Essay Contest Asks “What Are The Benefits of Indiana Agriculture?”

Hoosier students have the chance to give their thoughts on how agriculture helps the state in an essay contest sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers.

“What are the benefits of Indiana agriculture?” is the essay theme. Students are encouraged to look at how farming plays a positive role in the environment and economy of the state.

The contest is open to any Indiana student in grades 4-12. Entrants are divided into groups by grade, 4th-6th, 7th-9th and 10th-12th. The word limit for 4th-6th graders is 250; 7th-9th graders are limited to 450 words and 10th-12th graders may write up to 600 words. Entries are evaluated against the Indiana Department of Education’s ISTEP writing rubric.

All entries must be made electronically through a link on the IFoF website, www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com. The deadline is Feb. 6.

One student per grade group will be recognized as the winner and receive $250. IFoF will recognize winners at the Statehouse during the organization’s Ag Day Celebration, March 18, 2015.

For more information and a complete list of rules, visit the IFoF website, www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

Teachers: Happy Holidays! Enjoy this early gift: State Core Academic Standards aligned to essay contest

Meet State Standards for grades 4-12 in English/language arts, science and social studies. Students can win an Apple iPad®

INDIANAPOLIS (December 9, 2011) — A breakdown of the State Core Academic Standards met by the 2^nd annual Our Food, Our Farmers essay contest is now available on the Indiana’s Family of Farmers and Indiana Humanities websites.

The analysis was done this past fall by a third party consultant to determine Indiana academic standards met by the contest for grades 4 – 12.  Through this essay contest, academic standards can be met at all grade levels in the areas of English/language arts, science and social studies. Additional academic standards can be met for high school students in the areas of biology, economics, geography and world history.

“This essay contest offers a ‘win-win’ for all. Teachers meet both their curriculum needs and can offer their students a new and interesting project,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “We get a better opportunity to expand the contest throughout our state schools and provide students with an opportunity to think, read and talk more about Indiana’s rich agricultural history and its bright future.”

Sponsored by Indiana’s Family of Farmers and Indiana Humanities, this year’s contest explores Indiana’s role as a global agricultural leader and is titled “Our Food, Our Farmers: Feeding the World.” Students have the opportunity to write an essay about all the ways Indiana agriculture plays a positive role in their own lives –as well as in the lives of those around them. The essay competition includes three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2012.

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 Kodak PlaySport camcorder.  All winners will be invited to attend a special recognition ceremony on March 8, 2012 in Celebration of National Ag Day.

Entry guidelines and State Standards can be found at www.indianahumanities.org or www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

This contest is part of Indiana Humanities’ two-year Spirit of Competition initiative, which  celebrates the role competition plays in our lives by examining core elements such as civility, rivalry, innovation, passion and failure. 

Teachers: Give your students something to chew on with the 2nd Annual Our Food, Our Farmers essay contest

Prizes for written essays include Apple iPad® and Kodak PlaySport camcorder

INDIANAPOLIS (November 16, 2011)—Students in grades 4-12 are again encouraged to “chew on” the impact of Indiana foods and farmers for the 2^nd Annual Ag Essay Contest titled “Our Food, Our Farmers: Feeding the World.” This year’s contest explores Indiana’s role as a global agricultural leader.

“The Our Food, Our Farmers contest encourages students to learn about the role Hoosier farmers and food scientists play in a competitive global marketplace,” 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. The essay competition includes three grade levels: 4-6; 7-9 and 10-12. Entries must be received by Feb. 1, 2012.

Grade Level/Essay Theme:

·         Grades 4-6:

What is the World Food Prize?  Profile either of the two Indiana winners and describe why their work is important.

·         Grades 7-9:

Indiana is a national leader in the production of many of the crops, livestock and food products that the world consumes.  How does this benefit our state?

·         Grades 10-12:  

How do Indiana farmers, companies and researchers play a role in making food products better for consumers?

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 Kodak PlaySport camcorder.  All winners will be invited to attend a special recognition ceremony on March 8, 2012 in Celebration of National Ag Day.

“Indiana’s family farms, large and small, are committed to providing healthy food for Hoosiers,” said Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay. “But today's farmers also compete in a global market, which requires research, sound business models and a deep commitment to the environment. We want to help young Hoosiers understand and appreciate the work being done and impact being made from right here in Indiana.”

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.

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It's Apple Pickin' Time!

