Whoa! We'll be taking entries soon.
IFA has been helping grow the things we all love in the intermountain west for more than 100 years. With that century of growing comes farm tales, ranch tales and even tall tales that deserve to be told.
Starting January 1 through January 31 IFA will be accepting entries in our third annual Cowboy Poetry Search. What kind of stories are we looking for? Any that relate to agriculture! Your poems can be based on your own experiences, the experiences of your family or simply represent some part of agricultural life.
Your cowboy poetry and stories deserve to be shared so why not enter AND give yourself the chance to win IFA gift cards?
Win up to $500 in IFA Gift Cards!
If you have a pen and paper this is an opportunity for you! Overall winners will be selected in three age divisions to receive IFA gift cards and even have their poem published on our website.
Divisions:
Winners selected within three age divisions:
Youth (K-8th Grade)
Intermediate (9th-12th Grade)
Senior (Age 18+)
Overall Division Winners:
One overall winner will be selected for each age division. Winners will be notified via email and may be asked to present their poems live at upcoming IFA and FFA events. Overall prizes include:
Senior Division Winner: $500 IFA Gift Card
Intermediate Division Winner: $250 IFA Gift Card
Youth Division Winner: $250 IFA Gift Card
How to Enter
Ag and cowboy stories are all around. If you have a pen, paper and an internet device you have everything you need to participate.
Write
Got a great idea? Put it down on paper. All entries must be the entrant’s original content so start writing your best poems and stories. Submit a written or typed copy of your poem(s) for entry. HANDWRITTEN ENTRIES MUST BE LEGIBLE.
Record
Part of great cowboy poetry lies in presentation. A recording of yourself delivering your poem is not necessary for entry. However, additional points will be awarded for entries that include a video presentation of the poem(s).
Submit
Once your poem(s) is written (required) and recorded (optional), submit as many as you like by filling out the entry form on our website.
How to Submit:
1. Upload digital versions of your poem. You may either take a picture of your hand-written piece or download the digital version and save it as a jpg or PDF file.
2. Fill out the required contact and consent information. A parent or guardian must confirm their consent if you are under 18.
3. Optional: Upload video recordings to YouTube and include a viewable link on the entry form. *Please note that your video and Youtube page must be public for consideration.
Entry Selection
Winning entries will be selected internally by a panel of qualified IFA judges. Points will be awarded for written submissions with additional points awarded for video submissions. Entries will be judged on:
Content
The most points will be awarded in this category. Content will be judged for the quality of the story. What is your story about? Is your message conveyed clearly and in a meaningful way? Funny, serious or satirical it doesn’t matter. We are just looking for content that depicts the agricultural lifestyle.
Creativity
Like content, creativity will account for a large proportion of an entry’s score. Think of out-of-the-box ways to tell your story but make sure it is something that others will connect with.
Flow
Cowboy poetry is about rhythm. Rhyming scheme or no rhyming scheme, make sure your poem flows just the way you want it to.
*Optional: Video Presentation
Entries submitted with a video recording of the poem may be awarded additional points. Video quality and presentation will be considered. Keep in mind that cowboy poems/stories are about a lifestyle so backgrounds and even appearance can help convey your message.
Mark your calendar and sign up to receive email alerts when the contest is officially underway. Don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates and information regarding the IFA Cowboy Poetry Contest.
Good luck! We hope that you have fun sharing your poems and stories about agricultural life.
Sign-up to Receive IFA Contest Emails
2024 Cowboy Poetry Roundup Winner
Adult Division
1st Overall: Dakota H.
"Swishing Tails"
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