Students Can Submit “Ag Is Cool!” Contest Entry Until July 9

Enter to Win Tickets to Ohio State Fair, The Band Perry Concert

With just a few months left until the Ohio State Fair, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is encouraging students (K-12) to submit their entries for the 2012 “Agriculture is Cool!” Creative Expressions contest. Ohio children enrolled in school, or who are home-schooled, during the 2011-2012 academic year have until July 9, 2012, to capture their personal interpretation of why Ohio agriculture is cool for their chance to win two tickets to see The Band Perry at the Ohio State Fair.

Entries – which can include an original video, photograph, drawing or painting – will be judged in the following age categories, and one winner from each age group and category will be chosen:          

Grades K-2: Photography, Drawing or Painting

Grades 3-5: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting

Grades 6-8: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting

Grades 9-12: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges that may include representatives from ODA, the Office of the Governor, the Ohio Expo Center and professionals in the areas of video production, photography, drawing, painting and other visual arts. Judging will be based on the student’s visual representation of the “Ag is Cool” theme, how accurately it reflects 21st Century agriculture, creativity and use of Ohio images, and quality of work. Contest winners will be notified by July 20, 2012.

Award winners will be recognized by the Office of the Governor and other state officials at the Ohio State Fair’s Taste of Ohio Café at noon on July 25, 2012. Winners will receive two one-day State Fair admission passes and two tickets to see The Band Perry on August 2.

For additional information about the contest, a complete copy of the rules and entry forms, visit www.ohioagriculture.gov/agiscool or call 614-752-9817.