2009 FFA Essay Contest Announcement and Official Rules

Rodale Institute announces its first annual essay contest entitled “How Can Farming Restore Human and Ecological Health?” 

The contest is open to high-school students who are FFA members and are enrolled in vocational agriculture classes. The essay should creatively grasp and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for coming generations of farmers as they face diminishing natural resources, mounting evidence of environmental problems, and over-use of chemicals in food production.  

In addition to environmental degradation, future generations will encounter pressing public health problems such as obesity and diabetes. Our current food system contributes to all these problems with its heavy dependence on fossil fuels used in production of fertilizers, pesticides and gasoline used for production and long-distance transportation of often high-calorie and nutrient -poor food products. The negative impact of this approach influences not only our health and the environment but also the fragile economic base of our rural communities. 

Official Rules  
  1. Eligibility: Entrants must be high school students and current FFA members.
  2. Format: Entries must be presented in the format of a Personal Essay (AP style), between 1,000 and 1,500 words, using a double-spaced 12-point font and must include a bibliography (not included in the word count).
  3. Topic: This year’s topic is “How Can Farming Restore Human and Ecological Health?”
  4. Research: Research is essential in creating a quality essay. Please cite library resources, Web URLs wit access dates, and personal interviews with farmers and agriculture professionals.
  5. Bibliography: The bibliography must cite at least four references. Entries that do not include a bibliography will be disqualified.
  6. Entries must be submitted online only at: http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/FFA_Contest_2009 and received by 12:00am EST on February 15, 2009.
  7. Evaluation Procedure: Three national winning essays will be selected on the following basis: 
    • 25 points - Originality and creativity
    • 25 points - Compliance with the assigned topic
    • 20 points - Factual accuracy
    • 15 points - Grammar and organization of content
    • 15 points - Scope of research 

Final judging and selection of three national winners will be made by a committee of agricultural experts selected by the Rodale Institute. Results will be announced at www.rodaleinstitute.org on June 1, 2009. 

  1. Awards: Each winner and her/his advisor will receive a cash prize as follows: 
    • 1st Place - $ 1000 for student, $500 for advisor
    • 2nd Place - $ 500 for student, $250 for advisor
    • 3rd Place - $ 300 for student, $150 for advisor 

Winning essays will be featured on the Rodale Institute’s website and other related print and electronic media. 

Entries cannot be acknowledged or returned, and they become the property of the Rodale Institute. The Institute reserves the right to use any or all entries for promotional purpose.