For immediate release MONDAY, JAN. 26, 2004

Contact: Heather Quinn
(502) 564-5126

Frankfort, KY–Across the Commonwealth, students in grades 1-8 are describing, in words and pictures, how their food gets from the farm to the table as part of an annual Poster and Essay Contest sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

“One of my priorities is to educate the public on the importance of agriculture, and the Poster and Essay Contest goes hand-in-hand with that initiative. Not many young people today know or appreciate how the things we eat, use and wear go from the farm to their households; they have only seen these items in stores,” said Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer.

“Through this contest, we are trying to educate our youth as we work to reestablish that link between consumer and producer. Kentucky agriculture touches everyone’s lives, and that lesson cannot begin too early,” Commissioner Farmer said.

Teachers of Kentucky students in grades 1-8 are invited to submit posters and essays around the theme, “Agriculture, From Farm to Table,” illustrating through words or pictures the message of the theme, said Rayetta Boone, assistant director of KDA’s Division of Agriculture Education and Farmland Preservation. Students may enter both competitions.

Posters must be in color (use of crayons or colored pencils is prohibited) with total dimensions not exceeding 18 inches x 24 inches. The theme must be prominent in the artwork. Essays around the theme should be no longer than 150 words for students in grades 1-3, and no longer than 250 words for students in grades 4-8. Entry deadline is Feb. 27.

Contest winners will be notified March 8, Boone said. Each winner will receive a $100 savings bond.

Winning posters and essays will be featured in various KDA publications and special events.

For more information, interested teachers should log onto the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Web site at www.kyagr.com, or contact Boone by phone at (502) 564-4696 or by e-mail at rayetta.boone@kyagr.com.

-30-