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Florida Farm to School Essay Contest

Thank you to every Florida high school student who participated in our first-ever Florida Farm to School Essay Contest! We received more than 240 submissions from talented students across Florida, and it was incredibly hard choosing our top three submissions. We appreciate everyone’s thoughtful essays celebrating Florida agriculture and the importance of eating locally grown foods.

See below for our 2024 contest winners and sign up to receive updates about future contests.

2024 Winning Essays   

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2024 Winning Essays
First Place

Hoang D. from Duval County

Prompt: If I Were a Farmer

Excerpt: “As my crops feed and provide strength to each student, I will sit back on my rocking chair admiring my green fields, knowing that my foods will go on and have lasting impacts on the lives around me.”

Second Place

Bailey M. from Collier County

Prompt: If I Were a Farmer

Excerpt: “As a farmer, I care about the quality of my produce. I care about the people in my community. I care about educating others on the importance of the agricultural sector to the lives of everyone.”

Third Place

Moitri S. from Seminole County

Prompt: Letter to a Farmer

Excerpt: “By closely working with local agrochemical researchers, including myself, you are helping preserve a vital industry and the food traditions our community cherishes, like fresh orange juice or delicious homemade key lime pie.”

Contest Guidelines
Our 2024 Topics
Topic 1: 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.

Topic 2: 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.

Topic 3: 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.

Who is Eligible?

The contest is open to Florida students in grades 9 – 12, including those in public, private and charter schools, as well as virtual and home-schooled students.

Word Count

Minimum 500 words, maximum 800 words (excluding any titles, references and footnotes). References and footnotes are not required.

You will also be asked to write a short personal statement when you submit your entry. This will not be scored.

Originality

We want to read your original work! All essays will be screened for plagiarism and use of artificial intelligence (AI) software. Any plagiarism or use of AI detected will result in disqualification.

Review Official Rules

Contest Milestones

October 1, 2024: Contest Entry Form Opens

November 15, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST: Submission Deadline

December 15, 2024: Winners are Notified

How to Apply

To apply, simply complete our Contest Entry Form and upload your original essay responding to one of our three topics. Please submit your essay as a Word Document.

This contest is now closed.

Questions?

Review our Frequently Asked Questions. Don’t see what you need? Contact our team at [email protected].

Contest Prizes

Meet the Commissioner

All winners will have the opportunity to participate together in an exclusive “Meet the Commissioner” Experience with Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson in Tallahassee. We will provide a travel stipend for each winner. Timing to be determined.

Additional prizes include:

First Place

$1,500 Scholarship (via Florida Prepaid 529 Savings Plan)

Your essay published in Specialty Crop Grower magazine

In-person recognition at our Florida Farm to School Conference March 2025 (with travel stipend)

Second Place

$1,000 Scholarship

(via Florida Prepaid 529 Savings Plan)

Third Place

$500 Scholarship

(via Florida Prepaid 529 Savings Plan)

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