250 points). It then gives a 5 to 8 minute oral summary and talks for 10 to 12 minutes with 3 to 4 judges, one playing the grower (100 points). Teams have four members, and all four scores count: 840 points each, 3,710 for the team including the 350-point team activity. FFA's grades 7 to 12 rule applies, and the handbook sets no other grade limit. FFA Official Dress is highly recommended. Students bring a clean clipboard, two No. 2 pencils and a basic five-function calculator. All other materials are handed out and stay at the site. Damaging an ID sample can eliminate the team. State winners go on to the national event at the 100th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct 27 to 30, 2027, in Indianapolis.
FormatTest + Skills
DurationWritten exam not stated, ID, soils and pest practicums not stated, team activity 90 min (60 min packet, 5 to 8 min oral summary, 10 to 12 min with judges)
Solo or teamTeam of 4
CategoryPlant Systems
Your plan
How to study
Built from the official handbook. Take the check and read every lesson here with no account; a free account keeps your progress and opens flashcards, practice and full exams.
Find your weakest area
Take the 8-question check below: one question from each of the 8 biggest areas. It tells you where to start.
Start the checkLearn every area
Every area of the official handbook is below. Each has a short lesson, flashcards and practice, plus free reading.
See the areasPractice until every bar is full
Practice gives you one question at a time and leans toward the areas you miss. Your readiness meter fills as you get them right in every area.
PracticeTake a full-length exam
60 questions, the official length. Your readiness meter counts your last 3 full exams from the past 30 days, and 90% fills each one.
Take a practice examRehearse the role play
Draw a practice card, prep on the official 60-minute clock, then present for 8 minutes. The judge scores it on the official scorecard and says what to fix.
Practice the role play
The areas of the exam
Pest Management
Nutrient Management
Crop Management
Soil and Water Quality
Weed and crop identification (plants and seeds)
Web Soil Survey
Soil fertility
Soil orders
Agronomic disorders
Insect identification
Start here
Find your weakest area
8 questions, one from each of the 8 biggest areas of the Agronomy exam. Each one is graded the moment you answer, with the reason, and the last screen tells you which area to study first. No account needed.
Judging
What judges score
Oral summary
- Problem Identification10
- Use of Evidence10
- Recommendation Quality & Feasibility10
- Stewardship, Safety & Compliance10
- Active Listening10
- Handling Questions10
- Role Clarity & Contributions10
- Team Support & Professionalism10
- Structure & Time Management10
- Producer-Appropriate Presence10
Exam day
What to expect
60-question written exam
Official format: Written exam not stated, ID, soils and pest practicums not stated, team activity 90 min (60 min packet, 5 to 8 min oral summary, 10 to 12 min with judges).
Written from the handbook
The exam covers the areas the event's handbook lists, from the references it names. Practice questions here are drawn from the same areas.
How you advance
How many advance from districts to states and on to the National FFA Convention & Expo (National Convention) depends on your association's rules. Study the official handbook: it lists every part of the event and how each is scored.
Exam format
- Questions60 questions
- TeamTeam of 4
Competition levels: District Career Development Events, then State Career Development Events, then National FFA Convention & Expo
Official reference books
Listed in the official FFA handbook. Your school or public library may have them.
- ICCA International Performance Objectives, American Society of Agronomy, free PDF on the ICCA website
- Seed and plant flashcards, Wards Natural Science Establishment (paid product)
- Weeds of the Northeast, Comstock Books, Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal, Joseph M. Ditomaso (paid book)
- Weeds of the Great Plains, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, James L. Stubbendieck (paid book)
- Weeds of the West, University of Wyoming Extension, Tom D. Whitson, editor (paid book)
- Common Weed Seedlings of the North Central States, Michigan State University Extension
- Sunset Western Garden Book (paid book)
- Weeds of California and Other Western States, University of California (paid book)
- Interactive Encyclopedia of Weeds of North America, North Central Weed Science Society
- Illustrated Taxonomy Manual of Weed Seeds, North Central Weed Science Society (paid book)
- Weed Seeds of the Great Plains, University Press of Kansas (paid book)
Guidelines and resources
Bookmark to saveCurated by ChapterPrep. Free unless noted. External links open in a new tab.