Frequently Asked Questions New Members
Who can join Wylie High FFA?
Wylie High School students, 9th-12th grade, who are following the Ag career path may join the Wylie High FFA chapter. Students in grades 3rd-8th, who attend a Wylie High School feeder school can join the Wylie High FFA chapter as a junior member.
How can junior FFA members participate?
Junior members are able to attend monthly meetings, participate in fundraisers, community service events, and raise/show animals. Junior members are not able to participate in CDE, LDE, or SDE competitions or run for chapter officer.
What is the cost to join?
The dues for students to join Wylie FFA are $xx per year. The cost of dues includes a club tee shirt. Parents are encouraged to join the Wylie High FFA Supporter Club for $15 per person or $25 per family.
What is the FFA official dress?
High school FFA members will be expected to have official dress for District/Area meetings and contests. The official dress consists of:
Girls – Solid white, button front, collared shirt (sleeve length does not matter), black, knee length, pencil skirt (with no visible zippers, ruffles or pockets), black hose/stockings, solid black, closed toed shoes (flats or heels), FFA jacket and tie.
Boys – Solid white, button front, collared shirt (sleeve length does not matter), black slacks, black belt, solid black dress shoes, FFA jacket and tie.
The FFA jacket and tie will cost $85 and will be ordered during the first month of school. Jackets typically can be worn for multiple years.
What kinds of animals can be raised through FFA?
In Wylie High FFA you can show cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and rabbits. Probably should add statement about breeding animals and the expectations this year.
How do I purchase an animal?
Talk to the Ag teacher that is over the species you would like to raise. Show animals must be purchased from a respectable breeder. Teachers will work with you to help you locate an animal for your child. If you know a breeder and want to purchase your own animal, discuss this with the Ag teachers so they can explain the requirements.
When will we get an animal?
Cattle – purchased from January to May
Lambs and goats – purchased June to September
Pigs – purchased October to November
Chickens – purchased six to eight weeks prior to show
Rabbits – purchased six to eight weeks prior to show
What is the cost to purchase an animal?
The cost will vary depending on the animal species selected.
Lambs and goats – $500 and up
Pigs - $500 and up
Cattle – $2,000 and up
Chickens - $TBD for 25 birds
Rabbits - $40 per rabbit (a pen of rabbits consists of 3-5 rabbits)
In addition to the initial animal purchase, supplies will need to be purchased and will vary depending on the animal selected. The Ag teachers will be able to tell you exactly what you need for your animal. Examples include feed trough, feed, supplements, water bucket, halters, brushes, bedding. Most supplies can be used multiple years. The feed cost will vary depending on the animal.
How much time is involved?
Animals must be fed twice a day, every day of the week, for the duration of the project (this includes holidays, birthdays, & weekends). Morning feedings typically take 20-30 minutes. Evening feedings typically take 1-2 hours and includes exercising and working with the animal and cleaning their pen.
In addition to time in the barn, students are expected to participate in monthly chapter meetings, community service projects, fundraisers, competitions, and other club activities.
What is a tag order?
A tag is the ear tag assigned to your animal. One tag must be purchased for each animal you intend to show. The cost is typically $xx per animal. The tag will be assigned at validation.
What is Validation? How does it work?
Validation ensures that everyone shows the animals they raise. The Ag teachers will communicate when it is time for validation, which will vary by species. Paperwork will be provided at the time of validation and will require signatures from students and parents. On the assigned day, the animals will be transported by the Ag teachers to the location of the validation in Collin County. Animals will be tagged and the tag number recorded with your child’s name.
What shows will we attend?
Wylie High FFA attends the following major and local shows:
Jackpot shows are available throughout the year. Information about jackpot shows can be found on various Texas livestock Facebook groups.
What is the difference between a major show and a jackpot show?
How do we get to shows?
What do I wear to a livestock show?
Your appearance in the show ring is vital to your success. All exhibiters should wear a collared, button front shirt, boot-cut jeans, a belt and leather shoes in the ring.
Why are fundraisers necessary?
