Young local wins agricultural speech competition

Sabrina Kooistra
Times Junior Reporter

 

This November, young local Aleri Swalwell is set to vie for a prestigious placing in the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture (CYSA) competition in Toronto after winning first place in Alberta’s junior division.
Swalwell entered the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture public speaking event at the Calgary Stampede on July 13, winning first place.
The contest in Alberta is open to anyone between the ages of 11 and 24, and allows for each prepared speech to be between five and seven minutes long.
Swalwell lives on an acreage near Gleichen, which she felt had helped her to understand and relate to the effects of Bill 6. Living in the country has also given Swalwell the opportunity to raise sheep and chickens, and be a member of the cross-Canada agriculture program 4-H, which helped to season her in public speaking and gave her the information to register.
“Since I am growing up in rural [Alberta], my life is surrounded by and affected by farm issues, so it is natural to me,” Swalwell said.
For her success, Swalwell received a cheque for $500 and has the opportunity to do so again if she attains the same placing in Toronto, a competition which is part of the Royal Winter Agricultural Festival.
Of the topics, which included, “How would you explain a GMO to a non-farmer?” and “Old MacDonald had a farm … But what about Mrs. MacDonald?”, Aleri selected, “How can we improve the media’s perception of Canadian agriculture?”
“I talked about how much media has changed in the last few years and encouraged farmers to take advantage of the new forms of media to dispel misinformation and myths about agriculture,” Swalwell said.
As for going to Toronto to participate in the CYSA along with young farm enthusiasts from across the country, Swalwell said she is excited to compete again and for the prospect of more prize money.
“It is great that [Alberta] has started these events because so many people in Canada are not connected with agriculture and every opportunity to speak about farming helps a bit,” she said.