KINGSVILLE (Oct. 16, 2025) — The Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) Collegiate Future Farmers of America (FFA) hosted more than 340 high school FFA students and teachers from 29 region schools for the Hoggie Leadership Development Events (LDE) Invitational.
The 345 students and teachers in attendance showed a sharp spike in attendance from last year’s LDE, which saw just over 160 students and teachers on-hand.
“This contest almost doubled since last year,” said Dr. Steven Chumbley, professor of Agriculture Education and Mechanics. “It’s a testament to the quality contest our program puts on. In addition; we had 60 student volunteers serving as judges and facilitators. Our TAMUK students put in this time; despite it being Fall break. I am more than impressed with our students’ teamwork, problem solving, and dedication.”
The events were held at the Memorial Student Union Building, the Human Sciences Building and the Agriculture Mechanics Lab and focused on creating situations for students to demonstrate their abilities in public speaking, decision making, communication and their knowledge of agriculture and the FFA organization, as well as reinforce what is taught in agriculture science classrooms.
The contests included Parliamentary Procedure, Radio Broadcasting, English and Spanish Creed Speaking, Ag Advocacy, Public Relations, Ag Skills Demonstration, testing skills such as speaking, demonstrating procedures, informing, advocating and more.
High Schools in Attendance included:
Agua Dulce
Robstown
Alice
Roma
Banquete
Santa Gertrudis
Benavides
Burbank
Comstock
Cotulla
Edinburg Vela
Riveria-Kaufer
Stock dale
Gregory-Portland
La Vernia
Lytle
Mathis
Corpus Christi Carroll
Orange Grove
Sinton
Skidmore Tynan
Taft
Three Rivers
Uvalde
Victoria East
Victoria West
Woodsboro
Yorktown
Tuloso-Midway
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