The theme for the 2019 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “What does the future of agriculture look like to you, and what skills will you need to play a part in it?” The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
This is the 26th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives.
Students will write about their goals for a career in agriculture and explain the skills they will need to develop to be successful.
Essays will be submitted online. The deadline for all submissions is midnight central time on Nov. 9. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com/company/youth-young-farmers/pages/essay-contest.aspx.
Each state’s winner earns a $500 award and the winner’s FFA chapter receives a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards.
The program is offered annually and many agriculture teachers use it as part of their class curriculum. Past topics have included sustainability, careers in agriculture, and the cooperative principles.