News
Ag Day highlights importance of Indiana ag
To celebrate Ag Day, Indiana’s Family of Farmers challenged students to write an essay explaining the benefits of Indiana Agriculture. Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney says the contest is an opportunity to reach out to students outside of agriculture. “This idea of communicating across lines – I was going to say barriers, but it may not even be barriers,” he says. “It’s lifting up everybody’s knowledge of agriculture.”
To celebrate Ag Day, Indiana’s Family of Farmers challenged students to write an essay explaining the benefits of Indiana Agriculture. Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Ted McKinney says the contest is an opportunity to reach out to students outside of agriculture. “This idea of communicating across lines – I was going to say barriers, but it may not even be barriers,” he says. “It’s lifting up everybody’s knowledge of agriculture.”
Ted McKinney, Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Kendall Cash of Derby, Indiana took first place in the 4th to 6th grade division; Levi Spurgeon, a freshman at Indian Creek High School won the 7th to 9th grade category.
He says the essay was an opportunity to talk about agriculture’s importance to Indiana. “I just always talk about the history and how it’s the biggest employer in the state, and just how exciting and how big of a community it is,” he says.
Levi Spurgeon
Whiteland Community High School junior Emily Dougherty is the winner of the 10th to 12th grade category.
She tells Brownfield she was able to use her personal experience to write her essay. “I’ve benefited from it,” she says. “And I just wanted to show others that they’re affected by agriculture three times a day no matter what. Agriculture is a huge part of my life and I want to show others its importance as well.”
Emily Dougherty
Each winner received a $250 cash prize and were recognized during the Ag Day ceremony at the Statehouse.
Add Comment