AGRISCIENCE FAIR

• Applicants must be active FFA members in grades 7–12 and in good standing.

• Each member/team may submit only one project per year. Teams must consist of two members from the same chapter.

• Projects must use the scientific method and be experimental in nature (analytical-only projects are ineligible).

• Projects must be based on data collected within the previous 12 months. Extension projects must add a new variable or line of research. Identical projects may not be resubmitted.

• Projects must fit one of six approved categories (Animal, Plant, Environmental, Food, Power/Technical, Social Science).

• Categories (pathways):

  • Animal Systems

  • Environmental Services/ Natural Resource Systems

  • Food Products & Processing Systems

  • Plant Systems

  • Power, Structural & Technical Systems

  • Social Science

• Divisions (grade levels):

  • Division 1: Individual, grades 7–8

  • Division 2: Team of two, grades 7–8

  • Division 3: Individual, grades 9–10

  • Division 4: Team of two, grades 9–10

  • Division 5: Individual, grades 11–12

  • Division 6: Team of two, grades 11–12

• March 6– Application and written report due in AET.

• Early March – Volunteers review and score applications. Applicants complete a virtual interview.

• During State Leadership Convention – Students present posters/displays and are interviewed. State winners are recognized on stage.

• Chapter: Chapters are encouraged to recognize Agriscience projects at their local banquets. Chapters may also support participation in their school’s science fair or consider hosting a chapter-level science fair to encourage more students to engage in research and prepare for higher-level competition.

• State: Division/category winners are recognized on stage at the Idaho FFA State Leadership Convention.

• National: State winners advance to the national prequalifying; national finalists and bronze rankings are awarded, and top finalists are honored at the National FFA Convention & Expo. National finalists are ranked on stage during sessions, final placings are gold or silver ranking, in additional to the national winner.

• Applications must be completed in AET. Research reports may be completed in any word-processing program (Microsoft Word, Google Docs, etc.) and uploaded to the AET application.

• Students generate a final PDF from the student side of AET.

• Advisors must review applications for accuracy, confirm proper category selection, and submit through their AET advisor access (Submission List under Reports).

• Templates, rubrics, and resources are available on the National FFA Agriscience Fair webpage and in the Idaho FFA Resources Folder.

All State Awards submitted through AET (National Chapter, Agriscience, Proficiency Awards, and State Star Awards) must meet allowable replicated text thresholds. Applications that exceed these limits will be automatically disqualified and ineligible for awards. All rulings from the Idaho FFA State Advisor or their appointed representatives are final and not subject to appeal.

Allowable Limit for Agriscience Fair Applications – 20% or less replicated text is acceptable. Anything over 40% results in automatic disqualification.

• This higher allowable limit applies only to the Agriscience Fair because research reports should reference other sources of information from other authors. However, proper citations are required to justify higher replication.

Rubrics are available in the Idaho FFA resources folder.

• Written Report: 50% of total score.

• Interview/Poster Presentation: 50% of total score (appearance, communication, scientific knowledge, ability to defend project).

Can I resubmit the same project in multiple years?
No. Projects must show new or expanded research each year. Identical projects are not permitted.

Can my project be team-based?
Yes. Teams of two are allowed, but both members must be from the same chapter.

Can I compete in Agriscience Fair and other awards (Proficiency, Star, CDE/LDE)?
Yes. Students may enter multiple award areas, but scheduling conflicts must be communicated with state staff and event superintendents.

What happens if my project is entered in the wrong category?
The “Skill Development” rubric section will receive zero points if the project does not align with the selected category.

What happens if my application exceeds the replicated text threshold?
Applications over 20% may be disqualified; over 40% are automatically ineligible.