Youth in Grazing Management Competition: Contest Guidelines

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AFGC's Youth in Grazing Management Competition is sponsored through the generous support of R.L & Pat Dalrymple/Elstel Farm & Seed.

The American Forage and Grassland Council is soliciting entries for its Youth in Grazing Management Essay Contest. This Contest is funded by the generous support of R.L and Pat Dalrymple and Elstel Farm and Seed of Ardmore OK. There are three age categories for participants. Essays must be original composition of the entrants. Essays can either by typed or legibly hand written. Subject matter may be anything pertaining to grazing management, including but not limited to, personal experiences in grazing management, observation or explanation of grazing practices, livestock management on pasture, fencing or other equipment related to grazing management, plant or animal species response to grazing management, or any other subject matter related to grazing management. Awards will be based on the decision of a three judge panel and all decisions will be final.

The age categories are based on age as of January 1, 2011.

• Category 1) Under 14 years of age 200 to 400 word essay
• Category 2) 14 to 18 years of age 350 to 500 word essay
• Category 3) 19 to 22 years of age 800 to 1000 word essay

Monetary prizes are as follows:

The deadline for the 2011 Youth in Grazing Management Essay Contest is May 1, 2011. Entries should be submitted electronically via e-mail to info@afgc.org. Please use 12 pt. type, single spaced. Clearly identify your name and entry category in the top, right-hand corner of your essay. Word or Adobe PDF documents preferred. Alternatively, entries can be mailed to AFGC, PO Box 867, Berea, KY 40403.

2010 Papers

• Year Round Grazing: Don't Let Your Money Stand Stagnant - Elisabeth Bianco - 19-22 Age Group 
• Exploring Alternative Winter Grazing Forages - Andrea Eilenfeld - 19-22 Age Group
• Management Intensive Grazing - A Cost Effective Approach to Feeding Horses - Heather Hershberger - 19-22 Age Group

2009 Papers

• Let's Get Back to the Basics With Management Intensive Grazing - Krystal Guthrie - 19-22 Age Group
• Management-Intensive Grazing - Tim Lamb - 19-22 Age Group
• Letting Everyone Feel Needed - Joe Zimmerman - 19-22 Age Group
• Cattle and Goat Companion Grazing - Paul Shanks - Under 14

2008 Papers

• Management Intensive Grazing: Solutions for the Future - Matt Hutcheson - 19-22 Age Group
• An Option to Extend the Grazing Season - Jim Kuhn - 19-22 Age Group
• Making the Change From Continuous to Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) - Jennifer Osborne - 19-22 Age Group
• Managing Your Warm-Season Grasses - Tosha Wood - 14-18 Age Group
• How We Started Managed Grazing in Central Missouri - Paul Shanks - Under 14

2007 Papers

• Advantages to Management Intensive Grazing - Jordan Beck - 19-22 Age Group
• Effects of Management Intensive Grazing and Pasture Health - Hannah Fout - 19-22 Age Group
• Management Intensive Grazing in Southern Ohio - Brice Acton - 19-22 Age Group
• Controlling Fescue Entophyte in Tall Fescue Pastures - Tosha Wood - 14-18 Age Group
• Best Cows for the Job - Jessica Powell - 14-18 Age Group

2010 Contest Winners:

Under 14 years old:

1st Place:

Paul Shank, Belle, Missouri

19-22 Years Old

1st Place:

Heather Hershberger

2nd Place:

Andrea Eilenfeld

3rd Place:

Elisabeth Bianco