Youth Agriculture Speaking Championships

Youth Agriculture Speaking Championships presented by BURNCO is an exciting opportunity for youth who are passionate about public speaking and agriculture with over $15,000 in prizes and awards! Winners also receive a travel credit to compete at the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture Finals in Toronto in November.

New for 2026 is a brand new preliminary location in Athabasca, Alberta, to increase our reach to youth in Northern Alberta. The youth speaking competition is a partnership between the Calgary Stampede (Calgary Prelim), the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture (Olds Prelim), and the Alberta Association of Agriculture Societies (Athabasca Prelim).

Contestants have the opportunity to speak 5-7 minutes on one of five agriculture-related topics, which are chosen annually. Youth participants are NOT required to have an agriculture background, rather only a desire to learn and speak about one of the topics related to agriculture, Agri-tech, or Agri-Food. [The topics listed below under the Entry Details tab.]

The competition is open to youth ages 11-24 years old. Youth who are 11-15 years old are in the Junior Division; and youth who are 16-24 years are in the Senior Division (Age and category is determined by exhibitor's age as of November 7, 2026.)

The Preliminary competitions will be held at Athabasca University on Saturday, June 27, Old College on Friday, July 10, and at Stampede Park on Friday, July 10.

The top four participants from each division (Junior and Senior) at each preliminary will advance to the Finals at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday, July 11, 2026.

After reviewing all the information under Qualifiers, Entry Details, Entry Rules, Rules, and Awards below, if you have any further questions, please contact agriculture@calgarystampede.com