Indiana Students Encouraged to Participate in 3rd Annual "Our Food, Our Farmers" Essay Contest

Prizes for written essays include Apple iPad and Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 13, 2012)-Students in grades 4-12 are again encouraged to consider the impact of Indiana foods and farmers for the 3rd Annual Ag Essay Contest titled "Our Food, Our Farmers: Nourishing Generations of Hoosiers."  The essay competition includes three grade levels: 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12, and aligns with a number of state standards. A breakdown of the state core academic standards met by the essay contest is available on the Indiana's Family of Farmers website. Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2013. "This essay contest is a great way for teachers to meet curriculum demands while providing an interesting and engaging outlet for students to learn about one of the state's most important industries," said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. "By participating in this contest, we hope students will think, read and talk more about Indiana's rich agricultural history and its future." Sponsored by Indiana's Family of Farmers and Indiana Humanities, the essay contest encourages students to recognize and share all the ways Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their own lives -as well as in the lives of those around them.  For the 2013 competition, we are asking the same question of all three grade levels:  Describe how Indiana farmers 1) nourish our families, 2) our animals, and 3) our earth (soil). Please provide an example from each of the three areas. There will be a first and second place winner from each grade level. First place winners will receive an Apple iPad and second place winners will receive a Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones.  All winners will be invited to attend a special recognition ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse on March 5, 2013 in celebration of National Ag Day.  "Indiana's family farmers are committed to providing an abundant supply of healthy food and fiber to nourish Hoosiers, while also caring for our natural resources," said Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay. "We look forward to hearing from our next generation and learning how these foods impact their lives and the lives of their families."  Entry guidelines can be found at: www.indianahumanities.org or www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com. This contest is part of Indiana Humanities' two-year Spirit of Competition initiative. Spirit of Competition will celebrate the role competition plays in our lives by examining core elements of competition such as civility, rivalry, innovation, passion and failure.  ### 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.  Food for your family, from our family.  Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com. About Indiana Humanities Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage people to think, read and talk.  Learn more at www.indianahumanities.org. Contact information: Jeannie Keating                                                                        Manager of Media Relations                                           Indiana State Department of Agriculture                           317.696.9695                                                            jkeating@isda.in.gov                                               Kristen Fuhs Wells   Director of Communications  Indiana Humanities  317.638.1500 x125 kwells@indianahumanities.org

Wordless Wednesday: Food For Thought

Food For Thought: Last Stop!

After two years of traveling around the Hoosier state, the Food for Thought exhibit will make its last stop of the adventure in Evansville. The exhibit will be visiting the Central Branch of the Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library from Sept. 10 to Oct. 2, with other events taking place at various branch locations.

 
Stop by the exhibit to learn about Indiana’s unique and growing food culture. In addition to the exhibit, Evansville is offering a variety of classes and activities, ranging from a session about apples to a program on local foods. During the month, visitors can learn how to cook, and even how to make smart, cheap, and healthy grocery decisions!

Remember, this is the exhibit’s very last stop, so this is your final chance to check it out before it finds its permanent home! Get pumped about Evansville’s programming by watching this video. Also, get a preview of all the great events by checking out the schedule below. (All events will take place within the Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library system.)

  

For adults…
Sept. 12 – Food for Thought: Buying Local Food – Learn about supporting local food options and buying from local farms.  6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room, North Park Branch, 960 Koehler Dr.  For details, call 812-428-8237.

Sept. 19 – Apples: Fall’s Bounty – Susan Plassmeier, Vanderburgh County Extension Educator, will share apple recipes as well as canning and preserving tips.  6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room, Oaklyn Branch, 3001 Oaklyn Dr.  For details, call 812-428-8234.

Sept. 20 – Dollar Stretcher Series: Eating Healthy on a Budget – Learn how to select healthy foods that fit into your food budget.  6 p.m. in Browning Events Room B, Central Library.  Registration required.  To register, call 812-759-7625.

Sept. 24 – Country Kitchens Remembered – Author Marilyn Kluger joins Jane Jett of the Posey County Extension office in a program on preserving our past in memories and food.  A cookbook exchange will follow.  10 a.m. in Meeting Room, McCollough Branch, 5115 Washington Ave.  For details, call 812-428-8236.

