The State Fair, known for its great quality of 4-H, FFA and collegiate judging contests, has added another contest under its belt; agricultural issues forum.
The contest, held during the Career and Commodities fair, was an open event to the public. The vibe in the room for this year’s contest was full of energy and passion for agriculture. The teams were very positive and knowledgeable about their topics and willing to educate the public.
“The teams did great,” said judge, Lindsay Garrett. “I was really impressed with how much the contestants knew and even more impressed with what they were able to teach me.”
Pilot Point FFA and Canyon FFA were the two winning teams at this year’s event, with Pilot Point taking the first place prize and Canyon went home with ‘best decorated/most spirited award’.
“We were so excited to start the Agricultural Issues forum contest at the State Fair of Texas,” said Anne Kimmey, superintendent for the agricultural issues forum competition. “We are already planning for next year’s contest and anticipating the new teams that will be added.”
Agricultural issues is a pro and con speaking event that is held through the FFA. Participants find and research an agricultural issue, record their findings and use that information to present to a panel of judges who will in turn ask the participants questions.
The agricultural issues event is a national sanctioned forum. In Texas, the FFA chapter will compete at the district level, advance to area, qualify for state, and if the chapter makes the top two teams at state, they then advance to the national contest which is held in November.