2019 Themes
Note: The scholarship application begins after the contest rules below.
Essay Theme:
2020 may go down as the year an industrial hemp industry begins in Ohio. The Ohio Dept of Agriculture will soon officially begin the state hemp program.
Based on information from ODA’s website and news coverage from other states, what’s your view of the feasibility of hemp becoming a profitable crop for family farmers? In your answer, consider things like the cost of licensing and proposed regulations as outlined in the ODA rules proposal. Also, consider the larger market forces for industrial hemp – where will farmers market their crops, are there other states in the U.S. or regions in Canada where there has already been success in hemp cultivation? Is industrial hemp an exciting new opportunity or are there too many risks in a market that is not fully formed?
2020 Entry Instructions – Rules
The essay must be submitted via the electronic form below. Essays must be between 500 and 1,000 words in length. Entrants should not reveal their identity in the body of their essay, so that we may ensure a blind review by judges. If you have any issues with the form below, please contact Ron Sylvester via email at rcs[at]ronsylvester[dot]com.
Eligibility:
Any member of the Ohio Farmers Union who is a high school senior is eligible to apply. Applicants need not have a membership in their own name if their parents or grandparents are members of the Ohio Farmers Union.
Entry Deadline:
January 22, 2020, by noon.
Judging Criteria:
- 50 percent creativity
- 25 percent topic development
- 25 percent presentation
Awards:
First place will receive $750 and the runner-up will receive $250. The award is paid to the winner and runner-up and their choice of institution of higher learning at the time of enrollment.
Good Luck!
