Forest Products Week Essay Contest

In North Carolina, the forest products industry plants more than 60 million trees each year. Those trees are then turned into more than 5,000 wood and paper products that we use and enjoy each day—everything from baby food and ice cream, to rayon and paint, to toothpaste, cosmetics, medicine, and household cleaners.

In 1960, Congress passed a resolution to establish a Forest Products Week each year in October. The purpose of this is to “focus attention on the importance of our forests and forest products to the nation’s economy and welfare.” Each year since, the sitting President of the United States has issued a proclamation designating the week.

To celebrate Forest Products Week in 2022, the NCFA, along with its sponsors, host a statewide essay contest to help students draw the connection between our forests and our everyday products.

Writing Prompts and Essay Length Guidelines

Due Date

Essays will be due on the last day of National Forest Products Week (October 21, 2022). Essays must be postmarked or received by 5:00pm on Friday, October 21, 2022.

The NCFA will notify students and teachers of winning essays by Friday, December 9, 2022.

Teacher Requirements

For teachers that are using the essay contest as a class assignment, you are required to prescreen essays and select up to five essays per class. If teachers lead multiple sections of a course, you can send the five essays per class section. Please do not send a classroom set of essays.

Submitting your Essay

Options for submission include email or mail. See below for further details.

Email

• Email essays as a (.doc, .docx, PDF) attachment to Jessica Ireland
• Include “2022 Forest Products Week Essay Contest” as the subject
• DO NOT SEND: Images (.jpg or .png) or Google Docs links - *if you or your students are using Google Docs, please convert the document to a PDF or .docx file by selecting File->Download-> then selecting PDF or .docx.* Example here.

Mail

• Mail to 1600 Glenwood Avenue, Ste I, Raleigh, NC 27608 postmarked by Friday, October 21, 2022

Include the contact information form at the bottom of each essay. NCFA will not consider essays with missing contact information.

Essay Format

• Essays can be typed or handwritten
• Typed essays must use Times New Roman or Arial size 12 or 14 point
• Electronic submissions must be sent as a .doc, .docx, or PDF
• Hand-written essays must have legible handwriting with dark pen or pencil

Judging Criteria

Essays will be graded by a panel of judges using a standardized Analytic Rubric. Consider the following:

• Student correctly answers the question and provides evidence to support.
• Student uses sound sources and provides citations. Do not plagiarize!
• Student provides a thorough explanation that expresses the individual’s ideas and thoughts. Creativity is encouraged within the parameters of the prompt.
• Student uses correct spelling, grammar, and attempts neatness. Essays can be typed.
• Negative and or ‘Doom and Gloom’ scenarios are discouraged.

Prizes

Top essays will be selected from the elementary, middle, and high school categories.

• Students will receive a $200 Visa gift card.
• The sponsoring teacher will also receive $100 Visa gift card for classroom materials and a scholarship to attend the Sustainable Forestry Teachers Experience the next calendar year.
  • Prizes will be delivered during the month of December. The NCFA would appreciate the opportunity to say congratulations virtually or in person. Teachers are welcome to add an outreach presentation to the award ceremony.

Resources for Writing Great Essays

For research and additional resources, please visit our Forestry Education Google Drive

Winning Essays

• 2021 Winning Essays
• 2020 Winning Essays
  
• 2019 Winning Essays
• 2018 Winning Essays
• 2017 Winning Essays

Special thanks to the N.C. Forest Service and the North Carolina Sustainable Forestry Initiative Implementation Committee for sponsoring the essay contest!