Director: Micah Osburn
Chairman: Tammi Skrhak
Committee Member: Riley Green
Entry Fee: $10 per individual
Entry Deadline: August 1, 2026
Late Entries: until September 1, 2026 for a $25 entry fee
Date of Contest: Monday, September 21, 2026
Registration: burlesoncl.fairwire.com
Time of Contest: 3:00p.m.
Final Round: Immediately following preliminary round, if needed
Awards: Immediately following final round
RULES:
1. All rules apply to the Agricultural Public Speaking Contest as listed in the general rules of the exhibitor
handbook. All rules and/or procedures are subject to change by the committee.
2. Age Divisions will be:
● Junior Division: 3rd
-5
th grade
● Intermediate Division: 6th
-8th grade
● Senior Division: 9th
-12th grade
3. Contestants in each division will be divided into groups depending on category. Categories must be
indicated upon entry by August 1st; category changes after entry deadline will not be permitted.
4. Speech title and statement of originality all must be submitted at time of entry. There will be no
exceptions, incomplete entries will not be accepted.
5. Business attire or officiation 4-H/FFA attire is recommended.
6. Contestants are required to upload the following items at the time of entry to the online registration
form:
a. Speech Title and Category
b. A statement of originality signed by the contestant and parent(s) must be attached to each
copy of the speech.
7. Contestants must submit manuscripts electronically to the chairman one week before the contest.
8. If a contestant chooses to not follow the documentation guidelines outlined, point deductions will be
taken at the discretion of the superintendent, show management and judges.
9. Speech shall be a minimum of four (4) minutes in length and a maximum of six (6) minutes.
Time point deductions will be as follows:
1. Under four (4) minutes- one (1) point per ten seconds
2. Over six (6) minutes- one (1) point per ten seconds
3. Judge can stop student at 7 minutes if they are still speaking
10. Each judge will ask each contestant a question. Each answer will be no longer than 90 seconds.
11. Each contestant will enter their speech in one of four categories. A contestant may enter in one
category only. There are subject matters which may be appropriate in more than one category. Final
determination of all speeches will be at the discretion of the superintendent and show management.
The category the student wishes to enter must be submitted with the original entry form.
12. Previous 1st place winners in Junior and Senior Divisions must select a new speech topic (can be the
same speech category) to remain eligible to enter the contest in subsequent years.
13. Committee members have the right to change/amend any rules, guidelines, or awards pertaining to
this contest.
CATEGORIES:
Agricultural Policy/Agribusiness: Any current or future subject that deals with topics such as domestic farm
issues, international trade, international competition, rural economic development, legal issues, animal rights,
subsidies, price supports, cooperatives, sales, service, communications, entrepreneurship, marketing,
finance, commodities, hedging, advertising.
Animal Science: Any current or future subject that deals with any aspects of the dairy, equine, poultry,
sheep, goat, swine, beef, or specialty animal industries.
Horticulture/Landscape/Natural Resources: Any current or future subject that addresses any aspect of the
horticulture and/or agronomy industries including floriculture, fruit and/or vegetable production, nursery
operations, turf and landscape management, crop production, specialty crop production, soil, water, air,
water quality, wildlife, forestry, aquaculture, conservation, recreation, recycling, energy environmental issues,
etc.
Western Heritage/Ag Advocacy: Any current or future subject that deals with the tops such as Western
history, culture, or heritage. Any current or future subject that addresses topics such as biotechnology,
biogenetics, bioengineering, mechanical engineering, new Agri-technology applications, global positioning
and other satellite technology, computer applications, etc.
AWARDS:
Junior Division
1st Place Winner-Plaque and Premium money TBD
2nd & 3rd Place Winners- Premium money TBD
Intermediate Division
1st Place Winner-Plaque and Premium money TBD
2nd & 3rd Place Winners- Premium money TBD
Senior Division
1st Place Winner-Plaque and Premium money TBD
2nd & 3rd Place Winners- Premium money TBD