The program is sponsored in cooperation with Pi Alpha Xi National. The Intercollegiate Flower Judging Contest annually brings university teams together to compete and determine who knows the most about the end result of cultural perfection of fresh flower, foliage and flowering plant production. In a continuing effort to bring a focus on floriculture. This program is designed to encourage agriculture students to become established in the floral industry. Students must pursue a practical experience by either establishing their own business or by training with an industry company.
Students compete on a local, state and regional basis.
Winners of the four regional competitions attend the national convention where the winner is selected. The American Floral Endowment continually works to attract bright students to floriculture. Another national competition, the Endowment supports the Floriculture contest as a way to stimulate the study of and interest in production and retailing of flowers, plants and foliage through the agriculture education curriculum in high schools. The hundreds of booth at the FFA are designed to attract the young students and inform them of the excitement and opportunities available in the many agricultural career fields. Programs are designed to help young people obtain a basic knowledge and understanding of horticulture and develop leadership skills.