The Alabama Farm-City poster and essay theme for 2011 is "Harvesting Healthy Choices." The National Farm-City Council's 2011 focus is on obesity. Statistics indicate that about one-third of American children ages 6 to 19 are overweight and suffer from cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, modern agriculture Ð rather than lifestyle choices Ð is often blamed for America's expanding waistline. We can dispel this myth by showing the healthy food choices available from American farmers. In Alabama, we have embraced the national focus on obesity with our 2011 theme.

"Harvesting Healthy Choices" gives the agricultural community a chance to talk about the health benefits of locally grown produce and other foods. This theme opens up a wealth of possibilities for young artists and writers participating in the Farm-City poster and essay contests. Picture the images of farmers providing healthy food choices for their city neighbors. Imagine stories about how modern agriculture produces healthier animals, more nutritious grains and year-round access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

This theme coincides with the recent release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "My Plate" nutritional guide, which calls for a balanced diet including fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy products. You may want to visit www.choosemyplate.gov.

As with past poster and essay themes, "Harvesting Healthy Choices" 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 2013 Farm-City Calendar.

Eligibility and Rules

1. Entry is open to all students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade and must be the original work of the student.

2. There are two categories of competition: K - 3 grades and 4 - 6 grades. First and Second Place winners will be named in each category.

3. Posters must relate to the theme.

4. Posters must be on display during the month of November in a shopping mall, library, retail businesses, or other place of public view.

5. The size should be horizontal with the length no greater than 28 inches and height no greater than 22 inches. It should be no smaller than 14 inches in length and 11 inches high. Standard thickness poster paper is preferred. (Vertical posters will be judged but NOT considered for the calendar due to format requirements.)

6. 6. Any flat medium can be used (such as pen and pencil, crayon, watercolor, ink, or oil). No three-dimensional posters (such as gluing products on to a poster) will be eligible.

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

8. 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.

9. Criteria for judging include: creativity, originality, neatness, overall appearance and relevance to the theme.

10. Deadline for entry at the state level is March 1, 2012. Winners will be notified by mail no later than April 1. Award winners will be announced at the state Farm-City Awards Luncheon in April.

11. Entries become the property of the Farm-City Committee of Alabama and may be photographed or reproduced in a calendar or any other publication as the Committee sees fit without further permission or monetary consideration.

FIRST PLACE: $200 Cash	Student's Classroom: $200 Cash
SECOND PLACE: $100 Cash	Student's Classroom: $100 Cash