Cleveland FFA Chapter Wins State Agricultural Sales Competition

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – The Cleveland High School FFA Chapter earned first place in the North Carolina FFA Association Agricultural Sales Senior Division Career Development Event on March 11, 2026, held on the campus of the University of Mount Olive. Team members included Gavin Bledsoe, Ayden Capps, Sunni Johnson, and Holland Tyler, under the guidance of FFA Advisor Brett Capps.

Participants in the Agricultural Sales event develop valuable interpersonal and professional skills. Each team conducted a five-minute sales presentation to a panel of judges, completed a sales knowledge test, and collaboratively created and presented a pre-call plan. During the sales presentation, teams were evaluated on product knowledge, customer interaction, and their ability to address customer needs and handle objections.

By claiming first place in the state, the Cleveland FFA Chapter has earned the opportunity to represent North Carolina at the National FFA Agricultural Sales Career Development Event during the National FFA Convention this October. The top three teams and the highest-scoring individual will also be recognized at the North Carolina FFA State Convention in Raleigh from June 23–25, 2026.

This event is one of 43 state-level Career Development Events offered to North Carolina FFA members, providing students with hands-on experience and leadership development in agricultural careers.

North Carolina FFA is a youth organization with 48,879 student members across 371 local chapters, preparing the next generation for leadership and careers in the science, business, and technology of agriculture. FFA helps students achieve premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.