By TED SLOAN, Kentucky Agricultural News

The annual Poster and Essay Contest will offer new prizes and open to more students in 2007, Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has announced.

The teacher of each winner will earn $500 for use in the classroom. Kentucky kindergarten students now may participate in the contest, joining students in grades 1-8.

“These changes will make the contest even better,” Commissioner Farmer said. “For years the Poster and Essay Contest has helped thousands of Kentucky youths understand why agriculture is an important part of their lives. Now we will reach even more students, and the classroom prize will create an added incentive and a greater reward that will help our teachers. I want to thank the Kentucky Grocers Association for its generosity in sponsoring the $500 prizes.”

Teachers may use the $500 award to take students on a field trip to an agritourism site; buy classroom supplies to carry out activities in the Project Food, Land and People Resources for Learning guide; reserve the Agriculture Adventures: Kentucky program for their school; reserve the Mobile Science Activity Center, or buy books or supplies related to plants, soils and growing food.

The theme of the 2007 contest is “Kentucky Farms Are Fun!” Students will be asked to choose a topic related to an agritourism business and draw a poster relating to that business or write an essay about the importance of agritourism to Kentucky farmers.

Agritourism is defined as any business conducted by a farmer for the enjoyment or education of the public. Increasing numbers of Kentucky farmers are opening their farms to the public to introduce them to the farm experience and to make more money on the farm.

All artwork and essays must be exclusively student-created. Students may participate in one or both contests. Drawings must be in color. Essays from students in kindergarten through third grade may be no more than 150 words, and essays from students in grades 4-8 may be no more than 250 words.

Entries must be postmarked by Feb. 23. Entries submitted by mail must be addressed to Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Poster and Essay Contest, 500 Mero Street, 7th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601.

Winners will be selected in each grade and will be notified by March 9. Each statewide winner will receive a $100 savings bond as well as the $500 for his or her classroom. Winners will be honored at the Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 22 in Frankfort.

For more information, contact Rayetta Boone or Teresa Prather at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture by phone at (502) 564-4696 or by e-mail at rayetta.boone@ky.gov or teresa.prather@ky.gov.