AgriScience Fair

2026 Pennsylvania FFA Agriscience Fair

What Is the Agriscience Fair?

The Agriscience Fair gives FFA members the opportunity to showcase their scientific research projects related to agriculture, food, and natural resources. Students design and conduct a research project, write a formal report, and—if selected—present their work through an interview process.

Projects are judged first on the written report. The top projects in each category and division advance to present their research at the National Agriscience Fair during National FFA Convention.

How the Agriscience Fair Works

Members complete a research project and submit a written report and application (from AET).
Written reports are scored during summer judging.
The Top 15 projects in each category/division are selected based on the written report score.
These finalists present their projects at the National Agriscience Fair and participate in interviews.
The written report counts for 25% of the overall score. Interview judges will not see the written report score.
Final rankings are determined after the interview process.

Important Dates & Deadlines

March 31, 2026 (11:59 PM):
Applications and reports (all from AET) due
April 21, 2026:
Zoom interviews will be held
June 1, 2026:
State declaration due through state staff My FFA
July 15, 2026:
Member certification due through chapter advisor’s My FFA
July 15, 2026 (postmark deadline):
Complete written report and Excel Agriscience Fair application must be mailed to the National FFA Center
(If July 15 falls on a Sunday, the postmark deadline is the next business day.)

The application is available on the National FFA Agriscience Fair webpage. All pages must be included, fully completed, and signed. Missing pages, incomplete sections, or missing signatures will result in an incomplete application.

August 5–10, 2026 (Summer Judging):
Written reports are scored and the Top 15 in each category/division are selected and announced (along with proficiency and national chapter finalists).

Divisions

Divisions remain the same as previous years:

Division 1: Individual, Grades 7–8
Division 2: Team, Grades 7–8
Division 3: Individual, Grades 9–10
Division 4: Team, Grades 9–10
Division 5: Individual, Grades 11–12
Division 6: Team, Grades 11–12

Important notes:

Grade level is determined by the member’s grade at the time of state certification (grade level at time of winning the state event).
Team members must be from the same chapter at the time of state certification (grade level at time of winning the state event).

Participation Rules & Eligibility

Once a member places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a specific category/division, they may not compete again in that same category/division.
- Example: If a student places in Animal Systems, Division 2, they must choose a different category or move to a different division (such as a team division) to compete in Animal Systems again.

All application materials must be complete, accurate, and submitted by the stated deadlines.
Applications that are incomplete, missing pages, missing signatures, or submitted in the wrong category may be disqualified.

Judging & Advancement

The Top 15 in each category/division are selected based on the written report score.
These Top 15 advance to the National Agriscience Fair to present their research project.
The written report counts for 25% of the overall score.
Interview judges will not see the written report score.
For full details on formatting and scoring, refer to the Agriscience Fair Handbook and Rubric

Awards & Rankings

Final rankings are designated as:

1–5: Gold
6–15: Silver
16 and above: Bronze
Participant: Incomplete Application
Disqualified: Wrong Category or Violation of Rules

National winners in each category/division will continue to be recognized on the main stage during the Friday evening session at National FFA Convention.