What the K-State Ag Ed Speech Event Is
The K-State Ag Ed Speech Event is an annual agricultural education speaking contest hosted by Kansas State University's College of Agriculture and Department of Agricultural Education, in partnership with Kansas FFA. It aims to build students' leadership and public speaking skills and prepare them for the College of Agriculture. The 2024 contest was run by the K-State Agricultural Education Club.
The next event is Saturday, January 30, 2027 at the K-State Student Union in Manhattan. The 2025 contest on February 1 was the first held in person since the pandemic. The posted listing says to contact K-State Ag Ed for details.
Divisions and Ways to Enter
The most recent published rules, from the 2024 contest (Saturday, February 3, 2024), list these categories and time limits:
| Division | Speech length | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Creed | No time limit | Yes, after the presentation |
| Middle School (grades 6-8) | 2-3 minutes | No |
| Freshmen | 2-4 minutes | No |
| Sophomore | 3-5 minutes | No |
| Junior | 4-6 minutes | No |
| Senior | 6-8 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Extemporaneous | 4-6 minutes | 5 minutes |
A team competition gives chapter team awards on top of the individual divisions.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Entrants must be currently enrolled in high school or middle school agriculture. Middle school students are in 6th, 7th or 8th grade.
- Creed speakers are in their freshman year at a four-year high school, or their sophomore year at a three-year high school.
- Students enter one grade-level division and may also enter Creed or Extemporaneous. They may compete at their grade level or higher, not lower.
- Prepared speech topics must be agricultural and current, such as agriscience and technology, agribusiness, agrimarketing, international agricultural relations and agricultural communications. Leadership topics are not allowed.
- Props, posters and mockups are prohibited and carry a 10 percent score penalty. FFA dress is highly recommended.
- Extemporaneous speakers have 30 minutes to prepare and up to 10 minutes of online research.
- Speakers face deductions for going over or under time.
How the Day Runs
In the 2024 format, first speeches began at 8:30 a.m. Finals begin within 15 minutes after the last room in a division finishes preliminaries. Extemporaneous contestants enter the prep room at 15-minute intervals and select their topics 30 minutes before speaking.
Fees and Deadlines
For 2024 the fee was $10 with a t-shirt or $5 without, non-refundable, paid on the day or by mail to the KSU Agricultural Education Club. Registration was an online form with a priority deadline for shirts on January 5, 2024 and a final deadline of January 17, 2024. Confirm the 2027 fee and deadlines with K-State Ag Ed before registering.
Awards
Top individuals and top schools are announced at the end of the contest. Team awards go to chapters with a full team of two speakers in each of six divisions. Middle School scores are not counted, only preliminary scores count, and the top three team scores are recognized.
Questions
Can a middle schooler enter?
Yes. Middle school students in grades 6-8 have their own division.
Can I enter more than one division?
You choose one grade-level division and may add Creed or Extemporaneous.
Who do I call?
The Kansas FFA Association, 110 Umberger Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506: (785) 532-6424.
Official Links
- K-State Ag Ed Speech Event: 2027 date and venue
- 2024 Ag Ed Club speech contest rules and registration (PDF)
- K-State Hosts Annual Ag Education Speech Day: the 2025 event
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- 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.
- K-State Junior Beef Producer Day
Held each year; the most recent date was March 7, 2026. One-day family program for young cattle exhibitors at the Bilbrey Family Events Center north of the K-State campus in Manhattan.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.