What Extemporaneous Public Speaking Is
Extemporaneous Public Speaking is the Kansas FFA event where a member has 30 minutes to draw a topic, prepare and then deliver a short speech with almost no warning. Finalists speak on assigned agricultural topics and then answer questions from a questioner in the room. The event tests how well a member can think on their feet, organize ideas, and speak persuasively about agriculture. It is held during the State FFA Convention in Manhattan, and the finals are open to the public. The Kansas FFA Association runs it.
The most recent finals were Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in Wildcat Chambers in the K-State Student Union. The 99th convention is June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Preliminaries. In 2026, Wednesday, May 27 at 8:00 a.m. in K-State Business Building classrooms.
- Semi-finals. Wednesday, May 27 at 10:30 a.m. in the Business Building.
- Finals. Thursday, May 28 at 11:00 a.m. on the stage in Wildcat Chambers.
- Recognition. Winners are announced on stage at a convention session.
Under the Kansas guidelines, the event has three rounds (preliminaries, semi-finals and finals), and rankings are given only for the final four speakers. Comment cards go out after the top four are announced.
Preparation and Speaking Rules
- Topics: There are 18 topics, three in each of six categories: agricultural literacy and advocacy; current agricultural issues; advancing agriculture through science; current technology uses and applications; agrimarketing and international agriculture; and food and fiber systems. Each speaker draws three at random, chooses one, and returns all three to the pool.
- Preparation: Each speaker gets exactly 30 minutes in a prep room, entering at 15-minute intervals. Up to 10 minutes of online research is allowed on provided computers.
- References: Reference material is limited to five items. Notes must be written during the prep period on the note cards provided; prepared notes or speeches can lead to disqualification.
- Speech length: 4 to 6 minutes. Judges deduct one point per second over 6 minutes or under 4 minutes.
- Questions: A questioner asks questions that relate directly to the speech for five minutes.
- Dress: Official FFA dress is highly recommended.
Who Can Enter
Under the Kansas guidelines, entrants must be currently enrolled in high school agricultural education, must not have previously placed first in state competition, and each district may send up to five participants.
Judging and Awards
At least three impartial judges score independently, and at least one must have an agricultural background. Judges rank the speakers, ranks are summed, and the lowest total wins. Ties are broken by the greatest number of low ranks, then the superintendent's ranking of question responses, then the highest total raw points. Awards for the final four are presented on stage during a convention session:
| Place | Award |
|---|---|
| 1st | $100, plaque and gold medal |
| 2nd | $50, plaque and gold medal |
| 3rd | $25, plaque and gold medal |
| 4th | $25, plaque and gold medal |
The 2026 state champion was Taylor Gudde of Labette County FFA.
Questions
Can I bring prepared notes?
No. Notes are written during the 30-minute prep period on the cards provided, and prepared notes or speeches are grounds for disqualification.
Can the public watch?
Yes. The finals are open to general attendance.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424.
Official Links
- Kansas Extemporaneous Speaking guidelines (PDF)
- 98th convention schedule
- 2026 competitive event winners
- 2026 tentative schedule (PDF)
- 2027 state events
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event
Public speaking event for Kansas FFA students on January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan, hosted with K-State Agricultural Education.
- K-State Career Development Events (Kansas FFA State CDEs)
Kansas FFA state Career Development Events are scheduled for May 2-4, 2027 in Manhattan. Chapters compete in judging, evaluation and skills contests; the 2026 round was held May 3-5.
- Kansas FFA State Convention
The 99th Kansas FFA Convention is set for June 1-4, 2027 in Manhattan. The 2026 convention ran May 26-29 at McCain Auditorium with a theme of Cultivate. Grow Leaders. Lead Change.
- Kansas Livestock Association Convention and Trade Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were November 19-21, 2025. Cattlemen gather for the banquet and live auction, Beef Industry University, committee meetings and the membership breakfast with policy votes.
- Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Held each year; the most recent dates were December 6-8, 2025 for the 107th meeting. Workshops, a tradeshow, awards banquet and a delegate vote on 2026 policy, with a keynote from the American Farm Bureau president.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.