Bonnyville youth speaker takes top prize at Youth Agriculture Speaking Championship

This post was originally published on this site.

Calgary, Alta. (Rural Roots Canada) – Shelby Dutertre arrived at the Youth Agriculture Speaking Championship looking for an experience. She left as a champion.

The Bonnyville, Alta., youth speaker talked her way to a first-place finish in the Senior division at this year’s event, hosted by the Calgary Stampede.

It was a result that she says she never saw coming.

“Honestly, I just came here as an experience, not expecting this,” she said. “So, this was really awesome. I’m really happy to be here. I’m really thankful for my support system for helping me along the way.”

The competition started with preliminary competitions in Athabasca, Olds and Calgary, with the top competitors advancing to the finals.

Dutertre’s winning speech focused on an ongoing challenge in Canadian agriculture: building connections between the next generation of agriculture professionals and today’s agricultural producers and leaders.

The competition is a partnership between the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture, Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies and the Calgary Stampede.

“I feel like there’s been a disconnect, and I’ve spoken at a few places about how to connect them,” explained Dutertre. “Seeing this opportunity and being able to speak on bringing youth up, I think, was really important because I think that’s how agriculture is going to grow.”

Duterte will now represent Alberta at the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture speaking competition at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto this fall.

The winner of the Junior Division was Arielle Enechukwu, speaking on “What recommendations would you make to the municipal government to promote urban agriculture in your community?”

The Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture program is designed to help young people develop valuable communication skills while building stronger connections between consumers and the agriculture industry. Participants are encouraged to explore agricultural issues that matter to them and communicate those ideas with a broader audience.

Photo Courtesy: Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture and Calgary Stampede.

The post Bonnyville youth speaker takes top prize at Youth Agriculture Speaking Championship first appeared on Rural Roots Canada.