The Alabama Farm-City Committee is excited to announce a new Multimedia Contest for high school students. The contest is sponsored by Alabama Farmers Cooperative and complements the Farm-City Poster and Essay Contest by providing teenagers another channel to express their creativity. We would like to thank the Franklin and Cullman County Farm-City Committees for inspiring the new contest.

The theme for all three youth contests is "Grown Safely. Extra Tasty."

As farmers increase production and improve efficiency to meet the growing demand for food, consumers often are bombarded with questions about the safety of modern farming. Incidences of food-borne illness — while often affecting a relatively small number of people — grab headlines and create panic. Those stories can lead to boycotts of certain products or brands, which drives up prices.

In reality, food-borne illnesses are on the decline. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the occurrence of such cases dropped 23 percent from 1998 to 2010. These facts, however, have done little to stop the onslaught from those who challenge the safety of America's food supply. Catch phrases like "Mad Cow" and "Pink Slime" create misinformation and cause consumers to question not only their food, but the farmers who produce it.

Lost in these reports is the amazing story of how American farmers have improved food safety through animal health programs, the conservative use of crop protection materials, improved field sanitation standards and on-farm refrigeration. Deadly diseases that were common decades ago are virtually non-existent today. An even greater concern for American agriculture, however, is the tendency for activist organizations to criticize farmers for their efforts to control diseases in their livestock and crops.

Our theme of "Grown Safely. Extra Tasty." will give Farm-City committees and students a chance to counter some of the misinformation by showcasing the safety of our food supply and discussing how it impacts the security of our nation. The productivity of American farms allows Americans to be independent and for our citizens to enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle because they don't have to worry about the availability or affordability of food.

For Alabama farmers, food safety is not about feeding the world, nor is it merely a patriotic gesture. For them, it is a way of life. Their families live on the land and are the first to eat the bounty it produces. This makes food safety an intensely personal experience for farmers. They are dedicated to producing healthy, wholesome products for their families and ours -- not just today, but for generations to come.

That is the message we want to convey with "Grown Safely. Extra Tasty."

Eligibility and Rules

Entry is open to 9th through 12th graders. A $300 cash prize will be awarded to the first-place winner at the state level, and his or her school will receive a matching award. The second-place state winner will receive $200, as will his or her school.

The presentation must be created in PowerPoint or Keynote and relate to theme. Video, audio and narration may be included, but all components must be packaged with the presentation so that it may be played on any compatible computer.

The presentation must be submitted on a CD or DVD and must be packaged with all linked media files. The presentation may be exported to a .mov or .wmv format movie.

Each student should complete an application form and submit it with their entry. (Click Here For Information Form)

The PowerPoint presentation should be 3-5 minutes in length. The presentation should not require live narration (by the viewer), and the slides should be set to change automatically.

The presentations will be judged on: content, adherence to topic, accuracy of information, appearance, originality, audience appeal, mechanics, timing, graphics, organization, clarity, flow of material and conclusion.

All entries may be used at the discretion of the Alabama Farm-City Committee without further permission or monetary consideration.

1. Deadline for entry at the state level is March 1, 2013. State winners will be notified by mail no later than April 1. Award winners will be announced at the State Farm-City Awards Luncheon.
2. All entries may be used at the discretion of the AG in the Classroom Steering Committee and the Farm-City Committee of Alabama without further permission or monetary consideration.