State Contest Information
All interested teams need to register for the Wisconsin FFA State Nursery & Landscape CDE.
DATE: ???, 2027
TIME - 8:30 a.m Start
LOCATION:CHANGE*** Bruce Company Nursery, 1472 State Road 69, Verona, WI 53593
SUPERINTENDENTS - Jake Schneider & Reid Maier
jschneider@wgcsa.com
RMaier@brucecompany.com
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Overview
The Nursery⁄Landscape CDE tests students skills in horticultural principles, from landscape design to nursery propagation. Participants in the Nursery/Landscape Career Development Event (CDE) tests students skills in maintaining landscape plants and related products, evaluating equipment and services and performing landscape design.
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Rubrics
Equipment Rubrics
Practice all 6 in preparation for the State CDE which will include 3 of the 6 listed below
1) ZTR MOWER
2) CHAINSAW
3) SKID STEER
4) BLOWER
5) Line trimmer
Team Activity Rubric (National FFA Rubric is used)
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Resources:
sample scantron
TEAM ACTIVITY
Content Focus for 2026-
- For the team portion, they will focus on the following discussion:
Lawns vs. No-Lawn Landscapes
Controversial Question:
Should traditional grass lawns be replaced with alternative landscaping?
Scenario:
Many communities value green lawns, but critics argue they waste water, require chemicals, and harm the environment. Your team must discuss and evaluate both sides, then take a clear position.
Team Roles (4 members):
1. Pro-Lawn Advocate – Defends traditional lawns (aesthetics, recreation, property value).
2. Anti-Lawn Advocate – Argues against lawns (water use, pollution, maintenance).
3. Environmental Impact Analyst – Discusses effects on water, soil, and wildlife.
4. Community & Policy Representative – Considers rules, neighborhood expectations, and public opinion.
In the end the team agrees as a whole which side they choose and give 1 statement that sums up their reason.
ESTIMATING PRACTICIUM
Practice Drawing
Practice Estimating Exam w Key
EXAM RESOURCES
- For the written exam, teams should focus on three areas of the American Standards of Nursery Stock (same reference as we’ve used the last two years): History of American Standards of Nursery Stock section, Annex B: How to use the publication, Annex C: Glossary words. Teams should also study sections 5 (irrigation) and 9 (responsible pesticide management) of the WGCSA BMP manuals (also the same reference that we’ve used the last two years).
- We’ll use the same ID list for the ID portion.
- For equipment rubrics, teams should study the following: ZTR mowers, line trimmer, chainsaw, skidsteer, surveying instruments, and blower.
Link 1 https://www.wisconsingolfbmp.org/bmphome Focus on sections 3(pollinator protection) and 7 (nutrient management)
Link 2 - American Standards for Nursery Stock Focus on Section 1 (General Standards), Section 3 (Deciduous Shrubs) and Section 4 (Coniferous Evergreens) Pdf file linked here
2024 Wis NL Exam w Answers
PRACTICE SCANTRON - Horticulture
WISCONSIN IDENTIFCATION LIST - Nursery Landscape
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Photo Gallery

2026 State winning team from Stanley Boyd FFA
Lucy Wundrow, Sydney Yates, Melanie Stuttgen, Olivia Bourget
High Individual- Owen Moore from Mishicot
2023 Wisconsin FFA Nursery Landscape Photos LINK
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