PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
March 18, 2008 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Today, as part of the celebration of National Ag Week, Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach announced the winners of the 2008 NDA poster contest.

This year's contest marked the fifth year for the NDA-sponsored event, which generated 1,152 entries from first through sixth grade students from across Nebraska. The theme for the contest was "Nebraska Agriculture: See Us Grow."

"This contest allows the students to think about agriculture and how it affects their lives. It helps them understand the importance of the industry to our state," said Director Ibach. "I would like to congratulate the winners, and thank all of the students and teachers for taking the time to learn more about Nebraska's number one industry agriculture."

The winners are:

First and Second grade division:

First Place - Megan Allen from Holy Ghost School in Omaha.
Second Place - Joel Hanson from St. Bonaventure in Columbus.
Third Place - Micah Dolnicek from Lawrence Nelson in Lawrence.
Governor's Choice Award - Shanna Utecht from South School in Superior.

Third and Fourth grade division:

First Place - Erin Cejka from Gretna Elementary in Gretna.
Second Place - Jill Schindler from St. Boniface in Elgin.
Third Place - Shaelyn Vering from St. Wenceslaus School in Dodge.
Governor's Choice Award - Ashley Nichols from Wilcox-Hildreth Public School in Wilcox.

Fifth and Sixth grade division:

First Place - Cornelio Jaimes from Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island.
Second Place - Sarah Herzinger from West Point Beemer Elementary in Beemer.
Third Place - Cristian Nava from Knickrehm Elementary in Grand Island.
Governor's Choice Award - Rebecca Harder from Syracuse Elementary in Syracuse.

Winning Posters

MEDIA: If you would like a pdf file of a winning poster e-mailed to you, please contact Christin Kamm at (402) 471-6856 or email christin.kamm@nebraska.gov.

Information on National Ag Week can be found on the NDA web page at www.agr.ne.gov. Logos, an editorial, Nebraska agricultural facts, and public services announcements with Governor Heineman and NDA Director Greg Ibach are available for your use.