by AUTUMN McMAHAN, Polk County FFA Federation President
As the school season kicks off, many FFA chapters are starting the year off strong, with their programs already in full swing. From first days to interest meetings to CDE practices, many students, new and old, are finding their place in the FFA and discovering all the FFA has to offer. One of the many things FFA has to offer, in abundance, is the wide variety of speaking competitions, so of course we must kick the year off with a great one; the Polk County Farm Bureau Youth Speech competition!
Every year, in late August, the Polk County Farm Bureau hosts a speaking competition for all FFA members, middle and high school alike, for a chance to dip their toes into public speaking before the various public speaking LDEs begin, particularly the Prepared Public Speaking LDE. This year’s topic was “What obstacles threaten Florida agriculture’s economic viability, and how do we address them?” and it was a stiff competition to be sure! Members of various chapters from across Polk County showed up and showed out in this competition, educating their audience and the judges about topics like climate change, hurricanes, industrialization, greening, and more! High school members were also able to inspire the younger middle school members who came early to watch the older members compete.
The winners of this competition were Bellamy Howell (Lake Gibson High School) in the High School division receiving a cash prize, and Isabell McKeon (Bok Academy North Middle) in the Middle School division receiving a cash prize, and both will be moving on to the district level! For the High School division, Mary Grace Durrance (Lake Wales High School) came in second place and Mattie Fountain (Lakeland Christian School) came in third! For the Middle School division, Adrianna Marin (Bartow Middle School) came in second place and Sawyer Anderson (Fort Meade Middle) came in third! Twelve students came out to compete, including members of our very own Polk County Federation, like Federation Vice President Mattie Fountain, who came in third in the High School division. From here, we are confident that Bellamy and Isabell will go on to represent Imperial Polk County well at the district level, spreading knowledge of agriculture and awareness about the issues that Florida agriculture is currently facing.
Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, more and more FFA members will go on competing in various speaking LDEs and competitions, from Prepared Public Speaking to Spanish Creed speaking, living up to the FFA creed, “I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.” Through these competitions, FFA members will learn how to exert that influence and speak in a way that is compelling and informs the public about the history, triumphs, struggles, and value of agriculture. After the competition, all members were given the chance to get constructive feedback on their speeches, feedback they can apply to speaking contests in the future. This competition is only the beginning of a very productive school year for chapters and members across Polk County, and we couldn’t have hoped for a greater start!
Bellamy Howell, Lake Gibson High School – 1st place Polk County Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest Winner, High School Division
Isabell McKeon, Bok Academy North Middle School – 1st place Polk County Farm Bureau Youth Speech Contest Winner, Middle School Division