PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
March 21, 2007 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856 (office) (402) 440-7251 (cell)

LINCOLN - To celebrate National Ag Week, Governor Dave Heineman and Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach today announced the winners of the 2007 "Nebraska Agriculture More Than You Imagine" poster contest.

The winners were revealed at a press conference where Governor Heineman also signed a proclamation declaring March 18-24th as Ag Week in Nebraska.

The contest, sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, generated well over 1,000 entries created by first through sixth grade students from across Nebraska.

"Agriculture is Nebraska's number one industry, and it's important that Nebraska's youth understand the importance of agriculture to our state," said Director Ibach. "We are always pleased to see the quality of the posters that are entered."

Gov. Heineman said, "I want to congratulate each of the winners being recognized this year. Nebraska has a rich tradition of honoring our rural roots, and this contest is a great way to make sure that our young people are aware of the role our farmers and ranchers have in ensuring Nebraska's continued vitality."

The winners are:

First and Second grade division:

First Place - Tage Rothchild, Second Grade, Superior South School in Superior.
Second Place - Mazie Washington, First Grade, Holy Ghost Catholic School in Omaha.
Third Place - Shantel Preister, Second Grade, St. John the Baptist School in Petersburg.
Governor's Choice Award - Evin Miller, Second Grade, Superior South School in Superior.

Third and Fourth grade division:

First Place - Fiona Fitzgerald, Third Grade, Saint Teresa's School in Lincoln.
Second Place - Makenzie Opfer, Third Grade, Holy Ghost Catholic School in Omaha.
Third Place - Stephanie Urbina, Fourth Grade, Wakefield Community School in Wakefield.
Governor's Choice Award - Krista Ruther, Fourth Grade, Keya Paha County School in Springview.

Fifth and Sixth grade division:

First Place - Kathie Nguyen, Fifth Grade, Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island.
Second Place - Dutton Hughes, Fifth Grade, Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island.
Third Place - Kathryn Christensen, Fifth Grade, Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island.
Governor's Choice Award - Jake Meyer, Fifth Grade, Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island.

Winning Posters

MEDIA: If you would like one of the posters e-mailed to you for use in your publication, please contact me at ckamm@agr.ne.gov.