Money raised through fundraisers goes directly to the FFA students and animals through the purchase of supplies needed at the barn, trips to competitions, and supplies for meetings. Wylie High FFA Chapter is allowed to hold two fundraisers. The Supporter Club can hold additional fundraisers if there is a need.
What is a clinic?
Clinics are held monthly for each species at the Wylie Ag Barn. It is an opportunity for students to learn more about their animal and how to show it properly. Students receive instruction from Ag teachers and experienced students.
What type of community service is performed?
Our chapter participates in multiple community service projects each school year. In the past we have provided food to the Wylie fire stations, taken cookies to the Wylie Police Department, adopted an angel for Christmas, repainted the Welcome to Wylie FFA signs.
How many meetings are held?
Each month the students hold a chapter meeting and the parents hold a supporter club meeting to discuss upcoming events. The meetings are held on the same night with the students meeting at 6pm and parents at 7pm.
The school district also holds a monthly meeting in connection with the Wylie East FFA chapter.
What is the point system?
The point system is your payment into the Wylie Show and Sale – there is no cash entry fee. Points will be earned for attending chapter meetings, participating in fundraising, service projects, barn clean up, etc. Each student will need to earn the required number of points to be eligible to participate in the Wylie Show and Sale.
How often is the barn cleaned?
A clean barn is a healthy barn. There will be a weekly cleaning schedule and each student will be expected to complete the chore assigned to them each week. The chores will rotate weekly. This year there will be one mandatory barn cleaning day before the Wylie Show and Sale in March.
What happens if my animal gets sick?
Most illnesses will be able to be treated by the Ag teachers. The club charges a $50/animal medication fee at the beginning of each year to purchase medicines to be used in the barn. If your animal is too sick for the Ag teachers to treat, you will be responsible for taking your animal to a local veterinarian.
Is showing animals the only way my child can participate in FFA?
The answer is no! Students can participate in competitions called CDE’s, LDE’s and SDE’s. CED’s and LDE’s are contests that members compete in to test their skills learned through agriculture education instructions. SDE’s are developed to have a student be able to express their knowledge over a given agricultural subject.
What is a CDE competition?
CDE stands for Career Development Event. Contests take place in the spring semester and include Livestock Judging, Dairy Judging, Vet Tech, Entomology, Farm Business Management, and more.
What is a LDE competition?
LDE stands for Leadership Development Event. LDE competitions take place in the fall semester and include Chapter Conducting, Quiz, Radio Broadcasting, Job Interview, Creed Speaking, and more.
What is a SDE competition?
SDE stands for Speaking Development Event. An SDE is an individual competition where students are asked to give a speech about an agricultural subject to a panel of judges.
What is the Wylie Show and Sale?
The Wylie Show and Sale is the last show of the year. It is held in the Wylie Ag Barn and is managed by the Wylie Show and Sale Committee. This show is only for Wylie High FFA, Wylie East FFA and Wylie 4-H members in good standing. The competition is typically at the end of March and starts on Wednesday evening with the Shop, Horticulture and Food competitions. Thursday evening is the chicken, rabbit, lamb and goat shows. Friday evening pigs and cattle show. Saturday is the live auction. Students are allowed to show one animal per species and can only have one animal go through the sale on Saturday. Local buyers are invited to attend the sale on Saturday to support the kids, but kids are encouraged to find their own buyer. At the conclusion of the Wylie Show and Sale all animal projects are sold, the barn is cleaned and prepped for the next show season.
Wylie High School students, 9th-12th grade, who are following the Ag career path may join the Wylie High FFA chapter. Students in grades 3rd-8th, who attend a Wylie High School feeder school can join the Wylie High FFA chapter as a junior member.
How can junior FFA members participate?
Junior members are able to attend monthly meetings, participate in fundraisers, community service events, and raise/show animals. Junior members are not able to participate in CDE, LDE, or SDE competitions or run for chapter officer.
What is the cost to join?
The dues for students to join Wylie FFA are $xx per year. The cost of dues includes a club tee shirt. Parents are encouraged to join the Wylie High FFA Supporter Club for $15 per person or $25 per family.
