Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell announced on May 7 the winners of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s annual Poster and Essay Contest. The contest, themed “Bluegrass Roots, Agriculture Strong,” invited students to express the strength of agriculture in Kentucky through art and writing.
The contest highlights the importance of agriculture in Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State. By engaging students from various grades, the event aims to foster appreciation for agricultural heritage among young people.
“Kentucky, known as the Bluegrass State, has deep roots in agriculture. That relationship was at the heart of this year’s annual Poster and Essay Contest,” Commissioner Jonathan Shell said. “Seeing all the wonderful ways our students displayed Kentucky’s agriculture strength was encouraging for our future. Congratulations to each of these winners.”
A total of 711 entries were received for this year’s competition. Each winner will receive a $100 award from Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom and their work will be displayed at the 2026 Kentucky State Fair in Louisville this August. An awards ceremony honoring winning students is scheduled for May 30 at Gallrein Farms in Shelbyville.
Katie Mason, a ninth-grader at LaRue County High School, won in the digital category with her original artwork or photos. The essay winners include Cason Shaw (first grade), Reagan Morgan (second grade), Rhett Claypool (third grade), Eli LaCasse (fourth grade), Colt McFarland (fifth grade), Grayson Johnson (sixth grade), Lyric Gerton (seventh grade), Lauren Forbis (eighth grade), Bryson Lewis (ninth grade), Embry Stivers (tenth grade), Ava Hamilton (eleventh grade) and Cyrus Bivens (twelfth grade). Poster winners span kindergarten through twelfth grades from schools across Kentucky.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture operates as a state agency within Kentucky’s executive branch and provides resources and programs across all counties in Kentucky, according to the official website. The department obtains funding through grants for county fairs and agricultural projects, celebrates agricultural education during designated months, uses facilities in Frankfort for administrative functions, and aims to enhance Kentucky’s agricultural economy through strategic partnerships.
Looking ahead, student entries will be showcased during major state events such as the upcoming fair—a reflection on how educational initiatives can inspire continued interest in local farming traditions.
