Gov. John Kasich is promoting a program he created to raise awareness for Ohio’s leading industry — agriculture.
The Agriculture is Cool initiative includes a contest that promotes awareness to students in Ohio and allows them to see the importance of agriculture in today’s economy.
The “Ag is Cool” Creative Expressions contest is open to K-12 students. Students are required to explain why they think agriculture is “cool” using an original video, photograph, drawing or painting that accurately represents 21st century agriculture.
Students entering the creative expressions section of the contest have until June 6 to submit their work.
Ashley McDonald, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, said Kasich launched the program through the state Department of Agriculture in 2011.
“(The contest was created to) revitalize interest in Ohio’s top industry, which is agriculture,” McDonald said.
The intent of the program is to increase youth awareness and interest in agriculture, as well as stress the importance and necessity of this industry.
McDonald said that the contest hopes to provide youth with information about important agricultural careers like growing and raising livestock and veterinary medicine.
Katie Showalter, of The Ohio State Fair, said the contest is more a learning opportunity than it is a highly competitive one.
“Ag is Cool is not a competition, but rather an educational program provided at the Fair to teach children about local agriculture,” Showalter said.
All of the prizes have not yet been revealed, but by entering the contest students may win Ohio State Fair concert tickets or free ride passes.
The winners will be recognized at the Ohio State Fair in July during an award ceremony held by the Governor’s Office.
Local schools in Athens are not participating in the contests as a district at this time, officials said, but students can still submit their work individually.
The contest also has another component promoting agriculture awareness specifically to fourth grade students. Students in this age group will be able to get into the fair for free by showing their report card. At the fair, students will participate in interactive, educational displays concerning agriculture. Hands-on stations throughout the Fair allow students to learn about bacteria and food safety, check out bugs under a microscope, milk a cow and spin wool. Students can write an essay based on what they learned about agriculture during their trips to the fair and win up to a $500 college scholarship.
Fourth grade teachers can register online for a chance to win a free field trip to the fair.
The Ohio State Fair will be held July 23-August 3.
More information on the contests can be found at http://www.agri.ohio.gov/AgIsCool.
hh3371062@ohiou.edu
