By Blake Jackson
Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell has announced the winners of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s annual Poster and Essay Contest.
The contest, themed "Kentucky Agriculture Makes Me Proud," invited participants to express their pride in Kentucky agriculture through both written words and artwork.
"Kentucky residents can be proud of so many things happening in their state. One of those that’s closest to my heart is our dedicated farmers and our agricultural roots,” Commissioner Shell said. “Showcasing how that pride thrives within the community emphasizes the vital role of agriculture in Kentucky. Congratulations to each of these winners. They have shown their gratitude and pride through these pieces of art, both written and drawn."
The contest saw a total of 1,001 entries from students across Kentucky. Each winning entry was awarded a $100 prize, sponsored by Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom.
These winning pieces will be displayed at the 2025 Kentucky State Fair in Louisville this August. On May 10, the winners will be honored at the University of Kentucky’s E.S. Good Barn, where they will also be guests at the University of Kentucky versus Oklahoma University baseball game at Kentucky Proud Park.
The digital artwork winner was Amber Willequer, an eighth grader at Barren County Middle School.
The poster winners by grade level are as follows:
- Kindergarten: Eliza Langley, Creekside Elementary School
- First grade: Lane Staples, Hiseville Elementary School
- Second grade: Diezel Rager, Muhlenberg South Elementary School
- Third grade: Landon Staples, Hiseville Elementary School
- Fourth grade: Adalin Rulon, Harrison Elementary School
- Fifth grade: Lydia Strode, Hiseville Elementary School
- Sixth grade: Deklen Campbell, Royal Springs Middle School
- Seventh grade: Chloe Adkinson, West Hardin Middle School
- Eighth grade: Ann Kathrine Wright, Barren County Middle School
- Ninth grade: Kaitlin Rulon, Lafayette High School
- Tenth grade: Blakey Beth Callahan, South Laurel High School
- Eleventh grade: Alana Houchens, Barren County High School
- Twelfth grade: Aubrey Morris, Mercer County High School
Essay winners include:
- Second grade: John Clayton Lee, Tompkinsville Elementary School
- Third grade: Aria Mackley, St. Mary School
- Fourth grade: Colt McFarland, Paris Elementary School
- Fifth grade: Ashleigh McDonald, Waco Elementary School
- Sixth grade: McCoy Adwell, Bourbon Co. Middle School
- Seventh grade: Janiyah Ball, West Hardin Middle School
- Eighth grade: Mar’Ciah Jackson, Royal Springs Middle School
- Ninth grade: Branham Stilts, Metcalfe County High School
- Tenth grade: Ava Hamilton, Pikeville High School
- Eleventh grade: Claire Myatt, Monroe County High School
- Twelfth grade: Evan Hamilton, Henry County High School
Photo Credit: kentucky-agricultural-board
Categories: Kentucky, Business, Education