FDACS Announces Inaugural Florida Farm to School Essay Contest for High School Students
Students can enter through November 15 for a chance to win up to $1,500 and meet Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness (FNW) announced the launch of the first ever Florida Farm to School Essay Contest. Open now through November 15, the contest invites Florida high school students to celebrate October’s Farm to School Month by reflecting on the valuable contributions farmers and producers make to communities across the state.
“Educating Florida’s students about agriculture is key to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of where their food comes from,” said Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “With this contest, we are not only motivating students to consider the importance of eating Florida-grown foods, but also working to ensure the next generation values and supports our vibrant agricultural community.”
The contest’s top three winners will each receive a Florida Prepaid 529 Savings Plan scholarship worth up to $1,500 and the opportunity to immerse themselves in Florida’s agricultural industry through an exclusive meet and greet with Commissioner Simpson. The first-place winner will also be recognized at FNW’s annual Farm to School Conference in March 2025 and have their essay published with Specialty Crop Grower magazine.
Florida students in grades nine through 12 enrolled in public, private, and charter schools, and those in virtual and home-school programs, are eligible to enter. To be considered, students must submit one essay between 500 and 800 words, responding to one of three prompts:
- Letter to a Farmer: Write a letter thanking a local farmer – real or fictional – for their contributions to your school, community, and/or overall health.
- Nourish Your Future: Write a persuasive letter to convince your peers to eat more locally grown foods, emphasizing the connection between Florida agriculture and nutrition.
- If I Were a Farmer: Imagine you were a farmer in your community. Write about what you would grow and why, and how your farm would contribute to your school and community.
The contest is an extension of FDACS’s Florida Farm to School initiative, which aims to increase Florida commodities served in schools, offer more nutritious meal options for Florida’s children, and enrich students’ agriculture and nutrition education through school garden activities.
Visit FarmToSchoolFL.com/Essay to learn more about the Florida Farm to School Essay Contest, including official rules and how to enter.