We know what the farmer of today looks like. What about the farmer of tomorrow? What does his day look like? What tools will she use? Who will he partner with? How will she contribute to feeding, fueling, and clothing our growing world? That is exactly what the GROWMARK Essay Contest wants to know, from you!
The theme for the 2020 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “Describe the ‘Farmer of the Future.’ What tools or skills will he or she need to be successful?” The contest is open to all high school FFA members in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Students will share their idea of what the farmers of tomorrow will be and discuss the skills and tools they will need to use.
This is the 27th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders. The essay contest seeks to help young people develop their writing skills, learn about current issues affecting agriculture, and understand the unique role of cooperatives.
Essays can be submitted online on their website. The deadline for all submissions is midnight Central time on November 8, 2019. Additional program details have been sent to agriculture teachers and are online at www.growmark.com. Each state’s winner earns a $500 award and the winner’s FFA chapter receives a $300 award. Four runners-up per state each win $125 awards.
The program is offered annually and many agriculture teachers use it as part of their class curriculum. Past topics have included sustainability, careers in agriculture, and the cooperative principles.
