Youth speaking competition explores issues facing agriculture

Jun 17, 2022

Each year Alberta youth have a unique opportunity to explore some of the big issues facing food and agriculture while polishing their public speaking skills.

The Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture speaking competition is open to young Albertans who are passionate about the agriculture industry and want to hone their speaking skills. Held annually in conjunction with the Calgary Stampede, the competition is open to youth ages 11 to 24.

“The competition provides participants the opportunity to grow confidence in public speaking as well as opportunity to win a cash prize for their efforts,” explained Craig Lester, Alberta Young Speakers in Agriculture president. “In addition, the opportunity to connect with other youth and industry leaders in agriculture provides a unique opportunity for Albertan youth.”

Participants speak for five to seven minutes on one of seven pre-selected topics. There are two age categories: junior – for youth 11 to 15 and senior – for youth 16 to 24.

Click here to see more...

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.