What is the FFA official dress?
High school FFA members will be expected to have official dress for District/Area meetings and contests. The official dress consists of:
Girls – Solid white, button front, collared shirt (sleeve length does not matter), black, knee length, pencil skirt (with no visible zippers, ruffles or pockets), black hose/stockings, solid black, closed toed shoes (flats or heels), FFA jacket and tie.
Boys – Solid white, button front, collared shirt (sleeve length does not matter), black slacks, black belt, solid black dress shoes, FFA jacket and tie.
The FFA jacket and tie will cost $85 and will be ordered during the first month of school. Jackets typically can be worn for multiple years.
What kinds of animals can be raised through FFA?
In Wylie High FFA you can show cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and rabbits. Probably should add statement about breeding animals and the expectations this year.
How do I purchase an animal?
Talk to the Ag teacher that is over the species you would like to raise. Show animals must be purchased from a respectable breeder. Teachers will work with you to help you locate an animal for your child. If you know a breeder and want to purchase your own animal, discuss this with the Ag teachers so they can explain the requirements.
When will we get an animal?
Cattle – purchased from January to May
Lambs and goats – purchased June to September
Pigs – purchased October to November
Chickens – purchased six to eight weeks prior to show
Rabbits – purchased six to eight weeks prior to show
What is the cost to purchase an animal?
The cost will vary depending on the animal species selected.
Lambs and goats – $500 and up
Pigs - $500 and up
Cattle – $2,000 and up
Chickens - $TBD for 25 birds
Rabbits - $40 per rabbit (a pen of rabbits consists of 3-5 rabbits)
In addition to the initial animal purchase, supplies will need to be purchased and will vary depending on the animal selected. The Ag teachers will be able to tell you exactly what you need for your animal. Examples include feed trough, feed, supplements, water bucket, halters, brushes, bedding. Most supplies can be used multiple years. The feed cost will vary depending on the animal.
How much time is involved?
Animals must be fed twice a day, every day of the week, for the duration of the project (this includes holidays, birthdays, & weekends). Morning feedings typically take 20-30 minutes. Evening feedings typically take 1-2 hours and includes exercising and working with the animal and cleaning their pen.
In addition to time in the barn, students are expected to participate in monthly chapter meetings, community service projects, fundraisers, competitions, and other club activities.
What is a tag order?
A tag is the ear tag assigned to your animal. One tag must be purchased for each animal you intend to show. The cost is typically $xx per animal. The tag will be assigned at validation.
What is Validation? How does it work?
Validation ensures that everyone shows the animals they raise. The Ag teachers will communicate when it is time for validation, which will vary by species. Paperwork will be provided at the time of validation and will require signatures from students and parents. On the assigned day, the animals will be transported by the Ag teachers to the location of the validation in Collin County. Animals will be tagged and the tag number recorded with your child’s name.
What shows will we attend?
Wylie High FFA attends the following major and local shows:
- Major: State Fair of Texas, Fort Worth Livestock Show, San Antonio Livestock Show, Houston Livestock Show
- Local: Collin County Junior Livestock Show, Wylie Show and Sale
Jackpot shows are available throughout the year. Information about jackpot shows can be found on various Texas livestock Facebook groups.
What is the difference between a major show and a jackpot show?
- A major show has all species showing and last for multiple days/weeks. These are terminal shows for most species, meaning that would be the final destination for your animal.
- A jackpot show may have multiple species showing but typically will be for one or two species only – example: lambs and goats or only pigs. Jackpot shows are typically put on by local FFA chapters as a fundraiser and last one day (sometimes two days). Jackpots are a good way to get your animal in front of a judge and learn what you need to do before going to a major. Jackpot shows are non-terminal, meaning you will keep your animal after the show concludes.
How do we get to shows?
- For major shows, the Ag teachers will provide transportation for large animals. Parents are responsible for transporting their student to the show. Students can expect to be at a major show for 2-4 days depending on the show. Parents are expected to remain with their student and provide lodging for the duration of the show.
