Look for ag placemats

Colorful placemats can be found at area restaurants and coffee shops to celebrate National Agriculture Day in the month of March.

These placemats showcase the winning designs of two Livingston County students who were participants in a Placemat Design Contest that was sponsored by the Agricultural Literacy Partnership of Livingston County’s Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm Bureau, and University of Illinois Extension.

The theme, “Home Grown In Illinois” encouraged students in grades 1-4 to recognize the many things that Illinois agriculture provides to them. Students traced familiar items (foods, clothing, or fuel) back to the Illinois farm, where it begins. There were two grade divisions for judging, Grades 1-2 and Grades 3-4. Awards were presented to the top three entries in each division and the first place entries now have their designs printed on full-color placemats. These Ag Day placemats will be in area restaurants the week of March 18-24, 2018.

The winners are:

Grades 1 & 2

1st Place Mark Knapp – Flanagan Elementary (Grade 2)

2nd Place Sam Dewald – Graymont Grade School (Grade 2)

3rd Place Maci Cooper – Flanagan Elementary (Grade 1)

Grades 3 & 4

1st Place Joseph Prickett – Flanagan Elementary (Grade 4)

2nd Place Emme Wallace - Flanagan Elementary (Grade 4)

3rd Place Megan Wiechmann – St. Mary’s School (Grade 4)

Kindergarten Students Learn That Farmers Grow Many Different Things!

In a separate contest, Kindergarten students received coloring sheets using the same theme. Students learned that Illinois farmers grow many different crops and care for animals that become our food, fiber and fuel. Every contest participant received the “ABC’s of Illinois Agriculture” coloring book.

The top three entrants are:

1st Place Evelyn Hinz – St. Mary’s School

2nd Place Skylar Burke – St. Paul School

3rd Place Reid Gray – St. Mary’s School