by Emma Alexander
When she was 10 years old, Sophie Geppert stood terrified at a youth public speaking contest. But as a college sophomore, she claimed the Senior Division title at the 2026 National Holstein Convention in Orlando, Fla.
“I participated in the national Holstein speaking contest for nearly a decade, only earning modest placings. It was hard, but I didn’t give up,” Geppert said. “This year, I took the pressure off myself to do well. I presented a speech I really liked, which made me more comfortable than in years past.”
The fourth generation to grow up on her family’s farm near Kingdom City, Mo., in Agri-Ready-designated Callaway County, Geppert’s family raises registered Holstein replacement heifers and beef cattle.
After delivering the winning speech analyzing the global dairy industry, she reflected on how a decade of public speaking competitions influenced her future endeavors. Geppert purposefully pursues different speaking experiences.
Putting skills to test
Geppert said the place to start any speech should come naturally.
“When you are passionate about a subject,” she said, “you write a better speech. It makes it easier to remember.”
Her strategy paid off as she placed in the Missouri Pork Producers speech contest and the Missouri FFA state extemporaneous speaking contest.
She participated in national impromptu speaking in Future Business Leaders of America. She also served as a 2025-26 Missouri FFA vice president.
“I wouldn’t have known that I love public speaking if I hadn’t tried it,” Geppert shared. “My mom and mentors constantly encouraged me. A simple high-five can be all it takes.”
The best public speaking advice she can give: Just do it. “Try a three- to five-minute speech,” she said. “You may hate it. But what if you don’t?”
Speaking for agriculture
As a University of Missouri student, Geppert studied abroad last spring, exploring grazing-based dairies in Ireland.
“It was eye-opening. European dairies focus on grazing because there isn’t ample grain like in the U.S. I had never thought about that,” Geppert explained. “It doesn’t matter if you have attended classes, or done internet research. When you actually go see something, it really makes sense. And I love to travel!”
Experiences in 4-H and FFA, public speaking skills, growing up on the family farm, and being a part of the agriculture community of Callaway County opened another door for Geppert.
Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Geppert’s appointment as the youth representative to the Missouri Community Service Commission, a nonpartisan state commission that develops a service plan for the state of Missouri and administers AmeriCorps funding to enhance community service and investment across the state.
“I am excited to bring new ideas born from my connections and experiences to the commission,” Geppert said. “I get the opportunity to bring an agricultural perspective to a statewide commission made up of members from all industries.”
More about Sophie Geppert
Geppert was a Youth in Agriculture Foundation intern for the 2026 Missouri State Fair. She is a member of Mizzou Collegiate Farm Bureau, an at-large member of CAFNR Student Council, and an alumnus of the Hatton 4-H Club.
She is the 2026-27 Missouri FFA state officer mentor and will receive her American FFA Degree this October as a member of the North Callaway FFA Chapter. She is the daughter of Kate Geppert and the late Doug Geppert.
She and her mom celebrate their heritage as members of the National Holstein Association. Geppert is vice president of the Missouri Junior Holstein Association and a member of the National Junior Holstein Association, serving as a national advisory committee member.
Alexander writes from Olga, Mo.