Final answer:
The first national competitive event for 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade FFA members is the Annual FFA Convention & Expo.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first national competitive event for 7th, 8th and 9th grade FFA members is the Annual FFA Convention & Expo. This event brings together FFA members from all over the country to compete in various competitions and showcase their skills in areas such as public speaking, agricultural sales, livestock judging, and more.
For example, in the agricultural sales competition, students have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of marketing principles and pitch agricultural products to potential customers. In the livestock judging competition, students evaluate and rank different animals based on their physical attributes and industry standards.
Participating in these competitions helps FFA members develop their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the agriculture industry.