Farm Progress

Ohio students awarded for art displaying why 'Ag is Cool'

Opening day ceremony at the Ohio State Fairgrounds recognizes 10 winners.

August 1, 2018

2 Min Read
BEST OF SHOW: Ohio Gov. John Kasich shows off the Best of Show exhibit by Anna Rose, 17, of Columbus, Franklin County.

Ohio students from kindergarten through high school recently competed to artistically show why they thought agriculture is cool. The 2018 "Agriculture is Cool!" Creative Expression art contest offered a chance to win a trip to the Ohio State Fair.

Entries, which included photographs, drawings and paintings, were judged in four different age categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.

Ten entries were selected as winners in their respective categories:

• K-2 Drawing: Lilliana Neal, Chillicothe, Ross County, age 7

• 3-5 Drawing: Joseph Leisure, Forest, Hancock County, age 10

• 3-5 Painting: Camille Lee, Tontogany, Wood County, age 9

0730W1-2010B.jpg
WINNING PAINTING: Camille Lee, 9, of Tontogany, Wood County, won in the 3-5 grade category for paintings.

• 6-8 Drawing: Elizabeth Stock, Brilliant, Jefferson County, age 12

• 6-8 Painting: Angelina Warner, Chillicothe, Ross County, age 13

• 9-12 Drawing: Lance Mahler, Arlington, Hancock County, age 15

• 9-12 Painting: Kylee Geissinger, Arlington, Hancock County, age 16

• 9-12 Photo/Digital: Sarah Graber, Liberty Center, Henry County, age 15

• Director’s Choice: Cayne Essinger, Arlington, Hancock County, age 13

0730W1-2010c.jpg
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE: Cayne Essinger, 13, of Arlington, Hancock County, was awarded the Director’s Choice award.

• Best of Show: Anna Rose, Columbus, Franklin County, age 17

The winners were honored by Gov. John Kasich, Ohio Agriculture Director David Daniels and Ohio State Fair Manager Virgil Strickler, at a ceremony at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. 

"Our department received a record 104 entries this year from talented children across the state, and I’m so impressed by the creativity and artistic ability of our winners," Daniels says. "Having the opportunity to challenge kids to think about why food and agriculture is cool, and seeing the results through their eyes is always a fun experience. We hope it sparks an interest in learning more about the industry, it’s importance to all of us and all of the opportunities food and agriculture offers to them as a career choice later down the road."

2018 marks the eighth year of the art contest and the "Ag is Cool!" educational program that is featured at the Ohio State Fair, July 25 to Aug. 5. 

Source: ODA

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like