In the interest of the safety and well-being of Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture (CYSA) participants, family members, and CYSA volunteers, this year’s competition will be held as a virtual video competition. Regrettably, no live CYSA competition will be held at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in 2021.
- CYSA is a national competition, open to all Canadian residents between the ages of 11 and 24 years as of the date of competition. There is both a Junior and a Senior competition. The age limits are as follows:
- Junior: Ages 11 to 15 (as of the date of competition)
Senior: Ages 16 to 24 (as of the date of competition) - Applications for the 2021 virtual video competition can be completed online through the website at cysa-joca.ca or in writing to:
- Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture Inc.
Box 25015, Stone Road Mall, Postal Outlet
370 Stone Road West, Unit 17
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2X0 - This year, the competition will be held virtually on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Applications will be date stamped upon arrival and must be received no later than midnight September 30, 2021. Applications must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Cheques should be made payable to “Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture Inc.” Faxes are accepted, but a cheque, cash, or credit card payment via PayPal must be received before your application will be confirmed.
- There will be no refunds for cancellations after Thursday, October 6, 2021. Contestants are not allowed to ‘transfer’ registrations between competitors if, for whatever reason, they cannot participate in the competition but have already registered. All applications will be confirmed by e-mail and/or telephone after the registration deadline of September 30. After the application deadline (Sept. 30) late applications will be accepted until October 6, 2021 at the additional cost of $40 (Junior: $20 application fee + $40 late fee = $60; Senior: $40 application fee + $40 late fee = $80).
- Any previous first place winners of the Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture competition are not eligible to participate in subsequent CYSA competitions. (Exception: Junior winner can compete in Senior competition.)
- Prior to competition day, proof of age will be required (birth certificate or passport), sent to the CYSA Registrar, Anne McGee.
- Competitors agree to be photographed, video recorded and/or quoted for promotional purposes throughout the current year and succeeding years. They furthermore agree that video submissions will become the property of CYSA Inc.
- The top six video submissions for each category (Junior and Senior) will present live to a panel of judges via Zoom on Saturday, November 6, 2021. You will be notified by email whether you have made it into the top six and you will also receive log-in instructions.
- Speeches may be delivered in either of Canada’s official languages, English or French.
- Each competitor will present a timed 5 to 7 minute prepared speech on a current issue (approved CYSA list of topics for the current year) pertaining to Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industries.
- Competitors will be scored on 120 points: 60 points for presentation and 60 points for content. See the links below for copies of judging scorecards.
- There will be strict enforcement of the 5-7 minute time frame. Competitors will be penalized for being over/under the established time frame. Time deductions are as follows:
Over 7 minutes/under 5 minutes Point Deduction 1 to 10 seconds 2 points 11 to 20 seconds 5 points More than 20 seconds 15 points - The decisions of the judges will be final in all instances. Copies of the official judging scorecards will be destroyed immediately following the competition.
- Cash prizes are as follows:
Senior: 1st 2nd 3rd
$350 $150 $75
Junior: $350 $150 $75 - Should the rules be reproduced by a third party for promotional or other uses, it is to be noted that the rules as defined in the CYSA Inc. Board records for the current year in question will prevail in all and any circumstances.
- Should any issue or concern arise at any time during the competition, the President and the Board Chair will review the matter and their decision will be final in all instances.
Evaluation Criteria
Competitors will be evaluated according to the following score sheets:
