Lt. Governor honors essay contest winners that capture love of Indiana food and its farmers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Winners from grades 4-12 were awarded today at the Indiana Statehouse

INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2011) As part of the celebration marking Agriculture Appreciation Month here in Indiana, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman honored young Hoosiers at the Statehouse for their winning essays on “Our Food, Our Farmers.”

Sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Indiana Humanities Council, the 2011 Ag Essay Contest asked students to explain how Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their own lives—and in the lives of those around them.

Students in grades 4-12 shared their personal perspectives on paper and video. Their themes ranged from asking us to “Follow the past our breakfast came from” to “How agriculture has affected our lives.”

 “This essay contest was a great way for students to learn more about where their food comes from and the Hoosiers that produce it,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council. “We are happy to partner with Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Lieutenant Governor’s office to celebrate our rich agricultural history through the collection of student stories.”

There were two categories of competition: video essay and written essay; and three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. More than 225 students submitted written essays, and more than 50 submitted video essays.

All winners received a Flip Video^TM Camcorder. The overall champion in each category received an Apple iPad.

Essay contest winners are as follows:

Written

Grades 4-6: 

Adrianna Dague of Caston Elementary, Fulton County, Teacher: Mrs. Baxter

Grades 7-9:

Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School, Johnson County, Teacher: Mrs. Rapp

Grades 10-12: 

Morgan Williams of Rushville Consolidated High School, Rush County, Teacher: Blair Orme

Written Overall Winner

Grades 7-9:

Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School, Johnson County, Teacher: Mrs. Rapp

Video

Grades 4-6: 
Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools, Perry County, Teacher: Neal Stahly

Grades 7-9: 
Jacob Smith of Corydon Central High School, Harrison County, Teacher: Denise Harmon

Grades 10-12: 
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain

Video Overall Winner

Grades 10-12: 
Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School, Hancock County, Teacher: Joe McCain.

The contest is part of the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, an examination and celebration of the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world. Hoosiers can learn more by visiting the Food for Thought traveling exhibit, on display at the Indiana Statehouse March 11^th-16^th as part of Agriculture Appreciation Month.

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you,

your family and the environment.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

About the Indiana Humanities Council

The Indiana Humanities Council connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read, talk and listen. Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org.

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Photo 1:  Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is pictured with Overall Written Essay Winner, Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School; Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council and Overall Video Essay Winner, Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School.

Photo 2:  Lt. Governor Becky Skillman is pictured with Keira Amstutz, President and CEO of the Indiana Humanities Council (far right) and the attending Ag Essay Contest winners. From left to right: Kelly Beeker of Greenfield-Central High School; Morgan Williams of Rushville Consolidated High School; Bill Roberson of Perry Central Community Schools; Adrianna Dague of Caston Elementary and Casey Campbell of Franklin Community High School.


Additional photos of the individual winners are available upon request.

Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

Kristen Fuhs Wells, Communications Director

Indiana Humanities Council

317.638.1500 x125, kwells@indianahumanities.org

Jeannie Keating
Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture
One North Capitol, Suite 600
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 696-9695
jkeating@isda.in.gov