Agricultural Public Speaking Contest

Director: Kimberly Giesenschlag

Chairman: Tammi Skrhak

Committee Member: Riley Green

Entry Fee: $10 per individual

Entry Deadline: August 1, 2025

Late Entries: until September 1, 2025 for a $25 entry fee

Date of Contest: Monday, September 22, 2025

Registration:

Time of Contest: 3:00p.m.

Final Round: Immediately following preliminary round, if needed

Awards: Immediately following final round

RULES:

• 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.
• Age Divisions will be:
• Contestants in each division will be divided into groups depending on category.Categories must be indicated upon entry by August 1, 2025; category changes after entry deadline will not be permitted.
• 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.
• Business attire or officiation 4-H/FFA attire is recommended.
• Contestants are required to upload the following items at the time of entry to the online registration form:
  • Speech Title and Category
  • A statement of originality signed by the contestant and parent(s) must be attached to each copy of the speech.
• Contestants must submit manuscript to electronically to the chairman one week before the contest.
• 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.
• Speech shall be a minimum of four (4) minutes in length and a maximum of six (6) minutes.
• Each judge will ask each contestant a question. Each answer will be no longer than 90 seconds.
• 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.
• Previous 1^st 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.
• Committee members have the right to change/amend any rules, guidelines, or awards pertaining to this contest.

• Junior Division: 3^rd-5^th grade
• Intermediate Division: 6^th-8th grade
• Senior Division: 9^th-12^th grade

Time point deductions will be as follows:

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

1^st Place Winner-Plaque and Premium money TBD

2^nd & 3^rd Place Winners- Premium money TBD

Intermediate Division

1^st Place Winner-Plaque and Premium money TBD

2^nd & 3^rd Place Winners- Premium money TBD

Senior Division

1^st Place Winner-Plaque and Premium money TBD

2^nd & 3^rd Place Winners- Premium money TBD