Sept. 27 – Dollar Stretcher Series: Shopping Smart – Learn how to make smart choices at the grocery store, and evaluate how healthy your shopping cart really is.  6 p.m. in Large Group Room, Central Library.  Registration required.  To register, call 812-759-7625.


For teens…

Sept. 12 – Cooking with Mrs. Cookie – Learn about cooking techniques, menu planning, and more.  Plan and cook an entire meal at the end of this series.  3:30 p.m. at East Branch, 840 E. Chandler Ave.  Registration required.  To register, call 812-428-8231.

Sept. 19 – Cooking with Mrs. Cookie – Learn about cooking techniques, menu planning, and more.  Plan and cook an entire meal at the end of this series.  3:30 p.m. at East Branch, 840 E. Chandler Ave.  Registration required.  To register, call 812-428-8231.

Sept. 26 – Cooking with Mrs. Cookie – Learn about cooking techniques, menu planning, and more.  Plan and cook an entire meal at the end of this series.  3:30 p.m. at East Branch, 840 E. Chandler Ave.  Registration required.  To register, call 812-428-8231.

Food for Thought exhibit travels to Randolph County

By Kristin Hess of Indiana Humanities Council

The Food For Thought traveling exhibit continues its adventure across the state when it makes a stop at the Town Square Community Room in Winchester June 4 – 20. The Randolph County’s Convention and Visitors Bureau will partner to host the exhibit.

Stop by the exhibit (hours vary) to learn about Hoosier food through the engaging displays, and take part in engaging programs to discover how Randolph County has contributed to Indiana’s food culture.

All events will be held at the new Town Square Community Room in Winchester.

On June 4 (10 a.m.), there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Community Room and food stamp exercise led by local food pantries (11 a.m.). The Purdue Extension Offices will be presenting a canning demonstration in the Community Room (Noon) followed by interactive activity where kids can get their hands dirty with pie crusts. There will be a demonstration by Wick’s Pies on the art of pie making (3 p.m.).

On June 11 (4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.), the exhibit will hold special hours prior to the Annual Gourmet Gala at the Union City Arts Depot. On June 17 (6 p.m.), the “Just for Fun” parade kicks off JuneFest. Musical group, Memory Lane, will perform at 6:30 p.m.

On June 18 (Noon) watch as a panel of judges sample some of Randolph County’s best sugar cream pies in the Sugar Cream Pie Contest. Also on June 18, the JuneFest Awards for chili and car show. Enjoy live music starting at 4 p.m.

Learn more about the Food for Thought traveling exhibit here. And, watch videos from the Story Silo, here. 

Food for Thought Traveling Exhibit: Bloomington

Indiana Humanities’ Food For Thought traveling exhibit continues its adventure across the state when it makes a stop at Bloomington’s City Hall May 6 – 20. The Center on Aging and Community and the Bloomington Food Policy Council will partner to host the exhibit.

Stop by the exhibit to learn about Hoosier food through the engaging displays, and take part in engaging programs to discover how Bloomington has contributed to Indiana’s food culture.

On May 6, there will be a Senior Expo story tent at the Twin Lakes Sports and Recreation Center, where you can share your own fun, touching or ridiculous food stories with each other. Also on this day, check out showings of food-related videos from Food Flix, an intergenerational filmmaking initiative.

On May 7 and 14, head to the Food For Thought exhibit and pop by the Farmers Market as well.
Also on May 7, anthropologist Anya Peterson Royce will discuss the history and culture of chocolate. Did I mention there will be free samples? (this would make a great early Mother’s Day present!)

On May 16, Food For Thought is bringing a heart-healthy menu of songs and poems all about food, presented by Voces Novae and the Writers Guild, to City Hall.


May 28 is the date for the Intergenerational Picnic, held at Lake Lemon.

Also on the schedule is a discussion about African-American food traditions in Indiana. Stay tuned for details!
Learn more about the Food for Thought traveling exhibit here. And, watch videos from the Story Silo, here.


Indiana’s Family of Farmers is the presenting sponsor of Food for Thought, a two-year Indiana Humanities initiative that encourages Hoosiers to think, read and talk about food.

