Rodale Institute announces the 2009 FFA essay contest winners

To encourage creative thinking about the future of farming, the Rodale Institute announced its first essay contest in September 2008. We opened the competition to all high school FFA members in the U.S., asking them to write on the topic: "How Can Farming Restore Human and Ecological Health?"

The contest instructions were designed to inspire students to imagine, research and discuss the challenges and opportunities for sustainable solutions that lie ahead as farmers face the diminishing natural resources, mounting evidence of environmental problems, and over-use of chemicals in food production.

The Institute has selected three top entries from a strong crop of entries. (See below.) Check back after June 4 to read more about the winning writers.

Thanks to each student who submitted an essay. We encourage all FFA members interested in the future of agriculture as a sustainable sector of this country’s economy to participate in next year's contest.

Check our website starting September 17 for details on 2010 title and official rules.