Billings, MT--The NILE strives to promote agriculture in various different ways, one being through the youth of today. One of the many youth events held throughout the year, is that of the 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging, and Sales and Service Contest. Youth travel from all over Montana and the surrounding states, making the NILE contests one of the most prestigious titles.

FFA is the intracurricular (meaning classroom based) organization in the United States. 4-H is a huge supplemental education organization out of the classroom. Montana's FFA and 4-H programs are strong and each year hundreds of students enrolled in these programs attend NILE and compete.

The two contests offered at the NILE are the Livestock Judging Contest and the Sales and Service Contest, both held Monday, October 17 beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Entries due Wednesday, October 5. Must be received by 5 p.m. 

The purpose is to provide educational experience and incentive to learn more about meat animal evaluation and pricing. Also, to assist young people in expanding their acquaintances among leaders in the livestock field and improve their communication skills. The purpose of the Agriculture Sales Career Development Event is to provide an individual with the basic skills to take advantage of th e career opportunities offered in the sales field. Sales are an essential part of a market economy. Agricultural products benefit from sales skills, for input for production and the marketing of the products.

Contestants may compete on a 4-H team, FFA team, or as an individual. Teams must be made up of individuals from the same FFA chapters or counties (4-H). FFA contestants must be currently enrolled in high school. The top Senior FFA team is eligible for national judging trip award (National Western Stock Show) if no more than one team member has previously won a national judging trip. In such case, past winner is not eligible to participate in team trip. If two past national trip winners are included on team, team is not eligible for trip award.

SALES AND SERVICE CONTEST

Questions contact info@thenile.org  (406) 256-2495 www.thenile.org