After a day-long competition Nov. 14, Eric Dalke of Morden, Man., was chosen as the national champion of the 2005 Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
Dalke, 19, who is in his first year of political science studies at Queens University, spoke on, “Do the Demands of a Quality Based Food Market, Limit or Empower Farmers?” He was an active 4-H member for nine years and was involved in the executive of both his 4-H club and high school student council. Following university, Dalke plans to return to the family farm and expand the business.
The first rural youth public speaking competition at the fair was held in 1985 in honour of International Youth Year. Once available primarily to Ontario participants, the competition was formally opened in 1997 to invite participation from across the country. This year’s 21st edition attracted 18 participants representing seven of Canada’s 10 provinces.