By Jen from Mess Hall to Bistro and Real Farmwives of America and Friends

With four kids ages 7 to 15, it’s nearly impossible to find something they all enjoy and doesn’t break the bank.

One of our family’s favorite things to do in the fall is head out to the local orchard and go apple picking. It’s one of the times we get to see the rare sighting of a 15 year old smile.

We don’t just limit our apple picking weekends to the six of us; we usually bring along some friends and, of course, grandpa.

The kids (and the big kids!) love riding in the back of his truck through the orchard as we fill bags with different kinds of apples.

 And what’s a trip to the orchard without some apple sampling!

After lots of hard work out in the orchard, we step into the store to check out the other fresh produce and get an apple cider slushie!

After a morning of picking, we head home and can our bounty. The kids love to help me out in the kitchen making apple butter, sauce, pie filling and caramel apple jam! If it was up to the kids, we would pick bushels of apples every weekend; I just wish we had a place to store them all!

Visit my blog at http://messhalltobistro.blogspot.com

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 10-12 Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 10-12

Morgan Williams, 12^th Grader at Rushville Consolidated High School

Teacher:  Blair Orme

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Indiana agriculture has influenced our lives in more ways than we realize. Without our farms, life as we know it today would cease to exist. Agriculture is essential to our lives. Farmers not only feed and provide us with clothing, but they also protect our environment and boost our economy. Farms keep our way of life going.

In recent years, agriculture has come to mean more than just farming the land and feeding our population. Farmers in Indiana and all across the nation constantly develop new ways to protect and preserve our environment. They discover new ways to preserve our soil and farm the land more efficiently. These days, agriculturalists help keep our food safe to eat, efficiently produce more products, and help our economy grow and prosper.

The safety of our food has become a debated issue within the United States. Agricultural research has developed new ways to farm the land efficiently without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Researchers have found ways to keep food safe, while still protecting our crops from harmful insects and other sorts of animals. Regulations on how much of each chemical can be used and how much can be used have been established. Also, we have seen an increase in organic food on grocery shelves. More consumers want to see their food grown in more natural ways, with fewer chemicals.

Agriculture has grown to be more efficient by discovering ways to plant more and harvest more. Nowadays, farms harvest a significantly larger amount of crops within a year. With more being produced, agriculture has stimulated our sinking economy. The food and other goods produced from our farmers are essentials that consumers buy, and this all keeps our economy going.

Agriculture affects our everyday lives in positive ways that we tend to overlook. We take our food, our clothing, and our farms for granted more often than we should. We need to remember that without farms and rural communities, life could not go on. Indiana agriculture improves our lives and helps make this world a better place for everyone.

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 7-9 and Overall Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 7-9; Overall

Casey Campbell, 9th Grader at Franklin Community High School

Teacher:  Sarah Rapp

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Let’s think for a second. This morning you most likely had breakfast. Eggs? Bacon?

Follow the paths that your breakfast took. Those eggs came from a chicken. That chicken was on a farm, run by a farmer. That crispy bacon on your plate came from a hot, which came from a hog operation. Think of the work those farmers did for you. The care, effort, and time those farmers gave to give you one meal. American farmers feed and clothe us, contribute to the economy, protect the environment, improve our health and so much more.

American farmers feed you and me. They spend countless hours of hard work, effort and time into pulling food on the table, whether it’s the farmer in Florida or the grain producer in Iowa laboring over wheat to make your birthday cake. Your shirt was one of the 1,217 shirts that came from one 500 pound cotton bale! So where would we be without American farmers? Hungry and Naked, But, American farmers do much more than that.

Farmers do more than feed us. They feed the world’s economy. Agriculture employs about 14 percent of America’s workforce and accounts for more than 5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Agriculture and the economy are best friends. The crops fail, prices and demand go up. The economy goes bad, agriculture goes down with it.

If anyone protects the environment, it’s farmers. Farmers care of the land and protect it. They preserve the land by soil and water conservation. Because without the land, we couldn’t farm. They are for controlled and planned urbanization. On their farms, they increase energy efficiency. Farmers do so much to protect our planet.

Farmers improve our health by giving us a continual supply of high quality food and fibers. Farmers give us an abundance of goods to keep us healthy. They care about the quality of their products. They give us adequate nutrition we need for excellent health! Without the supply, we would no longer be here!

American agriculture plays an enormous role in my life, even if I didn’t live on a farm. Farmers keep me fed and clothed, they even improve my health. Not to mention how they protect the environment and improve the economy. So, thank you to all of Indiana’s farmers for doing what you do.

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.

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