NJ DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SEEKS STUDENT ARTISTS
Annual Poster Contest Focuses on Importance of Soil
For Immediate Release: December 3, 2008Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
(TRENTON) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles Kuperus today encouraged students in grades 2-12 to participate in the 2009 Conservation Poster Contest sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Soil Conservation Committee, the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts and the local Soil Conservation Districts.
Secretary Kuperus said through illustrating this year’s theme, “DIG IT! The Secrets of Soil,” students will be able to learn about and convey an important conservation message.
“Almost all of the minerals and nutrients we need for life and to keep us healthy come from fields, gardens, trees and pastures,” said Kuperus. “Every fruit of vegetable we eat gets its nutrients from the soil in which it grows. By creating a poster, students can highlight their artistic talents while exploring their connections to the natural world.”
Local Soil Conservation Districts will judge the entries and submit their first place winners for the statewide contest. State winners will be awarded cash awards of $200, $100, and $50. The Grand Champion poster will be reproduced onto a pocket-folder and distributed throughout the state.
Entry forms are available on the New Jersey Department of Agriculture web site at: www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/pdf/PosterBroch.pdf.
For rules and deadlines, please contact the local Soil Conservation Districts. For a listing of the district’ contact information, visit www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/anr/nrc/conservdistricts.html.
New Jersey has 15 soil conservation districts, following county boundaries, which implement the New Jersey Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act, which governs certain aspects of new development. These semi-autonomous bodies are locally governed and play a strong role in the protection of New Jersey’s natural resources.
