Theme of this year’s contest is ‘Bluegrass Roots, Agriculture Strong’

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 7, 2026) – Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell has announced the winners of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA) annual Poster and Essay Contest. The theme of the contest, "Bluegrass Roots, Agriculture Strong," allowed contestants to illustrate, in words and art, the strength of agriculture in Kentucky, nicknamed the Bluegrass State.

"Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State, has deep roots in agriculture. That relationship was at the heart of this year’s annual Poster and Essay Contest,” Commissioner Shell said. “Seeing all the wonderful ways our students displayed Kentucky’s agriculture strength was encouraging for our future. Congratulations to each of these winners."

The KDA received 711 entries. Each winning entry received a $100 award from Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom and will be displayed at the 2026 Kentucky State Fair in August in Louisville. Winning students will be honored on May 30 at Gallrein Farms in Shelbyville.

The digital winner, which includes photos or original digital artwork, is Katie Mason, a ninth-grader at LaRue County High School.

Essay winners:

•     First grade: Cason Shaw, Metcalfe County Elementary School
•     Second grade: Reagan Morgan, Metcalfe County Elementary School
•     Third grade: Rhett Claypool, St. Mary School
•     Fourth grade: Eli LaCasse, St. Mary School
•     Fifth grade: Colt McFarland, St. Mary School
•     Sixth grade: Grayson Johnson, Bullitt Lick Middle School
•     Seventh grade: Lyric Gerton, St. Mary School
•     Eighth grade: Lauren Forbis, East Hardin Middle School
•     Ninth grade: Bryson Lewis, LaRue County High School
•     10th grade: Embry Stivers, Henry County High School
•     11th grade: Ava Hamilton, Pikeville High School
•     12th grade: Cyrus Bivens, LaRue County High School

Poster winners:

•     Kindergarten: Cora Metts, Spencer County Elementary School
•     First grade: Veronica Drees, Fort Wright Elementary School
•     Second grade: Lane Staples, Hiseville Elementary School
•     Third grade: Henrietta Clay, St. Mary School
•     Fourth grade: Landon Staples, Hiseville Elementary School
•     Fifth grade: Colson Barone, Grant’s Lick Elementary School
•     Sixth grade: Mattox Shelby, Bourbon County Middle School
•     Seventh grade: Tha Taw, Burns Middle School
•     Eighth grade: Katya Tarima, Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary
•     Ninth grade: Avery Bivens, LaRue County High School
•     10th grade: Kellie Box, LaRue County High School
•     11th grade: Jenna Bryant, Henry County High School
•     12th grade: Alana Houchens, Barren County High School