TEMPLE—Twenty Texas FFA members will be competing July 9-13th for top honors in the annual Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest. Qualified first and second place winners from each of the FFA’s ten areas in Texas are entitled to compete at the state level. The contest is held in conjunction with the 90th Annual Texas FFA Convention in Fort Worth.
The theme of this year’s contest is “Watersheds-Our Water, Our Home.” Students participating in the program must demonstrate knowledge gained from research and consultation with their local Soil and Water Conservation District regarding conservation efforts across the state.
Throughout the contestant’s presentation, there must be further demonstrated knowledge on why good watershed stewardship contributes to the environmental and economic health of a local community, as well as to the state and nation. The student must also present a perspective on current and future water supplies and needs for Texas in contrast to increasing population demands.
The program is based on a graduated level of competition, in which the contestant must have presented his or her speech to a school or local community group as well as have competed at the FFA district level prior to competition at the area level. Students are judged on content, composition, presentation, and responses to questions from a panel of judges. The top three winners at state competition will be awarded scholarships.
The program was established by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts in partnership with the Texas FFA Association and Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association of Texas.