ALBANY — Students throughout New York recently participated in the annual New York Agriculture in the Classroom “Be Aware of New York Agriculture” Contest.

About 300 entries were sent on to the state level, representing hundreds more from county contests, schools, and home school families. The categories for the different grade levels — Pre-K though 6 — include artwork, slogans, poems, stories, essays, and posters that help students learn about the importance of agriculture to New York.

Winners in each category receive prizes ranging from T-shirts to savings bonds, and the winning entries will be on display at the New York State Fair in the Youth Building.

The members of Sigma Alpha, Cornell University’s professional agriculture sorority, judged the entries. Virginia Knight, a Cornell junior and member of the judging team for a second year, said that the quality of the 2007 entries was really creative. “My sorority sisters have been looking forward to this contest all semester,” Knight said.

Teacher guides and student WebQuests are available at the Ag in the Classroom Web site to help teachers make the contest both fun and educational. “Seeing all the entries come in is my favorite time of year,” NYAITC staffer Melissa Snyder said.

New York Agriculture in the Classroom and the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education have sponsored the Be Aware of New York Agriculture Contest since 1996. New York Agriculture in the Classroom is a partnership of New York Farm Bureau, Cornell University, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets and the NYS Education Department.

The program works with cooperative extension educators, teachers, and Farm Bureau members throughout the state to foster an understanding of agriculture and the food system.

2007 Winners:

Pre-K Kotaro Shima, Harrison, (Westchester County)

Kindergarten Luke Webb, Grand Island, (Erie County)

Grade 1 Nicholas Losh, Homer, (Cortland County)

Grade 2 Marcus Concha, Rushford, (Cattaraugus County)

Grade 3 Nicholas Terlecky, Grand Island, (Erie County)

Grade 4 Claudia McGlew, Cattaraugus, (Cattaraugus County)

Grade 5 Rhoda Marshall, Otto, (Cattaraugus County)

Grade 6 Marianthi Docous, Oneida, (Oneida County)