FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

For more information contact:
Bill Clary

(502) 564-4696

COMMISSIONER FARMER EXTENDS CONTEST DEADLINE

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has announced that the deadline for entries for the 2008 Poster and Essay Contest has been extended to Feb. 29.

“Many schools across Kentucky have been closed a substantial number of days this winter because of illness or inclement weather,” Commissioner Farmer said. “I want to make sure every child has the opportunity to participate in the contest.”

 The Poster and Essay Contest is open to Kentucky students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students will create posters or essays about “How the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Works for Me.” Statewide winners in each grade will be awarded a $100 savings bond and will be honored at the annual Kentucky Agriculture Day luncheon March 25 in Frankfort.

Poster contest entries must be in color on white paper, must demonstrate the theme and must include the theme in the artwork. Entries should be submitted rolled in a tube or wrapped flat. Essay contest entries must be no more than 150 words for participants in kindergarten through third grade and no more than 250 words for those in fourth through eighth grades.

Entries must be mailed to Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Poster and Essay Contest, 500 Mero Street, 7th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. Entries must be postmarked no later than Feb. 29. Winners in each grade will be notified by March 10.

For complete contest rules, an entry form or more information, go to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Web Site, www.kyagr.com, click on Education Resources under the Programs menu, click on Agriculture Education and click on 2008 Poster & Essay Contest. More information also is available by contacting Rayetta Boone or Teresa Prather by phone at (502) 564-4696 or by e-mail at rayetta.boone@ky.gov or teresa.prather@ky.gov.

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