Aug. 28, 2014
Gainesville – Food security is an important issue to the people of the United States. How can Florida agriculture continue to provide solutions for food security in the future?
Teenagers across the Sunshine State will address this question in the 2014 Florida Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest. Contestants must present a five-minute speech on the assigned topic without using visual aids.
Each year the Florida Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Program sponsors a Youth Speech Contest starting at the county level. The winner of each county contest competes in a district contest and eight district winners compete later in the state competition at the Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in October.
The contest provides a clearer understanding of the many facets of agriculture and its importance for everyday living. “The Youth Speech Contest provides opportunities for our youth to learn more about agriculture and help them master the art of public speaking,” said Michael Rogalsky, coordinator of the Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program. “I am continually impressed by our participants’ comfort level at the podium.”
The contest is open to any student who is 14 years of age and not over 18 years of age by Sept. 19, 2014. Students must be a resident of the county of the sponsoring Farm Bureau. The deadline for submitting district winners for state competition is Sept. 19, 2014. Students do not have to be county Farm Bureau members to participate.
State competitors will win $500 for earning the first place award and $250 for the second place award. Local and district prizes will be determined by county Farm Bureaus. For more information about the contest, download the application or contact the local Farm Bureau county office.
The Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program is committed to telling the farming story at the local, state and national level. Farm Bureau Women are actively involved with schools, charitable organizations and various events to promote public understanding about agriculture.
Florida Farm Bureau, the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 147,000 member-families. We serve to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities.