Cash prizes are awarded to the 3 Top State Winners:
1st place- $100
2nd place- $50
3rd place- $25
The state winner will be forwarded onto the National competition and could win additional cash prizes.
The 2015 essay contest topic is:
“Planting for Bees from Backyards and Up”
Beekeeping has become difficult due to a lack of native plants for forage. In this essay, you will be required to discuss ways that habitats can be modified to become “bee friendly”. Does your community allow roadsides and open land to grow wildflowers and encourage native planting of bee friendly plants?
Survey your community to see what is being done to help honeybees. Include your state in our survey to see if there is a wildflower planting program available or any other program that could aid the honey bee.
The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting for 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources, and the variety of the sources are all evaluated.
Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with the subject are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources, which are not cited in the endnotes, should be listed in a “Resources” or “Bibliography” list.
Note that “honey bee” is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.
Rules:
- Contest is open to active 4-H Club members only. 4-H’ers who have previously placed first, second or third at the national level are not eligible; other state winners are eligible to re-enter.
- Requirements (failure to meet any one requirement disqualifies the essay) –
- Preparation for National Judging: ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS ONLY, double spaced, 12-pt. Times or similar type style, following standard manuscript format. Submit as a Microsoft Word compatible document.
- Write on the designated subject only.
- All factual statements must be referenced with bibliographical-style endnotes.
- A brief biographical sketch of the essayist, including date of birth, gender, complete mailing address, and telephone number, must accompany the essay.
- Length – the essay proper: 750-1000 words.
- The word count does not include the endnotes, the bibliography or references, nor the essayist’s biographical sketch – which should be on a separate page.
- Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research – 40%; (b) accuracy – 30%; (c) creativity – 10%; (d) conciseness – 10%; and (e) logical development of the topic – 10%.
- Essayists should forward essays to the state judging team postmarked by February 9, 2015. The winner of the state contest will be forwarded to the national competition before March 1.
- The state winner will be announced on March 1, 2015 and the National Winner will be announced by May 1, 2015.
- All National entries become the property of the Foundation and may be published or used as it sees fit. No essay will be returned. The National winners’ essay will appear in an issue of the American Beekeeping Federation’s Newsletter.
- Email state entries by the deadline (Feb. 9, 2015) to:
In the subject line: VA. 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest
All entries received will be promptly acknowledged; if you have not received an acknowledgment after 3 business days, please resubmit.
