Creed SpeakingFFA prep guide for 2026-27

About this event

The speaker recites the full FFA Creed from memory in no more than 4 minutes, opening with the title and author line and closing with a thank you. Judges score oral communication (pace, tone and volume, 30 points) and non-verbal communication (eye contact, gestures and poise, 30 points). Then come three critical thinking questions tied to the Creed, 5 minutes in all, worth 40 points. The rubric totals 100. Timekeepers take 1 point per second over 4 minutes, and accuracy judges take 2 points for each missed, added or switched word. Judges rank the speakers, and the lowest rank total wins. This is an individual event, one speaker per state, for members in grade 7, 8 or 9. FFA Official Dress is highly recommended. The Creed must match the current year's Official FFA Manual. No props are allowed, and holding any electronic device can mean disqualification. Speakers wait in isolation until they speak. Nationals run in three rounds: preliminary sections of five to eight speakers, two semifinal sections of eight, and a final of four, with new questions in later rounds. State winners go on to the national event at the 100th National FFA Convention and Expo, Oct 27 to 30, 2027, in Indianapolis. Speakers must compete at the next convention after they qualify.

1. 1

   Read the handbook and the sheet

   Everything is scored on the scorecard below. The official handbook has the rules and how the event runs on the day.

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

   Learn the FFA Creed word for word

   You recite it from memory. It must match the current Official FFA Manual: accuracy judges take 2 points for every missed, added or switched word. Say it out loud every day and check each line against the official text.

3. 3

   Learn what judges score

   Know every row of the sheet before the day, biggest rows first: it is what judges look for.

   See the sheet
4. 4

   Rehearse the speech

   Type or say your speech. The judge scores it on the official scorecard and times you against the 4-minute limit.

   Get judged on your speech
5. 5

   Rehearse to the clock

   You have 4 minutes, then 5 minutes of questions. At the contest, timekeepers take 1 point for every second past 4 minutes. Time every run, out loud, start to finish.

Official reference sources

Listed in the official FFA handbook.

• Current year's Official FFA Manual, FFA product, price not stated
• Past finals hall footage, FFA.org, login required

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

Related Leadership events