Bio security, Risk Management, and Sustainable ag?

Question

I am an FFA member who will be competeing in the Extemporanious Public speaking contest. Where i am given a topic about ag, and 30 mins to write a 5 min speech.

I know what these things are but i would just like some input on what some of the most important points are, as i am not in high production ag.

Other things that may come up are, Niche markets, forigen pests effect on agriculture, and Urban Agriculture.

Any input would be great THANKS!

Answer 1

Aside from knowing the subject, and I'm betting you do and that you love it enough and care about our world and feeding it, you would be doing yourself best by being confident, like you were born to be on the stage. Speak as often as you can in front of groups and if you do and if you have, you know what I mean. When the audience loves you, and especially if you can get a laugh, your "golden".

Now look at each topic and pick a point to work with. With sustainable agriculture, point out how often people confuse it with organic growing and site why they get confused. You have, in doing that, narrowed the subject down, and made it interesting and informative. Ask them "What would you say if..." as you get them involved and get them thinking.

Foreign pests, look to the newest, the emerald ash borer, a native Asian beetle that is killing ash trees in states that border Wisconsin. How about the hard hit areas with our old nemesis, the Japanese beetle. Real bad this year in places. Be on top of current events, and inform them. You will have their attention.

Take an idea that can combine topics, look at niche markets IN urban agriculture. Go out and find a crop and market and someone growing it and interview them. It is fiddle-head season in the north east. I love the little fiddle-heads, those green bean flavored fern sprouts, Everyone go to the store and try them, steamed with a bit of butter, stir fried. Compare the perils of going to the forest to gather fiddle-heads and not having a clue, to gathering mushrooms and not having a clue, and killing someone/ yourself. A little horror to captivate an audience.

The name of the game is talk about a thing the people want to hear. Be comfortable and ready. Try some of the above ideas or try something like them. Focus on an aspect, not the whole of a thing, or the audience will snore. Find aspects that connect the people with the topic. Practice in front of people and after a short while you'll find it is natural to the point of being fun. Confidence is a winner. Try to make um laugh, it involves them, or ask them questions. Current events are a must, and do some reading on the topics daily to keep fresh, including biographies, Who was Jethro Tull (No not the group).

Answer 2

Read up on the subjects as much as possible before you go to give the speech. Give yourself a broad knowledge base on each factor andl you will be prepared to write a narrowed down view for your speech. The following sites would be a good way to get started. Good luck with your speech.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content...

http://www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/1997/riskmg...

http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm...

Bio securty is a big must, if ag. is to becomes more efficient in the future we need to protect our farms from dieseases.

Risk managment is something as little as putting an extra chain around a gate to keep an animal in to taking out insurance on crops. It varies based on producers needs. Smaller producers with less at risk are not going to need insurance where as huge corporations need it.

Niche markets are growing especially because of food safety issues. Urban agriculutre is growing and the urban population needs to be educated about where their food comes from.

Answer 3

Wow, you're on the ball, we haven't done anything for contests yet. Are you going to nationals?

Bio securty is a big must, if ag. is to becomes more efficient in the future we need to protect our farms from dieseases.

Risk managment is something as little as putting an extra chain around a gate to keep an animal in to taking out insurance on crops. It varies based on producers needs. Smaller producers with less at risk are not going to need insurance where as huge corporations need it.

Niche markets are growing especially because of food safety issues. Urban agriculutre is growing and the urban population needs to be educated about where their food comes from. Greetings from Michigan

Answer 4

Read up on the subjects as much as possible before you go to give the speech.  Give yourself a broad knowledge base on each factor andl you will be prepared to write a narrowed down view for your speech.  The following sites would be a good way to get started.  Good luck with your speech.

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content...

http://www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/1997/riskmg...

http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/concept.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable...