Agribusiness GROWMARK is once again sponsoring its annual essay contest with the goals of helping young people develop their writing skills, learning about current issues affecting agriculture, and understanding the unique role of cooperatives. In its 22nd year, the theme for the 2015 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “Exploring Careers in Agriculture,” and it’s open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
This year, students are asked to choose a career in agriculture, find someone currently working in that career, and conduct an interview. Students then will write their essays about that career and the details of their interview.
Essays should be approximately 500 words, typed and double-spaced. The postmarked entry deadline for Iowa FFA members is February 13. The postmarked entry deadline for Illinois and Wisconsin FFA members is March 13. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com (click on Our Commitments/Youth & Young Farmers/Essay Contest).
“Agriculture is a thriving industry in America, and there are a wide variety of career paths young people could pursue,” said Karen Jones, GROWMARK cooperative affairs and communications specialist. “By conducting a personal interview with someone already involved in a field of interest, students will learn more details about career opportunities and begin to form a professional network.”
Each state’s winner will get a $500 award and the winner’s FFA chapter will receive a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards.