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The Alabama Farm-City poster and essay theme for 2010 is "Agriculture: A Growing Story." This year's theme supports the National Farm-City Committee's new strategy of addressing one potentially divisive issue each year. The National Farm-City Council chose this theme to coincide with its focus this year on media myths about agriculture. I believe the theme will inspire our students to create interesting essays.
Investigative reports about food production, animal care, genetic improvements, antibiotic use and the like have painted a negative picture of farming. This has the potential to be a divisive issue for farmers and their city neighbors. The goal of this year's focus will be to dispel some of the myths presented in negative stories, while telling the real story of American farmers and ranchers. It will also give farmers a chance to examine their own behaviors and production practices in light of consumer concerns.
As with past poster and essay themes, "Agriculture: A Growing Story" also gives students a chance to explore the interdependence of farms and cities.
The contest is sponsored by the Farm-City Committee of Alabama, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191-0001, in cooperation with Alabama Ag in the Classroom and Alabama Farmers Cooperative. More information for teachers and students is available online at www.AlfaFarmers.org, www.AlabamaAITC.org and www.AgEducate.org or by contacting your local Alabama Cooperative Extension System office.
State winners in the poster and essay contests will be featured in the Alabama Farm-City Committee's 2012 Farm-City Calendar.
Eligibility and Rules
- Division I is open to all students in grades 7 - 9.
Division II is open to all students in grades 10 - 12.
- First and second place winners will be named.
- Essays must relate to the theme.
- Each student is required to complete an information form and attach it to each essay entry. (Click Here For Information Form)
- All entries will be judged first at the County Farm-City Committee level with the first place winner in each county being submitted to the State Farm-City Committee. One entry per division, per county may be submitted for judging at the state level.
- Criteria: Essay should be 500 - 1000 words, neatly typed, and double-spaced, on 8-1/2 x 11, white paper. They will be judged on:
- 1. Content title
- Topic Sentence
- Adherence to topic
- Accuracy of information
- Supporting details
- Appearance
- Originality
- Reader Appeal
- 2. Mechanics
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Sentence Structure
- Capitalization
- Spelling
- 3. Organization
- Clarity
- Flow of material
- Conclusion
- Deadline for entry at the state level is March 1, 2011. State winners will be notified by mail no later than April 1. Award winners will be announced at the State Farm-City Awards Luncheon.
- All entries may be used at the discretion of the Ag in the Classroom Steering Committee and the Farm-City Committee of Alabama without further permission or monetary consideration.
State Awards in Each Category
| FIRST PLACE: $300 Cash |
Student's Classroom: $300 Cash |
| SECOND PLACE: $200 Cash | Student's Classroom: $200 Cash |
For further information, contact your local Farm-City Committee or the State Farm-City Committee at 1(800) 392-5705 or 1(334) 613-4410. E-mail: pculver@alfafarmers.org. Fax: 1(334) 284-3957. Mailing address: P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191. Attn: Jeff Helms.
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