The 2024 Youth Essay Contest is Now Accepting Submissions!

Kaylene Big Knife
Aug 27, 2024
3 min read

Are you passionate about the future of Indian Country and the vital role of agriculture? This year's essay contest invites you to dive into a topic that directly impacts your community.

Write an an essay telling us your thoughts about the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Tribal Advisory Group Committee (TAC). The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 led to the creation of the TAC, a group dedicated to advising the Secretary of Agriculture on matters concerning Tribal and Indian affairs. This committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that the voices of Indian Country are heard at the highest levels, and we want to encourage you to share your voice with the TAC.

The TAC is made up of individuals from Indian Country who are a great resource for you as leaders within your community, and this year’s IAC Essay Contest is aimed at preparing you to carry on your own concerns, suggestions, ideas, and questions to this monumental advisory committee. This essay contest is your opportunity to contribute and tell us, if you were on the TAC, what recommendations would you have for the USDA.

Three finalists will be invited to present their essays as a keynote speaker and honored guests at the IAC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, scheduled for December 10-12, 2024. By participating, you could win a full travel scholarship to attend the 2024 IAC Youth Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Sixty essay contestants & their chaperone will receive a full travel scholarship to attend the IAC Annual Youth Conference!

IMPORTANT DATES

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: October 7, 2024
NOTIFICATIONS: (start) October 15, 2024
YOUTH CONFERENCE: December 10-12, 2024
- Arrival Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
- Departure Date: Friday, December 13, 2024
- Location: Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada

ELIGIBILITY

The 2024 Youth Essay Contest & Conference is open to American Indian and Alaska Native Youth.

You must either be enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe OR a direct descendant of a Federally Recognized Tribe.
You must be a high school student entering grades 9-12 during the 2024-2025 school year.

REQUIREMENTS

Only one essay submission will be accepted per participant.
There should be no identifiable information within the essay itself. (ex. Name, Tribe, etc.)
The essay should be a minimum of 3 full pages and a maximum of 5 full pages (excluding works cited), should be double-spaced with 12-point Arial font, and have 1-inch margins.
The essay should be converted to a .pdf file and uploaded to the application portal.
A blind committee will review eligible essays to select three finalists based on organization of information, spelling and punctuation.
Three finalists will be invited to present their essays as a keynote speaker and honored guests at the IAC Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, scheduled for December 10-12, 2024.
Sixty essay contestants & their chaperone will receive a full travel scholarship to attend the IAC Annual Youth Conference!