The Alabama Farm-City poster and essay theme for 2009 is "Farmers Care - For Animals and You." This year's theme supports the National Farm-City Committee's new strategy of addressing one potentially divisive issue each year. In selecting animal care as the 2009 national focus, the Committee acknowledged that providing a forum for discussion of this issue is consistent with the Farm-City mission of cultivating greater understanding among rural and urban residents.

The care of farm animals is an often misunderstood topic that can result in emotional debate among individuals, members of the media and elected officials. This year's poster and essay theme will give students a chance to learn more about the steps farmers take to make sure they raise healthy animals and produce safe food for our families.

As with past poster and essay themes, "Farmers Care - For Animals and You" also gives students a chance to explore the interdependence of farms and cities. Although our food supply begins with farmers providing food, water, shelter and medical care for their animals, the chain also includes transportation, processing and even cooking.

The theme gives students freedom to use their imaginations as they explore the relationship between farm and city with a special focus on the way farmers care for their animals and our food.

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. 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 2011 Farm-City Calendar.

Eligibility and Rules

1. Division I is open to all students in grades 7 - 9.

   Division II is open to all students in grades 10 - 12.

2. First and second place winners will be named.

3. Essays must relate to the theme.

4. Each student is required to complete an information form and attach it to each essay entry. (Click Here For Information Form)

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Deadline for entry at the state level is March 1, 2010. State winners will be notified by mail no later than April 1. Award winners will be announced at the State Farm-City Awards Luncheon.

8. 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.

FIRST PLACE: $300 Cash	Student's Classroom: $300 Cash
SECOND PLACE: $200 Cash	Student's Classroom: $200 Cash