FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Poster and Essay Contest will add a category for digital submissions this year along with the traditional poster and essay competitions.

The theme of this year’s contest is “Kentucky Farmers — Our American Heroes.”

“Kentucky farmers raise animals and plants that feed, clothe, and shelter us. But some of them also served in the military to protect our country,” Agriculture Commissioner James Comer said. “I look forward to seeing how Kentucky’s young people express themselves on how farmers are their heroes.”

The digital category will accept photos, including those modified using Photoshop, and original digital artwork. The new category will be open to all Kentucky students, kindergarten through grade 12, and will present awards for the first- , second- , and third-place entries statewide. Entries must be submitted in printed form, accompanied by the high-resolution file in JPEG, PDF, or PNG formats.

The poster and essay contests also are open to students in kindergarten through grade 12. Statewide winners will be selected in each grade.

Each winner will receive $100 and will be recognized at the Kentucky Agriculture Day Celebration in April.

Students may submit either a poster, essay, or digital submission based on the contest theme. All artwork, photos, and writing must be exclusively student created. Essays, posters, and digital submissions will be featured in department publications and special events, including the 2014 Kentucky State Fair in August in Louisville.

Entries must be submitted to the KDA and postmarked by March 7. Winners will be notified by March 17.

For more information, including complete contest rules and entry forms, go to www.kyagr.com/marketing/poster-essay-contest.html or contact Elizabeth McNulty at (502) 564-4983 or elizabeth.mcnulty@ky.gov.

Source: Press release courtesy of Kentucky Department of Agriculture