Three Finalists Vie for Top Spot in the 2021 Syngenta #RootedinAg Contest
26 August 2021, USA: Three people are finalists in the 2021 #RootedinAg Contest hosted by Syngenta. Through the annual competition, which started eight years ago, Syngenta invites ag community members to write brief essays about the mentors who played pivotal roles in developing their agricultural passion.
Each finalist receives a mini touch-screen tablet, wireless earphones and is featured in Syngenta Thrive, a news story magazine offered in print and online. Judge scores and online votes determinewhich of the three is the grand prizewinner. The grand prizewinner also receives $500, a $1,000 donation to a charity or civic organization of his or her choice and a professional photo shoot.
The selected finalists offer unique perspectives on their individual ag journeys:
- Craig Converse, a third-generation South Dakota soybean farmer, said he learned everything about agriculture from his father. Now he’s passing down those same lessons to his sons. If selected as the grand prizewinner, Converse will choose Arlington FFA organization to receive a $1,000 donation.
- Natalie Doelman, a sophomore at Purdue University who farms in Washington state, honors her dairy-farming parents who inspired her to be a better version of herself in all aspects of her life. If selected as the #RootedinAg winner, Doelman’s chosen charity is Raise for Rowyn, which provides financial and emotional support to families struggling with the loss of a child.
- Austin Walter, a third-generation farmer and cattle feeder in Grand Ridge, Illinois, returned home after college to farm alongside his mentors: his father and grandfather. He appreciates the chance to raise his kids on the farm the way that he was raised. If he is the #RootedinAg grand prize winner, he will choose the Grand Ridge Junior High FFA program to receive the #RootedinAg donation.
“We are moved by the stories shared by members of our agricultural community,” said Pam Caraway, communications lead at Syngenta. “The grit, determination, heart and passion that make our industry so incredible is fully on display in the #RootedinAg entries. Thank you to everybody who participated. If you didn’t win this year, please participate again next year. The selection margin is as tight as an on-farm profit margin. Congratulations and good luck to our finalists.”
Online voting is now open. Syngenta will announce the grand prizewinner this fall. To read the finalists full stories and vote for your favorite, go to the #RootedinAg Contest page at www.SyngentaThrive.com/contest. Join the conversation online – connect with Syngenta at Syngenta-us.com/social.
