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AFR Offers Oklahoma Youth Public Speaking Opportunity

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

American Farmers & Ranchers (AFR) is gearing up for the organization’s 68th annual fall speech contest. Competitors in this year's contest will write speeches based on the theme “I Believe in Oklahoma Agriculture.”
AFR and its sister organization, Oklahoma Farmers Union, continue to provide the youth of Oklahoma varied opportunities to develop into the leaders of tomorrow. Every year, more than 500 young Oklahomans compete in the fall speech contest.

“Over the years, our speech contests have been an AFR/OFU priority activity for the youth of Oklahoma,” said AFR President Terry Detrick. “The opportunity these young people have to better their leadership skills and hone their ability to speak publically makes every participant a winner. We encourage every teacher, parent and grandparent to introduce their young people to this opportunity and to encourage their participation. They will not regret it.”

AFR’s fall speech contest is divided into five AFR district contests, giving youth in every part of the state an opportunity to participate. The district contests result in over 160 finalists advancing to the state contest. At each contest, students grades 4-12 compete in five categories—American Farmers & Ranchers, Natural Resources, Student Organizations, Agribusiness and Agriscience. Participants are asked to pre-register five days prior to their district’s contest.

The 2012 contest dates are as follows:

  • Northwest District IV, Fairview – Tuesday, Nov. 6
  • Southwest District V, Cache – Thursday, Nov. 8
  • Southeast District II, EOSC, Wilburton – Monday, Nov. 12
  • Central District III, Newcastle – Thursday, Nov. 13
  • Northeast District I, Lonestar School, Sapulpa – Thursday, Nov. 15
  • State Finals, OSU Stillwater – Saturday, Dec. 1

The fall AFR speech contest is just one of several exciting AFR Youth Program traditions. AFR hosts a poster contest, summer youth leadership summit, statewide scholarships, livestock handling and skills contest, livestock judging and grading, and many other leadership opportunities.

Qualified individuals are needed to serve as judges for the 2012 fall speech contests. Forty-eight judges are required for each district. For more information on speech contest procedure, pre-registration, how to become a judge for a contest or for information on other AFR youth events, contact AFR Youth & Education Coordinator Lin Fariss at (405)218-5561 or lfariss@afrmic.com.

American Farmers & Ranchers was established in 1905, and is headquartered in Oklahoma City. AFR is actively supportive of Oklahoma’s agricultural industry and rural population, and provides educational, legislative, and cooperative programs across the state. AFR also provides insurance products statewide, and is recognized as a leading domestic insurance carrier in the state of Oklahoma.