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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HONORS FARM-CITY POSTER CONTEST WINNERS
Young students from throughout the Mountain State joined longtime Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass at Capitol Market in Charleston November 16 for a National Farm-City Week Celebration. The event was highlighted by cash prizes for their efforts in the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s (WVDA) poster contest.
The theme of the contest was “Agriculture – No Farm, No Food – What Does It Mean To You?” and students in grades K-6 were invited to participate in three age categories. First place in each age group won $75, second place won $50 and third place received $25.
“I was very impressed with the quality of the winning entries and the thought that obviously went into them,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass. “I was also excited with the interest in agriculture generated by the contest. There were literally hundreds of entries that came into the Communications Division.”
Publicity efforts were greatly aided by Charleston Newspapers’ “Newspapers in Education” program, which produces special educational inserts and provides newspapers to participating classrooms.
“The assistance of Charleston Newspapers really helped to expand the scope of our educational outreach to students,” said Chris Kelley-Dye, Director of the WVDA Communications Division. “Most people don’t think about where their food comes from beyond the grocery shelf. Hopefully, we’ve helped to create a greater awareness of the complex system behind every meal we eat.”
Now in its 51st year, National Farm-City Week takes place each year during the week leading up to Thanksgiving and is held to recognize the contributions made by both rural and urban America in providing consumers a safe, wholesome and affordable food supply.
The picture from the Farm-City Poster Contest can be downloaded at
www.wvagriculture.org/news_releases/2006/11-29-06.html
or for media receiving the electronic version click here: Poster Contest Winners.
Caption for the above downloadable picture: Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass poses for a group photo with winners of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s (WVDA) National Farm-City Week Poster Contest during a ceremony held Nov. 16. The theme of the contest was “Agriculture – No Farm, No Food – What Does It Mean To You?” and students in grades K-6 were invited to participate in three age categories. First place in each age group won $75, second place won $50 and third place received $25. Pictured, front row from left, are Marguerite Grace Kemp-Sherman of Lewisburg, Taylor Bryant of Holden, Breanna Perkins-Hatfield of Huntington and Skylar Blevins of Lewisburg. Back row, Shelby Richards of Follansbee, Natosha Douglas of Weirton and Kinley Hazelett of Huntington. Not pictured are James Konner Harrick of Follansbee and Rebekah Ferrell of Huntington.
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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