MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Young artists and storytellers were honored during the Alabama Farm-City Awards livestream May 12 for showcasing how farmers “Keep Alabama Growing.”
Students from Autauga, Houston, Lawrence and Shelby counties took home top honors in the state Farm-City poster, essay and video contests. The contestants earned the opportunity to compete for state awards by winning their county contests last fall.
Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms said the “Keep Alabama Growing” theme encouraged competitors to explore the diversity and importance of agriculture and forestry.
“Since 1955, Farm-City Week has been observed for seven days before Thanksgiving as a time to foster understanding between farmers and their city neighbors,” Helms said. “In Alabama, the poster, essay and video programs have the most lasting impact on the Farm-City mission because they plant seeds of understanding with students who may never live on a farm.”
Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC) sponsored cash prizes for the winning contestants and matching awards for their schools. AFC serves farmers, gardeners and homeowners with about 80 Quality Co-op stores in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee.
Poster Contest, Kindergarten – Third Grades
- First place and $200 — Sam Thornton, first grade, Heard Elementary School in Houston County
- Second place and $100 — Danie Fielder, third grade, Munford Elementary School in Talladega County
Poster Contest, Fourth – Sixth Grades
- First place and $200 — Kendall McVay, fourth grade, Moulton Elementary School in Lawrence County
- Second place and $100 — Will Thornton, sixth grade, Carver School of Math, Science and Technology in Houston County
Eight students received an honorable mention and $50 from AFC through the poster contest. They are:
- Asa Thompson, fourth grade, Pike Liberal Arts in Pike County
- Maggie Phillips, first grade, Good Hope Primary in Cullman County
- Kadence Provens, third grade, Caldwell Elementary in Jackson County
- Corey Ellis, second grade, Bear Exploration Center in Montgomery County
- David Thomas Aldridge, fifth grade, homeschooled in Fayette County
- Mattie Wisener, sixth grade, Arab Junior High in Marshall County
- Greer Jones, fourth grade, Ariton Elementary in Dale County
- Emerson Champagne, third grade, Southside Elementary in Etowah County
The 2020 Alabama Farm-City Calendar will feature poster contest winners and honorees.
Essay Contest, Seventh – Ninth Grades:
- First place and $300 — Audrey Teaster, freshman, Autauga Academy in Autauga County
- Second place and $200 — Ciara Laird, freshman, New Life Christian Academy in Pike County
Essay Contests, 10th – 12th Grades:
- First place and $300 — Emma Wendland, senior, Autauga Academy in Autauga County
- Second place and $200 — Alex Simmons, junior, Elmore County High School in Elmore County
Video contest:
- First place and $300 — Marion Bell, junior, Homeschooled in Shelby County
- Second place and $200 — Rio Murray, junior, Munford High
