Oklahoma Farm Report’s Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays had the honor of helping judge the State Prepared Public Speaking contest at the 99th State FFA Convention and Expo on May 6 at the BOK Center. Once the decision was made, he scored an interview with the winning competitor, Annie Schneider of the Seiling FFA Chapter, where she serves as the Chapter President.
In addition to public speaking competitions, she has compiled vet science projects and competed in livestock judging, but she says that speeches are her favorite.
“My Natural Resources Speech is essentially emphasizing the issue of overgrazing, why it’s important that we don’t overgraze, and different grazing plans that farmers and ranchers can implement to ensure that they are taking good care of their land and cattle,” she described.
Her interest in the topic began while riding around with her dad, looking at land and cattle and discussing the issue of overgrazing with him. She has developed the speech over the course of two years and is excited to present her speech at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, in a few months.
“FFA has given me the confidence and the mindset and toolset to go out and achieve my dreams,” she said. “I never thought I would be here, and I never thought I was good enough, but because I had an ag teacher and fellow members that really believed in me, I have been able to achieve this that I never would have been able to do on my own.”
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