Speaking about issues such as agrotourism and urban farming are best delivered to audiences that don't have farming experience. Agrotourism helps small farmers supplement their income while teaching people about the workings of a farm. Families are always on the lookout for educational vacation opportunities, so when you speak about agrotourism, you are leaving something with them that can last longer than an hour. Urban farming is another growing movement that many urban residents are interested in learning more about.
If you want to ensure that your audience is passionate and engaged, select a speech topic that is related to agricultural events currently in the news. When you speak about farm subsidies, pesticides, school lunch mandates, and how tax cuts affect farmers, you're bound to find an interested audience. People read about these events in the paper, but they don't always get the opportunity to engage with a speaker who knows about them.
Children are taught to name and make the sounds of animals at very young ages. However, they don't have much true knowledge about farming or access to farm animals, and childrens' books aren't usually realistic. When you talk about life on a real farm, you're changing the visual picture in their head to one that supports the realities of farm life. The American Farm Bureau has a recommended book list for kids. Select your favorite book and read a few pages of it to get their attention.
If you are a member of the the agricultural community, find a subject that will appeal to others who work in the industry. Start by brainstorming topics that fall within your area of expertise, and then select a topic where sharing your knowledge has the potential to make a difference. For example, if you are an organic farmer, you might decide to talk about how to become part of the National Organic Program. Because you are an expert in the field, you will be able to use your personal experience to address your audience's concerns.