Turner Valley gains a national champion.

Local rancher and former 4H'er Emily Ritchie packed up her cattle and agriculture knowledge and brought a bit of Alberta out East.

Ritchie grew up in the 4H community  where public speaking was a year-round event, and she was able to polish up her skills.

Earlier this year a friend of Ritchie's shared the Alberta Young Speakers for Agriculture speech competition on Facebook, and Emily says it was right up her alley.


"Well I grew up in the 4-H program, so it was always something that was basically a part of my yearly life. Every year I would participate in speech competitions, but this particular competition was actually shared to me on Facebook by a friend of mine." Ritchie says "It peaked my interest so I thought I would register and see how it went, and it went really well!"

Ritchie won that provincial competition this summer, and took home a $1000.00 pay cheque and a chance to compete at the National tournament - The Canadian Young Speakers for Agriculture Competition, at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

The subject that won the Turner Valley resident her provincial title was youth in agriculture. It touched on the technology, pride and excitement they have for their industry.

"We're all still gaining a lot of energy and excitement about the industry." Ritchie says "We're very passionate about what we do, and I think that a lot of young farmers and ranchers like to make that  quite clear in their participation in a lot of different programs and social media."

Ritchie says the national competition was a tough crowd but she is proud of where she placed, and happy with her work.

"The competition was really tough, it was honestly the best speakers in the country.  I ended up actually making the top six so I was awarded as a finalist but I wasn't quite able to crack that top three. To tell you the truth, the judges deliberated for over a half hour on the top three, so I was just happy to be in the top six."

Ritchie is currently the Canadian Cattleman's Association, Youth Leadership Coordinator and is taking the leadership she learned through the 4H program, to the next generation with a message for the youth.

"Ask questions, be interested and be engaged in your industry.  The best way to learn about ranching, farming or agriculture in general is to learn from people who have been in your shoes." Ritchie says she thinks "Mentor-ship is the best way to learn."

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