Inspired by Agriculture

Students draw on ag knowledge

Research has shown that an effective way to remember new information is to draw a picture illustrating what was learned. If that is the case, hundreds of DeKalb County elementary students remember new information about agriculture after participating in this year’s CONNECTIONS magazine cover design contest.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau offers the design contest for elementary students annually. The contest serves as a culmination of the Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program, in which volunteers visit elementary classrooms to teach about agriculture. The design theme for each grade level reflects the AITC lesson topic for that grade.

This year’s contest generated 440 entries from 34 classrooms in 10 schools. Members of the Ag Literacy Committee judged the entries, choosing first, second, and third place winners plus three honorable mention recipients from each grade level.

The design considered most suitable for the CONNECTIONS Magazine cover was selected from the five first place entries to be the grand prize winner.

Thirty children were recognized during the May 7th Awards Night. First through third place winners received gift cards while honorable mention recipients received special certificates. The grand prize winner was announced at the end of the program.

This year’s grand prize design was created by Indian Creek Elementary student Finley Richey, who illustrated the 3rd grade contest theme, “Farm Grown.” Finley’s teacher is Julie Lovett. To celebrate Finley’s win, Mrs. Lovett’s class enjoyed an ice cream party at school.

Watch a video of the winning designs at https://growyoungminds.org/programs-events/design-contest/. ■