Lora Larson Jackson County,

Lora Larsson, a high school student from Jackson County, Kansas, is among the many talented participants in the Annual Speech Contest. Through her dedication and effort, Lora advanced to the final four at the state level, earning an impressive 2nd place finish.

The KACD Conservation Education and Youth Committee invites high school students in grades 9-12 across Kansas to participate in its annual speech contest. This competition encourages students to explore conservation topics while developing their public speaking and advocacy skills.

How to Enter:
Contact your local conservation district office for details and submission deadlines. District-level winners advance to area contests, and area winners compete at the state level during the KACD Annual Convention in November.

Eligibility:
Open to Kansas residents in grades 9-12.
Previous first-place state winners are ineligible.
Participants compete in the district where they attend school and may enter only one district contest.

Speech Guidelines:
Speeches must be 5–8 minutes long, with penalties for time violations.
Notes are permitted but may impact scoring if overused.
Contestants must provide a supporting document related to their topic, including a brief bibliography.

Awards:
State-level winners receive scholarships for educational purposes:
1st Place: $1,000
2nd Place: $500
Honorable Mentions: $250 each
The contest is sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Kansas, with additional support from the KACD Auxiliary.

For more information and the current year's topic, visit the KACD website at kacd.net/youth-education

Our mission: "Providing local leadership to protect and improve Kansas Natural Resources through collaboration, education and implementation."

KACD helps forge key partnerships among federal, state, and local entities all committed to a common goal: wise and efficient conservation practices to protect the state’s natural resources. These partnerships spanning more than six decades have been highly effective and mutually beneficial, allowing for shared space, equipment, and knowledge.

Visit https://www.kacd.net/ for more information and to learn about our programs and resources!