Pierce High School Junior Sara Marsh won the Student Speak-off Contest on Saturday, November 19, 2015, in Yosemite, California.
Marsh is very involved in her schools agriculture and FFA program.
The CARCD Conservation Education Committee coordinates the event, each year identifying a different topic related to the conservation of agriculture and natural resources. This years topic was: ” How can RCDs become more involved with conservation education?Ā
Each year high school students who are interested in agriculture and resource conservation have the opportunity to prepare a three to five-minute speech for the CARCD Student Speak-Off Contest. Students begin at the local RCD level, advancing from there to the regional and then state contest.
” Saras speech improved each time she presented it, and she added a little bit more material each time.” said Patti Turner, Executive Director of the Colusa County RCD, ” her speech blew the competition away, she was so good.Ā
In her speech, Marsh provided ideas to have RCDs to include verbiage on water bottles informing consumers to use any leftover water in plants, and other uses instead of pouring it down the drain.
” She put a lot of thought and information into her speech,” said Turner, ” she also mentioned that RCDs should better educate the public to debunk myths about agriculture.Ā
Marsh was joined by her Ag Advisor, George Green and her parents, Charles and Lorrain Marsh.
” She was excited after coming so close last year. Colusa County and her region are very proud of her accomplishment,” added Turner.