How does Florida’s Right to Farm Act help farmers and ranchers when their rights are challenged? Ask a WSCD Youth Leadership Student

You can probably ask any Walton County Youth Leadership student the question, “How does Florida’s Right to Farm Act help farmers when their rights are challenged,” and receive an educated answer.  That’s because this is the topic for the annual state-wide speech contest sponsored by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Leadership Program. This is the second year the Walton County School District Youth Leadership students have taken part in the competition which requires participants to write and orally present a five minute speech on a proposed topic.

Each of the participating schools, Freeport, South Walton, and Walton High School, conducted individual competitions to select three students to represent their school in the county competition that was held on Wednesday, September 1st.  MacKenzie Brundage, a 10^th grader at SWHS, was awarded first place and a $100 check.  She will represent Walton County at the district competition on Wednesday, September 16^th at the Washington County Farm Bureau office.  Spencer Knox, a 12th grade student at FHS, won 2^nd place along with $75.  Tori Manning, a 10^th grade student at WHS, was awarded 3^rd place and a $50 check. A big congratulations is warranted for all of the participating students at the classroom and county level for their participation.  Allen Scheffer, the District Field Supervisor for the Florida Farm Bureau’s Norther Region, was quoted as saying, “The nine students researched and spoke on a topic out of their comfort zone and did an outstanding job!  On behalf of the Walton County Farm Bureau and Florida Farm Bureau, I would like to thank the teachers and administration for making this a great program and look forward to continued partnership.”

School Representatives pictured left to right:  Maia Billman, SWHS; Matt Garrett, SWHS; Kerrigan Herret, FHS; Kaylyn Rhodes, FHS; Spencer Knox, FHS; Tori Manning, WHS; MacKenzie Brundage, SWHS; Tanner Abbott, WHS; Kelcie Miller, WHS.

Bay Elementary's staff kicked-off the school year by wearing their Alma Mater colors. Alums from FSU, Florida, Auburn, Alabama, the University of Montevallo, Ole Miss, Kennesaw State, Troy University, University of Georgia, University of Ohio in Dayton, Oregon, University of West Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Tampa, University of Central Arkansas and more ... What an impressive staff!