Press Releases
Statewide winners in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Poster and Essay Contest were recognized with Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, second from left, and Miss Kentucky Laura Jones, right, between innings of the Lexington Legends game on Friday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture photo)
Quarles honors Poster and Essay Contest winners
Students submit entries on 'Kentucky Farmers feed the Hungry'
For Immediate Release
Saturday, June 17, 2017
For more information contact:
Ted Sloan
(502) 782-0285
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles presented awards to the winners of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA’s) 2017 Poster and Essay Contest on Friday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, home of the Lexington Legends minor league baseball team.
Hundreds of students from throughout the Commonwealth submitted posters, essays, and digital images based on the theme “Kentucky Farmers Feed the Hungry.”
“The students did an outstanding job of demonstrating how Kentucky farmers are doing their part to help their fellow Kentuckians in need,” Commissioner Quarles said. “This contest, in conjunction with the Hunger Initiative that we launched a year ago, raised awareness of the scope of the hunger problem in Kentucky and the need to find solutions. We are grateful to each and every student who participated in this year’s contest.”
Statewide winners in the poster and essay divisions were honored in each of grades K-12, and one statewide winner in digital media was recognized. Each winner received a $100 check from Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom (KAEC) and tickets to the Legends game against the Hagerstown (Md.) Suns.
Essay winners with their hometowns, schools, and teachers were:
- Grade 4 – Kate Hayden, Owensboro, homeschool, Ben Hayden
- Grade 5 – Kamron Hardesty, Payneville, Payneville Elementary, Becky Whelan
- Grade 6 – Lexi Hayden, Owensboro, homeschool, Ben Hayden
- Grade 7 – Naomi English, Glasgow, Glasgow Middle School, Laura Cline
- Grade 8 – Josie Beauchamp, Eastview, FAITH Academics Homeschool Co-op, Amy Moore
- Grade 9 – Miriam Moore, Elizabethtown, FAITH Academics Homeschool Co-op, Amy Moore
- Grade 10 – Lillian Haldeman, Louisville, FAITH Academics Homeschool Co-op, Amy Moore
- Grade 12 – James Pack, Frankfort, Franklin County High School, Sherri Smith
Poster winners with their schools, hometowns, and teachers were:
- Kindergarten – Greta Gibson, Louisville, Highlands Latin School, Teresa Brittain
- Grade 1 – Jason McDonald, Waco, Waco Elementary, Whitney Arnold
- Grade 2 – Benjamin Caldbeck, Daviess County, Caldbeck Ag Education, Claire Caldbeck
- Grade 3 – Sofie Walter, Benton, Sharpe Elementary, Andrea Barrett
- Grade 4 – Julia Hadsell, Shelbyville, Southside Elementary, Michelle Thomas
- Grade 5 – Elizabeth Monterosso, Mt. Washington, Mt. Washington Elementary, Amber Johnson
- Grade 6 – Gracie Doublin, Bardwell, Carlisle County Middle School, Erin Provow
- Grade 7 – Rachael Tanner, Cecilia, West Hardin Middle School, Leslie Meredith
- Grade 8 – Suzie Endicott, Glasgow, Barren County Middle School, Marla England
- Grade 9 – Abby Steele, Harrodsburg, Mercer County Senior High School, Julia Snellen
- Grade 10 – Alyssa Baker, Harrodsburg, Mercer County Senior High School, Julia Snellen
- Grade 11 – Sarah Caldbeck, Daviess County, Daviess County High School, Jason Smith
- Grade 12 – Devin Lorch, Harrodsburg, Mercer County Senior High School, Julia Snellen
The student who submitted the winning digital media entry was Katrin Wilson of Whispering Hills Christian Academy in Lawrenceburg. Katrin’s teacher is Tamela Wilson.
Commissioner Quarles also honored Kaylyn Woods of Paintsville Elementary School as the Kentucky winner in the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program. Kaylyn grew a 17-pound cabbage for the statewide contest.
The Poster and Essay Contest is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom Inc. For more information, go to kyagr.com/agcontest.
