Open to ALL youth ages 13-20
Purpose
The Florida Beef Ambassador Program provides an opportunity for youth to become spokespersons and future leaders for the beef industry. The goal is to provide consumers with information about beef’s nutrition, safety and convenience to consumers. And to provide producers with industry information, including facts about the beef check-off program.

Sponsors
Sponsors Florida Cattlewomen INC, Florida Cattlemen's Association, and the Florida Beef Council.

Statement of Requirements

The title Florida Beef Ambassador will refer to the senior state winner at the Florida Beef Ambassador Competition as determined by the judge’s scores.

The Florida Beef Ambassador will be the official youth representatives of the Florida Cattlewomen, Inc. (FCW) and the Florida beef industry. The term of the Florida Beef Ambassador will begin in June at the state convention and conclude the next June at the state convention. Appearances by the Florida Beef Ambassador will be required at the Florida Cattlemen’s Association Executive Committee and Quarterly Meetings, various county cattlemen’s association meetings, and non-agricultural groups. The Florida Beef Ambassador will be required to submit an article to the Florida Cattlemen and Livestock Journal each month and an activity report form for each event that they participate. The Florida Beef Ambassador is required to participate in the National Beef Ambassador Program Competition. The Florida Beef Ambassador is expected to be available for assigned events and speaking engagements, to conduct themselves in a professional, mature manner and to represent FCW, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Florida Beef Council and the beef industry in a positive light. An ambassador can be removed from the position at any time as determined necessary by the Florida Cattlewomen’s Association.

Awards
Junior Awards District Winner
District Contests will be held in conjunction with Senior District Contests prior to May 1, 2008. The dates will be sent to 4-H Agents/Program Assistants, FFA Advisors, University students, and all others interested in participating.

Will receive $75 cash.

Will receive breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at the convention and will be recognized at both.

Lodging for the State Contest will be the responsibility of the contestant. Contestant must be accompanied by an adult and attend all Senior Beef Ambassador Program functions.

State Winner

The State Contest will be held in conjunction with the Florida Cattlemen’s and Florida CattleWomen’s Convention in Marco Island, Florida June 17-19, 2008.

The First Runner-Up will receive $75 in cash.

The State Winner will receive $100 in cash.

Senior Awards District Winners

District Contests will be held in conjunction with Junior District Contests prior to May 1, 2008. The dates will be sent to 4-H Agents/Program Assistants, FFA Advisors, and all students interested in participating.

Will receive $100 cash and the potential to earn a $500 scholarship.

Will receive a one-night stay at Marco Island Marriott Hotel on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Additional lodging will be the responsibility of the contestant.

Will receive breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at the convention and will be recognized at both.

State Winners

The State Contest will be held in conjunction with the Florida Cattlemen’s and Florida CattleWomen’s Convention in Marco Island, Florida June 17-19, 2008.

The First Runner-Up will receive $150 in cash and the potential to earn a $500 scholarship.

The State Winner will receive $250 in cash and the potential to earn a $1,000 scholarship, plus an all expense paid trip to the National Contest.

Eligibility and Prerequisite for Entry in the State Competition

1.) Each District is eligible to enter one (1) junior contestant and one (1) senior contestant.*

2.) Junior contestant must be 13 but not over 16 by January 1, 2008. The Senior contestant must be 17 but not over 20 by January 1, 2008.

3.) Contestants are required to give their presentation at least 3 times prior to the state competition to non-agricultural related audiences. Examples include: school groups, Women’s Club, etc.

4.) Appropriate state contestant entry must be submitted by May 1, 2008.

5.) Junior contestants may win junior state competition only one time. Senior contestants may win senior state competition only one time.

6.) Contestants must be accompanied by an adult to District, State, and National (seniors only) contests.

7.) The contestant must be single, cannot be or become married or a parent.

* In the event no entries are received in a given district, the district with the highest number of entries will select a 2nd place winner that may participate in the state contest. Unrepresented districts will be filled by districts in this manner in the order of highest number of entered individuals.

If more than one district has an equal number of “highest number of entries,” then the second place individual to fill the unrepresented district’s place will be selected from the district that is closest, geographically, to the unrepresented district.

Three Areas of Evaluation in the Competition

1.) Presentation of a speech regarding beef nutrition or production. NO policy or lobbying presentations are allowed.

2.) Questions derived from the speech or the information packet provided by the American National CattleWomen asked by the judges after the presentation.

3.) An interview conducted by a panel of judges to determine one on one communication strengths and weaknesses.

THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES IS FINAL.

The Presentation

1.) Must be factual - based on information provided in the packet from the American National Cattlewomen and/or through personal research.

2.) All information must be referenced to the judges at the conclusion of the presentation or in written form.

3.) Speech should have a theme that is addressed throughout the entire presentation.

4.) After the presentation, judges will ask questions of the senior contestants only based on his/her presentation. Two to three minutes will be allowed for questions. Contestant answers to judges’ questions will be evaluated in two areas: information given; and the poise of the contestant in answering questions.

5.) For juniors, if the presentation is less than three minutes or exceeds five minutes in length, final standing in the competition will be affected. For seniors, if the presentation is less than five minutes or exceeds eight minutes in length for seniors, final standing in the competition will be affected.

6.) No visual aids of any kind will be permitted. This includes but is not limited to: PowerPoint, table-top displays, other props, costumes, or videos. NO note cards.

7.) Contestants are encouraged not to identify themselves by name or county, either on their person or in their presentations. However, this will not disqualify them.

8.) One hour prior to contest time, contestants will be in the competition holding room and are not allowed outside contact with family members, chaperone or companion. In an emergency, a holding room staff member will be there to assist.

9.) After their speech and interview, contestants are free for the remainder of the judging period. Understand, contestants are encouraged not discuss the judges’ questions with others.

Presentation Evaluation = 100 points

The presentation will be evaluated as follows:

Content:

Introduction Sparks interest, establishes importance, and outlines overall theme or focus.

General Information Conveys an important message about today’s beef industry in compliance with the beef checkoff guidelines. Is accurate complete, and up-to-date and does not contain policy issues. Follows logical order.

Summary of The audience is left with a clear understanding of

Main Points important concepts. Theme is carried throughout the entire speech. References are cited. Responses to judges’ questions are appropriate and done with poise.

Presenter:

Appearance Business professional dress is required; skirt length must be to the knee or below.

Delivery Strong voice projection; speaks with ease and confidence; avoids clichés; and maintains rapport with the audience.

Time All junior speeches must be at least three minutes in length not to exceed five minutes. All senior speeches must be at least five minutes in length not to exceed eight minutes; this does not include the judges' questions at the end of the presentation.

Interview Evaluation = 100 points

Depth Answers are well thought out and show knowledge of the subject.

Impromptu Ability to think quickly and carry on a conversation with knowledge and confidence.

Composure Calm, not nervous or shy.

Honesty Show integrity and straight forwardness in answers.

Manners Courteous to others and responsive to questions.

Confidence Show confidence in answers and self without being flippant, arrogant, or conceited.

Humor Ability to make the conversation interesting and appealing.

Appearance Business professional dress is required; skirt length must be to the knee or below.

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