2004 4-H BEEKEEPING ESSAY CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT AND RULES
Sponsored Nationally by The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees,
Inc.
Sponsored in Texas by the Williamson County Beekeepers Association
TOPIC:
For the 2004 essay contest, the essay topic is: "SWARMING"
A swarm of honey bees is fascinating - and it can be frightening for non-beekeepers. For the general public, seeing a swarm fill the air, then pitch on a limb - or even a car - is their introduction to the world of honey bees. Every seasoned beekeeper can relate a tale of an unusual swarm. What are the reasons for swarming? What does swarming accomplish for the bees? What is the effect on the beekeeper? One (only one) humorous - or otherwise interesting - swarming incident is a welcome addition to the essay.
SOURCES: Good leads for your research include your school and public libraries, local beekeepers, your county Extension agent, your local or state beekeepers association, the beekeeping professor at your state's agricultural college. The ABF website www.abfnet.org has links to other beekeeping sites. The 2003 winning essays are also published on ABFnet, as are prior years.
The scope of the research is an essential judging criterion, accounting for 40% of your score. The number of sources consulted, the authority of the sources, and the variety of the sources are all evaluated.
Personal interviews with beekeepers and others familiar with bees and beekeeping activities are valued sources of information and should be documented. Sources, which are not cited in the endnotes, should be listed in a "Resources" or "Bibliography" list.
Note that "honey bee" is properly spelled as two words, even though many otherwise authoritative references spell it as one word.
AWARDS:
Cash
Prizes to 3 Top Texas Winners:
1st
Place------------$100.00
2nd
Place------------$ 75.00
3rd
Place------------$ 50.00
Money sponsored in part by the Williamson County Beekeepers Association
Cash
Prizes to 3 Top National Winners:
1st
Place------------ $250.00
2nd
Place----------- $100.00
3rd
Place------------- $50.00
Each state winner, including the national winners, receives an appropriate book about honey bees, beekeeping, or honey.
RULES:
1. Contest is open to active 4-H Club members only. 4-H'ers who have
previously placed first, second, or third at the national level are not eligible; other
state winners are eligible to re-enter.
2. Requirements (failure to meet any one requirement disqualifies the essay) - - Preparation for National Judging: Typewritten or computer-generated, double-spaced, 12-pt. Type or similar type style, on one side of white paper following standard manuscript format.
- Write on the designated subject only.
- All factual statements must be referenced with bibliographical-style endnotes.
- A brief biographical sketch of the essayist, including date of birth, gender, complete mailing address, and telephone number, must accompany the essay.
- Length – the essay proper: 750 to 1000 words.
- The word count does not include the endnotes, the bibliography or references, nor the essayist's biographical sketch.
3. Essays will be judged on (a) scope of research 40%; (b) accuracy - 30%; (c) creativity - 10%; (d) conciseness - 10%; and (e) logical development of the topic - 10%.
4. Essayists should not forward essays directly to the Foundation office. Each state 4-H Office is responsible for selecting the state's winner and should set its deadline so state judging can be completed at the state level in time for the winning state essay to be mailed to the Foundation office before March 1, 2004.
5. Each state may submit only one entry.
6. Final judging and selection of the National Winner will be made by the Foundation's Essay Committee, whose decision is final.
7. The National Winner will be announced by May 1, 2004.
8. All National entries become the property of the Foundation and may be published or used as it sees fit. No essay will be returned.
9. Mail entries postmarked by Saturday, January 31, 2004 to:
Texas 4-H Learning Strategies Office
c/o Toby Lepley
7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 101
College Station, TX 77840
This information is also posted on the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Web site at the Events and Activities page. The link to that site is: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/.