National Ag Day Video Contest

Scholarship Sponsored by Agriculture Council of America (ACA)

Overview The Agriculture Council of America invites high school students nationwide to take part in the National Ag Day Video Essay Contest. The 2026 contest theme is: American Agriculture: Imagining the next 250 years. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, agriculture remains a vital industry. Since the nation’s founding, American farmers and agricultural businesses have supplied food, feed, fuel and fiber to the U.S. and the world. This contest asks students to envision how agriculture will look a quarter-millennium from now: what will change, what will endure, what innovations will emerge, and how will you, your family and your community be connected to agriculture in the decades ahead? Suggested Focus Areas When developing your 2-minute video essay, consider exploring one or more of these perspectives: - Big picture: Picture the world 250 years from now. What role will American agriculture play in helping the country prosper? What long-term evolutions will be necessary to meet future challenges and demands? - Innovation: How will science and technology reshape U.S. agriculture? What advances or gaps should be addressed to strengthen the industry? - Personal connection: How might agriculture affect your community, family or state in the future? Why is agriculture important to America’s future? You are encouraged to support your ideas with factual information. Possible topics include the future impacts of agriculture on society, the environment, technology and the economy; sustainable practices and emerging farming techniques; challenges producers may face; or any related subject. Imagine having a short conversation with a farmer and present your reflections within the 2-minute limit. Keep your message concise, engaging and grounded in evidence. Purpose National Ag Day aims to celebrate agriculture and to help consumers understand how farmers and the businesses that serve them produce abundant, healthy, nutritious and safe food while caring for land and driving innovation for the health of our planet and families. Eligibility - Open to students in grades 9–12 during the 2025–2026 school year. - Entrants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in school within the United States. - Each student may submit only one video essay during the contest period. General Rules and Rights - The 2026 Ag Day Essay Contest accepts VIDEO ENTRIES ONLY. - Videos must be original work produced by the entrant with only limited guidance from adults, teachers or industry professionals. Interviewing farmers or industry experts as research is permitted, but substantive creative input from those individuals is not allowed. - By submitting a video, you grant the Agriculture Council of America the right to use, edit and distribute your entry for promotional and educational purposes. - All entries must arrive at the Agriculture Council of America office by midnight CST on February 6, 2026. Submission Requirements - Topic: Each video must address the contest theme. - Length: Maximum duration is TWO (2) minutes. - File format: .MP4 or .WMV only. - Language: All entries must be in English. - Style: Any visual format is acceptable (e.g., documentary, animation, interview-style) provided the video is well-edited and visually engaging. - Entry form: Every video must be submitted along with a completed entry form in Word or PDF format. - Upload instructions: Submit your video using the FILE TRANSFER page and follow the directions provided there. - Deadline: Entries must be received no later than midnight CST, February 6, 2026. Content Restrictions - Entries must not include sexually explicit material, disparaging or libelous content, offensive language or nudity (as determined solely by the Sponsor). - Submissions must not show dangerous acts (as determined solely by the Sponsor). - All content must respect copyrights and trademarks. Music used must be licensed, credited, or original to the entrant; unlicensed music is prohibited. - Failure to comply with any contest rules may result in disqualification at the ACA’s discretion. Judging A panel composed of representatives from the sponsoring organizations and agricultural industry experts will evaluate the entries. Scoring Criteria - Originality and creativity: 30% - Content relevance and depth: 30% - Presentation and communication skills: 20% - Adherence to the theme: 20% Awards and Notification - First Place: $1,500 - Second Place: $1,000 - Third Place: $500 Winners will be contacted by email in February. Results will be announced publicly and to the media prior to National Ag Day. Non-winning entrants will not receive individual notifications; check agday.org to see the list of winners. Winning videos will be showcased on the Ag Day website, featured during Ag Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., and presented during the Ag Day Virtual Event. Questions For additional information, email jennyp@nama.org with the subject line: RE: 2026 Ag Day Essay Contest.