Statehouse displays capture love of Indiana food and its farmers

Media Advisory

INDIANAPOLIS (March 10, 2011) — As part of the celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month,  Indiana’s Family of Farmers (IFoF), a coalition of more than a dozen ag-related organizations, will provide ag-related displays that highlight the products and services Indiana farmers provide Indiana families. Hoosiers are encouraged to visit the Statehouse South Atrium March 14-16 to learn more about where their food comes from and the many Indiana farmers who provide the wide array of products needed to ensure a dependable supply of it -- as well as fuel and fiber.

As part of the effort to help consumers make that vital connection, visitors can enjoy an interactive experience with the traveling exhibit for the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative, which examines and celebrates the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture. The Food for Thought program considers food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world.  Here is a glimpse of the exhibit:

What:            Indiana’s Family of Farmers Ag Displays 

           Indiana Humanities Council’s Food for Thought Exhibit

When:          Monday, March 14 thru Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Time:            All day until 3 p.m. Wednesday

Where:         Indiana Statehouse, South Atrium

                         Indianapolis, IN

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. Food for your family, from our family.

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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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

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 4-6 Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 4-6

Adrianna Dague, 6^th Grader at Caston Elementary, Fulton County

Teacher:  Jennifer Baxter

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Farming is like a pebble thrown into a pond. It has a ripple effect on the whole community. Starting with part-time high school help who is working to afford the extras in life, or the full-time employee who is working to support their family.

There are a lot of businesses that wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for farming. From the veterinarian who cares for the many animals, to the fertilizer companies that help grow the crops.

As the ripple goes on, so do the effects on the community. The crops and animals will eventually travel from the farm to the grocery and clothing stores by way of the transportation system that is funded in part by the taxes that the many businesses related to agriculture pay.

Many colleges throughout Indiana offer agriculture degrees that help form the work base that is needed for future generations.

For my family farming is not a job or career, it is a way of life. It provides an opportunity for my parents to work from home. They’re always there to attend my many school and 4-H activities.

There is no other business that could cause such a ripple as farming.

Our Food, Our Farmers Video Winners

This week we will be sharing our winners from our video and essay contests, Our Food, Our Farmers.

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 11th-16th as part of Agriculture Appreciation Month.

We will post essay winners later this week.

News Release: Students encouraged to enter essay contest on food and its role in our lives

For Immediate Release

Students encouraged to enter essay contest on food and its role in our lives
Written and video essays accepted; prizes include Flip Video^TM Camcorders and Apple iPads

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 7, 2011)—Students in grades 4-12 are encouraged to capture their love of Indiana food and its farmers on paper or on video for the 2011 Ag Essay Contest titled “Our Food, Our Farmers.”

Sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers and the Indiana Humanities Council, the essay contest asks students to explain how Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their life—and in the lives of those around them. There are two categories of competition: video essay and written essay; and three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. Entries must be received by Feb. 15, 2011.

“Indiana’s family farms, large and small, are committed to providing a safe, stable and affordable food supply that feeds a growing population,” said Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay. “But today's farmers do more than feed and clothe us. They contribute to the economy, protect the environment and improve our health. We want to help young Hoosiers understand and appreciate this impact.”

A winner from each grade level, in each category, will receive a Flip Video^TM Camcorder and be invited to a presentation at the Indiana Statehouse on March 7, 2011. The overall winner in each category will receive an Apple iPad.

Entry guidelines can be found at www.FoodforThoughtIndiana.org , www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com and at http://vimeo.com/groups/agweek.

  

This contest is part of the Indiana Humanities Council’s two-year Food for Thought initiative. Food for Thought is an examination and celebration of the ways food helps to define Indiana’s culture, considering food in the context of history, law, politics, science, the arts, religion, ethnicity and our place in the world.

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers was formed in 2009. Its purpose is to bring awareness that Indiana’s farmers are among the top producers of grains, produce and meats you eat every day because we believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your families and the environment. That’s our promise:  FOOD FOR YOUR FAMILY, FROM OUR FAMILY. 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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Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

Kristen Fuhs Wells, Indiana Humanities Council

317.638.1500 x125, kwells@indianahumanities.org