CAO is designed to help college students with a passion for agriculture become confident, positive and proactive communicators while competing for scholarship funds. Competitors can register for the individual and/or student organization divisions by visiting their site.
Since its inception in 2009, more than 4,000 students have competed in the program, and the Alliance has awarded more than $45,000 in scholarships to individuals and agricultural organizations. Learn more about CAO by watching this brief video.
During the program, students will receive instructions and resources to help them complete their weekly assignments - Aggies Homework - which will include writing blog posts, creating an infographics and other social media content, creating presentations, attending webinars hosted by industry experts and more. Participants earn points for completing assignments and by posting their content promoting and explaining agriculture on social media.
Student organizations (clubs or classes) can also participate as a group and complete club challenges. These challenges include events meant to engage non-ag students or the public and include activities like holding an "Ag Day" on campus, teaching at local elementary schools, handing out candy wrapped with meat myths and facts, hosting movie nights and many more. The clubs receive points for each challenge they complete.
The final points from the weekly challenges will be tallied in early December 2016 and the following prizes will be awarded in both the individual and student organization division:
o First: $2,500 scholarship and a trip to the Alliance's Stakeholders Summit
o Second: $1,000 scholarship
o Third: $500 scholarship
In addition to the overall awards, several mini-prizes will be up for grabs throughout the competition.
To learn more about the competition and how to sign up, please visit the Alliance website.