Develop your communication skills, build confidence, learn from industry experts, network with students from across the country and win scholarships and prizes! College Aggies Online (CAO), an initiative of the Animal Agriculture Alliance, is a 9-week program open to college students and clubs interested in agriculture. Each week, an industry professional will lead a webinar or offer advice. Individuals will create social media posts about agriculture and clubs will carry out activities on their campus or community to engage the public about agriculture. Participants will earn points for completing assignments, attending trainings, posting on social media and holding events. The top three individuals and clubs with the most points at the end of the competition will win! The Alliance awarded more than $20,000 in scholarships, prizes and trips during last year's competition.

In addition to potentially earning prizes and scholarships, participants will build skills and confidence in using social media to promote agriculture, including how to handle negative comments and misinformation. Students will learn how to effectively engage with the public about agriculture and put their skills to use by completing weekly challenges. Students will receive tricks and tips from industry professionals and gain experience in communicating in today's online world.

This year's competition kicks off September 19, 2016.