Speaking Development Events (SDE) are held in the spring semester each year and are designed to promote FFA members' ability to research, develop, write and vocally deliver a speech over a topic of importance to agriculture.

FFA members must select a topic, present a timed speech and answer questions about their speech in front of a panel of judges.

The time limits are specific to each SDE. A uniform rubric is used to evaluate the many aspects of the speech delivery and question responses. 

SDEs are held at the district, area, state and in some cases, national levels and are extremely competitive. Some events have two divisions for competition; Junior (Greenhand) and Senior. The Junior speakers cannot be past their freshman year in high school.

The first and second place winners at the Area level for Extemporaneous Speaking, Jr. Prepared Speaking and Soil Stewardship will advance to the State level competition which is held at the Texas FFA Convention in July.

The first place winner at the Area level in each of the Sr. Division contests will advance to the State level competition held at the Texas FFA Convention in July. Second place winners at the Area level in the Sr. Division contest DO NOT advance to state level competition.

The SDE categories are:

Junior Prepared Public Speaking (can speak on any topic or subject related to agriculture)

Senior Prepared Public Speaking (state winner advances to National FFA level)

  Divisions: Ag Business, Ag Communications and Technology, Ag Policy, Animal Science, Natural Resources, and Plant Science

  Extemporaneous Public Speaking (state winner advances to National FFA level)

Soil Stewardship Prepared Public Speaking