2025 High School Speak-Off Competition
What is the Annual Speak-Off Competition?
Each year, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) hosts their Annual Speak-Off Competition. High school students (Grades 9-12) compete to show off their public speaking skills and knowledge of resource conservation. The competition allows students to present their ideas on topics related to the environment, natural resources, and agriculture in a three-to-five-minute speech.
2025 Speak-Off Topic
This year’s topic is “How can you turn your talents and interests into a career in the resource conservation field?”
Yolo County RCD’s Speak-Off Competition
The first round of competition is at a district level where students compete at their local Resource Conservation District (RCD). For Yolo County high school students, the district competition will be hosted at Yolo County RCD’s October 2025 Board of Directors Meeting (typically the third Thursday of every month – October 16th) at the Center for Land-Based Learnign (40140 Best Ranch Rd, Woodland, CA 95776). Winners for the district level competition will receive cash prizes of $150 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place.
Regional and Statewide Competitions
The first place winner of the Yolo County District Speak Off Competition will advance to the regional competition hosted at a meeting of the Sacramento Valley Region of RCDs (October 30, 2025, location TBD). A regional representative will then advance to the statewide competition at the California Association of RCD’s Statewide Conference (November 18-20, 2025). Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three statewide Speak-Off competitors: $1000 for first place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. To learn more about competition rules, visit the link below.
This is a great opportunity for high school students to make their voices heard as the next generation of natural resource management professionals! To get involved in the Yolo County District competition, students should fill out the Speak-Off Competition application (linked below) and send it to Alli Permann, RCD Outreach Coordinator, at permann@yolorcd.org or call the RCD office at (530) 661-1688.
Resources and Rules
