Graduate student video competition 2021
Current graduate students (MSc or PhD candidates) in agriculture are invited to take part in a 3-minute video competition taking place in conjunction with the Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture Conference, March 1-3, 2021.
Show and tell your story! Pitch your research project in a pre-recorded video, telling us about your research and how it can potentially benefit farmers and the sustainability of Canadian agriculture in three minutes! Submissions must fit within the conference theme Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture to qualify.
Video entries will be showcased on the conference website and select entries will be chosen for special showing/Q & A session each day of the conference. Those students whose video will be featured during the conference are required to take part in a live Q & A session following the showings.
Be creative! Cash prizes will be awarded to the videos selected by our judges plus conference attendees will select the winning video for a People’s Choice award!
Congratulations to our contest winners!
Recipients of the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment award:
- Chris Manchur
- David MacTaggart
- Patrick Le Heiget
Recipient of the People's Choice award:
- Chris Manchur
Award Winners
Chris Manchur, Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba
A new generation of crop protection: Developing species-specific and environmentally friendly ways to control plant pathogens
David MacTaggart, Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan
Accelerating the breeding of cicer milkvetch and meadow bromegrass for stockpile grazing
Patrick Le Heiget, Plant Science, University of Manitoba
System impacts resulting from the integration of dual-purpose perennial grain crops in modern agricultural production on the prairies
Contest Videos
Curtis Cavers, Soil Science, University of Manitoba
Landscape restoration of eroded hilltops: Ridiculous or revolutionary?
Irfan Mushtaq, Boreal Ecosystem and Agriculture, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer stabilizers and cropping system on soil microbial diversity, abundance, and activity of microbes in a boreal climate
Ibrahim Gonzalez, Animal Production, University of the Republic, Uruguay
Native Prairie improvements potential in the global GHG emission mitigation of beef cattle production systems
Gazali Issah, Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan
Lowering GHG footprint: Alfalfa vs cicer milkvetch and sainfoin
Sydney Fortier, Animal Science, University of Manitoba
The environmental impacts of beef raised with and without productivity enhancing technologies (PETs)
Sristi Mundhada, Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba
Safe storage guidelines for flaxseed
Peter-Haoxiang Xu, Animal Science University of Manitoba
Probiotics can make a huge difference in agriculture
Muhammad Mashaallah Farhain, Boreal Ecosystem and Agriculture, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Potential of developing soil based potting media from wood ash, paper sludge (wastes from paper mill) and biochar: An environment sustainable approach
Important Dates
February 5 | Video contest opens! |
February 12 | Last date (6:30 pm CT) to submit entry forms indicating your intention to submit a 3-minute video. Early submissions are strongly encouraged as students whose entry forms are accepted will be provided with contest details and video criteria upon acceptance. |
February 25 |
Deadline (6:30 pm CT) for submitting video entries for the conference and contest (extended) |
February 26 | Select entrants notified of their showing/live Q & A date. To take part in the contest, students are required to take part in the Q & A period during their assigned session on either March 1, 2, or 3. |
March 1, 2, 3 | Student video competition and discussion session (1:30 - 2:00 pm daily) |
Contest Rules (click to view)
- Video entries must be submitted no later than 6:30 p.m. CT February
2225 to qualify (deadline extended). Video format as either .mp4 or .mov is acceptable. Submit to https://www.dropbox.com/request/IhbxKrlFEnRoJhrkqlfO - All entries must be accompanied by a signed UM photo/video waiver photovideo_consent_and_waiver_-_fillable_form.pdf (umanitoba.ca) completed by everyone who appears in the video.
- Submissions must fit within the conference theme Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture to qualify and must include how your research can potentially benefit farmers and the sustainability of Canadian agriculture.
- Maximum video length is 3 minutes (2.5 minutes minimum).
- The graduate student must appear in at least 2 minutes of the video and must introduce themselves at the beginning of the video (name, program, degree being sought and University).
- Videos must be based on research conducted by the graduate student that is part of their graduate program thesis.
- Research results are nice, but are not required.
- No text-based visuals (e.g. powerpoint slides) although slides can be used to convey a graphic, such as a map, pie chart, bar graph, etc.
- No written notes or cue-cards can be visible on the video.
- Other people are permitted in the video, providing they are relevant to the story. Please ensure they are aware the recording will be publicly posted by having them complete the /photo video consent form.
- Images, photos, diagrams or other visuals used in the video that are not created by the graduate student must be properly credited and permission obtained prior to use (if in doubt, contact the UM Copyright Office).
- For videos selected to be shown during the conference, entrants are required to take part in the live Q & A session about their research in their assigned slot (either March 1, 2 or 3, 1:30-2:00 CT).
- For any interactions with additional people (video guests, recorder, etc.), adhere to social distancing recommendations/requirements for your area.
Contest Tips (click to view)
Before you record:
- Tailor your video for a general audience – avoid using technical language or abbreviations/acronyms, and assume your audience is new to your topic.
- Use active language and keep it simple by being succinct, and using shorter words/ sentences that convey clear messages.
- Be sure your story has a beginning, middle and end. As a starting point, outline the key messages of your video, sketch content for each message, then flesh out in more detail.
- Crystallize your story hook to connect with your audience - the "so what, who cares" of your story (the 5 W’s of who, what where, when, and how). Give real-world context as to why is your research needed.
- Prepare a script and storyboard – identify the materials/resources/people/places you want to feature in your video ahead of time and plan how your narrative fits within these scenes.
- Practice your script (out loud!) and storyboard logistics before recording.
During and post recording:
- Use your favourite recording device (your phone?!) and editing app(s).
- Be aware of background noise or other interference whilst filming or recording that may reduce the quality of your video.
- Show yourself! Put yourself front and centre – this is your research and viewers want to both see and hear you…plus it is in the rules. Consider recruiting a friend or family member to (safely!) help with shooting the video so that you are free to be in the video.
- Connect with your audience – be personable, relatable, genuine, maintain eye contact. For example, share something about yourself as part of your narrative.
- Show and tell! Mix it up to keep it interesting – show still images, graphics, pictures, etc., vary your video location, voiceover background video, feature a guest or two, etc.
- Prepare your video in chunks to test what works and use editing to bring it all together.
- Watch your video with a critical eye then edit, removing any ums or ahs.
- Ask a few trusted people to review and provide constructive feedback then edit/re-record as needed.
Prizes (click to view)
Prizes:
- Cash prizes of $200 each will be awarded to the top videos, as selected by our panel of judges.
- Conference attendees will vote on the recipient of the People’s Choice prize of $100.
- All prizes will be announced at the end of the conference. All decisions are final.