- For jackpot shows, students will need the permission of the Ag teachers to attend. Parents will be responsible for transporting the animal and student. The Wylie FFA Supporter Club has a trailer that can be borrowed, with permission, to transport to jackpot shows.
- Chickens and rabbits typically will be transported by the student to shows and generally do not attend jackpot shows.
What do I wear to a livestock show?
Your appearance in the show ring is vital to your success. All exhibiters should wear a collared, button front shirt, boot-cut jeans, a belt and leather shoes in the ring.
Why are fundraisers necessary?
Money raised through fundraisers goes directly to the FFA students and animals through the purchase of supplies needed at the barn, trips to competitions, and supplies for meetings. Wylie High FFA Chapter is allowed to hold two fundraisers. The Supporter Club can hold additional fundraisers if there is a need.
What is a clinic?
Clinics are held monthly for each species at the Wylie Ag Barn. It is an opportunity for students to learn more about their animal and how to show it properly. Students receive instruction from Ag teachers and experienced students.
What type of community service is performed?
Our chapter participates in multiple community service projects each school year. In the past we have provided food to the Wylie fire stations, taken cookies to the Wylie Police Department, adopted an angel for Christmas, repainted the Welcome to Wylie FFA signs.
How many meetings are held?
Each month the students hold a chapter meeting and the parents hold a supporter club meeting to discuss upcoming events. The meetings are held on the same night with the students meeting at 6pm and parents at 7pm.
The school district also holds a monthly meeting in connection with the Wylie East FFA chapter.
What is the point system?
The point system is your payment into the Wylie Show and Sale – there is no cash entry fee. Points will be earned for attending chapter meetings, participating in fundraising, service projects, barn clean up, etc. Each student will need to earn the required number of points to be eligible to participate in the Wylie Show and Sale.
How often is the barn cleaned?
A clean barn is a healthy barn. There will be a weekly cleaning schedule and each student will be expected to complete the chore assigned to them each week. The chores will rotate weekly. This year there will be one mandatory barn cleaning day before the Wylie Show and Sale in March.
What happens if my animal gets sick?
Most illnesses will be able to be treated by the Ag teachers. The club charges a $50/animal medication fee at the beginning of each year to purchase medicines to be used in the barn. If your animal is too sick for the Ag teachers to treat, you will be responsible for taking your animal to a local veterinarian.
Is showing animals the only way my child can participate in FFA?
The answer is no! Students can participate in competitions called CDE’s, LDE’s and SDE’s. CED’s and LDE’s are contests that members compete in to test their skills learned through agriculture education instructions. SDE’s are developed to have a student be able to express their knowledge over a given agricultural subject.
What is a CDE competition?
CDE stands for Career Development Event. Contests take place in the spring semester and include Livestock Judging, Dairy Judging, Vet Tech, Entomology, Farm Business Management, and more.
What is a LDE competition?
LDE stands for Leadership Development Event. LDE competitions take place in the fall semester and include Chapter Conducting, Quiz, Radio Broadcasting, Job Interview, Creed Speaking, and more.
What is a SDE competition?
SDE stands for Speaking Development Event. An SDE is an individual competition where students are asked to give a speech about an agricultural subject to a panel of judges.
What is the Wylie Show and Sale?
The Wylie Show and Sale is the last show of the year. It is held in the Wylie Ag Barn and is managed by the Wylie Show and Sale Committee. This show is only for Wylie High FFA, Wylie East FFA and Wylie 4-H members in good standing. The competition is typically at the end of March and starts on Wednesday evening with the Shop, Horticulture and Food competitions. Thursday evening is the chicken, rabbit, lamb and goat shows. Friday evening pigs and cattle show. Saturday is the live auction. Students are allowed to show one animal per species and can only have one animal go through the sale on Saturday. Local buyers are invited to attend the sale on Saturday to support the kids, but kids are encouraged to find their own buyer. At the conclusion of the Wylie Show and Sale all animal projects are sold, the barn is cleaned and prepped for the next show season.
