TEMPLE— Three Texas FFA members, have traveled a long competitive path contending against peers throughout the state to win top honors in the statewide Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest. The event focused on the theme One Water. The speech contest was held in conjunction with the 95th Texas FFA State Convention on July 10th-14th in Dallas, Texas.
The contest is sponsored by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts (ATSWCD) in cooperation with the Texas FFA Association.
Placing first and earning a scholarship in the amount of $3,000 was Katie Turner, a member of the Llano FFA Chapter.
Earning second place honors along with a $2,000 scholarship was Jeremiah McGee, a member of the Union Grove FFA Chapter.
Third-place honors along with a $1,000 scholarship went to Cason Green, a member of the Iowa Park FFA Chapter.
The ATSWCD generously provides the funding for the well-deserved scholarships. Kent Batman, president of the ATSWCD said, “The value of this initiative is that every student who participates in this program becomes an ambassador for agriculture and the soil and water conservation district program in Texas.”
Concurring with Batman, David Basinger, chairman of the TSSWCB added, “Through this speech contest we try to support agricultural education by providing a means through which students can develop leadership skills and real-world awareness to accurately speak about renewable natural resources issues and how to address them. Furthermore, the program gives the student a better vision of the future of agriculture and how agriculture benefits the state and nation’s society as a whole,” added Basinger.
For more information about the Soil Stewardship Public Speaking Contest visit: https://www.tsswcb.texas.gov/programs/public-information-and-education/soil-and-water-stewardship-public-speaking-contest
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