​General Rules

1. The 2023 Ag Day Contest will accept video submissions this year in addition to written essays.  Each student must choose whether to submit a video OR a written essay, but not both.
2. Contestants must write and submit an essay of a specified length OR conceptualize and record an original video with limited guidance from adults, teachers, or agricultural industry professionals. Interviews with industry professionals are acceptable research;  
3. Berks Agricultural Resource (B.A.R.N.) will have the right to post and share any essay or video entered in the contest, along with the creator’s name, without payment to the creator.

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Qualifications and Groupings for Contestants

1. The contest is open to Berks County students in grades 3 through 12 in the 2022-2023 school year. 
2. There will be three age groups.
   1. Elementary - Grades 3 - 5, 
   2. Middle School - Grades 6 - 8, 
   3. High School - Grades 9 - 12
3. Contestants are eligible for only one video entry during any given year.

Ag Video Contest Rules

• The video must effectively answer the question posed to each student’s corresponding grade level.  Use the prompt provided for extra guidance.
• AG DAY VIDEO CONTEST QUESTIONS
• The file format of all uploaded videos must be .MP4 or .WMV. The maximum length of the video is TWO (2) minutes.
• Each entry must be in English.
• To submit the video essay, upload your file to the 2023 Video Essay Submissions Folder
• All video Contestants must submit a corresponding CONTESTANT ENTRY FORM. Entries must be received no later than 8 pm, Friday, March 10, 2023.
• According to the judges, Entries containing inappropriate content will be automatically disqualified.
• Entries must not violate any copyrights or trademarks, including music used in the video. Applicants must have consent and credit the music, or it must be the applicant’s original music.
• Failure to adhere to the rules may result in disqualification at the judges' discretion.

Ag Essay Contest Rules

• The written essay must effectively answer the question posed to each student’s corresponding grade level.  Use the prompt provided for extra guidance.

AG DAY VIDEO CONTEST QUESTIONS

• Each entry must be in English.
• The essay must be submitted on BARN Website’s landing page for the contest: www.berksag.org/2023contest  
• All submissions are due by 8 pm, Friday, March 10, 2023.
• According to the judges, Entries containing inappropriate content will be automatically disqualified.
• Entries must not violate any copyrights or trademarks or contain plagiarism. 
• Failure to adhere to the rules may result in disqualification at the judges' discretion.

Judging

1. Judging will be completed by a panel of qualified judges made up of representatives from the sponsoring organizations and experts from the ag industry.
2. Judges will not discuss or compare essays being judged.
3. Judging of the Video Essay Contest will be based on the following:
   • Logical Interpretation of Subject, Adherence to Topic
   • Originality
   • Innovation and Creativity
   • Visual Esthetics (for Video)

Prizes & Awards

1. Winners will be notified by email.
2. A first-prize winner will be chosen for each grade level and be awarded a prize valued at around $50.
3. Additional prizes may be available to 2nd and 3rd place contestants depending on the number of entries received.
4. Winning essays & videos will be announced through B.A.R.N.’s website and its social media channels (Facebook and Instagram). Winning videos will air on BCTV during National Ag Week, and essays may be announced in the Reading Eagle and possibly local radio stations.

Please contact b.a.r.n.berks@gmail.com with any questions or issues.


Visit berksag.org/2023contest for more information about B.A.R.N.


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