Darrel S. Metcalfe Student Manuscript Contest

Showcase your flair for research and writing

Do you have a story worth telling? Whether it's groundbreaking research, a career-changing discovery, or a topic that deserves more attention in the agricultural community, the Darrel S. Metcalfe Student Manuscript Contest is your chance to share it and get published.

This contest encourages and recognizes science writing by undergraduate students on topics related to agronomy, crop science, and soil science. Strong written communication is a critical skill linked to career success, and this contest is designed to give you real experience in the publication process, from a first draft through final publication.

The contest honors Dr. Darrel S. Metcalfe for his leadership and lifelong commitment to students, and his belief in the power of clear, quality communication.

• Nominations are open from September 8, 2026 until October 1, 2026.

Submit Here

Overview

Write your entry as a science communication article — the kind you'd find in CSA News or a similar science communication outlet. Your audience is broad: members of ASA, CSSA, SSSA, and SASES across many disciplines and education levels, so write for a general scientific reader rather than a specialist one.

Strong topics include:

• Your own undergraduate research
• A professional's research, career path, or impact in the field
• Emerging technologies in agriculture (precision agriculture, soil health, gene editing, etc.)
• Climate adaptation, sustainability, or food security
• Career paths in agronomy, crop science, or soil science
• Any other newsworthy topic relevant to ASA, CSSA, SSSA, or SASES

Your topic should feel fresh and timely, and should offer something valuable to scientists, environmental professionals, agronomists, industry representatives, farmers, and farm advisors alike.

Applications are accepted September 8, 2026 until October 1, 2026.

Awards & recognition

• 1st Place: $500, publication, and a complimentary one-year undergraduate membership to ASA, CSSA, and SSSA
• 2nd Place: $300, publication, and a complimentary one-year undergraduate membership to ASA, CSSA, and SSSA
• 3rd Place: $100, publication, and a complimentary one-year undergraduate membership to ASA, CSSA, and SSSA
• Recognition at the SASES student awards program at CANVAS
• Results announced in CSA News magazine, with links to the winning articles

The committee may adjust the number of prizes awarded based on the number and quality of submissions received that year.
 

Eligibility

Any undergraduate student who is a member of ASA, CSSA, and/or SSSA is eligible to enter, with two exceptions:

• You may not enter if you have previously placed in this contest.
• Your entry must be submitted before you graduate.

Submission requirements

Each submission should include:

• 1,000–1,500 words (about 3–5 pages), not counting your title page, tables, illustrations, or captions
• Use standard, readable formatting: 12-point font, 1-inch margins, double-spaced
• Include a title page with your name, university, entry title, “Darrel S. Metcalfe Student Manuscript Contest,” and the year
• Include at least one (and ideally more) photo, table, graph, or line drawing that illustrates your topic
• Images should be at least 300 dpi; original artwork is preferred, but free-stock images (e.g., Unsplash, Pexels, Pixabay) are acceptable with proper citation and permission
• Subheadings are encouraged; footnotes are discouraged

Submissions

During submission, students must certify that:
•    They are a current ASA, CSSA, or SSSA member.
•    The manuscript is their original work.
•    Assistance received was limited to topic suggestions, material sources, and feedback from a single reviewer (no editorial rewriting).
•    If selected as a winner, they agree to publication of their entry (with editorial adjustments as required).

Judging

Please reference the judging rubric to gain insight on specific requirements.

1. Content 40

Appropriateness for intended audience (10), Accuracy (10), Quality & Originality (10), and Conclusions (10)

2. Readability 25

Clarity (10), Spelling & Punctuation (5), Sentence Structure (5), Paragraph Structure (5)

3. Organization 15

Material should be presented in a logical and concise order that is easy for readers to follow

4. Figures, Tables, Images, or Illustrations 10 (Must have at least one)

Quality, appropriateness for the paper with meaningful captions.

5. Identification of sources 5

Statements of facts and use of data from other sources should be acknowledged by naming or referencing the sources in-text with subsequent full citation in the References section.

6. Neatness 5

General overall appearance of the paper.

Total = 100

Contacts

Contest Chairs 

• Eric Brennan | Send Message
• Robert Rhykerd | Send Message

ASA, CSSA, and SSSA Contact: Student Programs | Send Message