Texas FFA Members Explore Future Careers Through Teach Ag Contest
Sunday, August 2, 2026 | Author: Texas FFA News
The future of agricultural education was on display during the second annual Texas FFA Teach Ag Contest, held in Fort Worth in conjunction with the 98th Annual Texas FFA Convention.
One of Texas FFA's newest contests, the Teach Ag Contest was created to introduce students to careers in agricultural education while developing the skills needed to succeed in the classroom.
The Teach Ag Contest is all about inspiring and preparing students for careers in agricultural education. It focuses on building foundational skills in lesson planning, classroom instruction, and professional communication.
The contest gives members the opportunity to experience many of the responsibilities of an agriculture teacher through a series of practical challenges. Contestants complete an exam, analyze lesson plans, present verbal reasons, identify classroom equipment and teaching tools, and solve agriculture teacher math problems.
Past agriculture teacher, Texas A&M University graduate teaching assistant and Ph.D. student Hailey Browning Lacour helped develop the contest alongside Texas FFA staff.
The goal was to create a contest that not only teaches members about agricultural education but also makes the profession exciting and approachable for high school students.
"You'll notice in the exam portion of the contest, you have your AFNR content, your teaching methods and then you have your general FFA knowledge," Browning said. "It is representative of the actual certification exam you'll take as a certified teacher."
In addition to strengthening lesson planning, classroom instruction, and professional communication, the contest helps students develop confidence, leadership, and technical knowledge while giving them a realistic look at what it takes to become an agricultural educator.
Since its debut, the contest has continued to evolve.
"We've been able to refine the contest over the past two years, and we'll continue to make it even better," Browning said.
This year's state champion was Ira FFA, earning top honors in the growing event.
Although still in its early years, organizers hope the contest will continue to expand its impact across the state.
As Texas continues to face a growing need for qualified agricultural science teachers, the Teach Ag Contest serves as an important step toward cultivating the next generation of educators who will inspire future FFA members in classrooms across the state.
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