USDA Announces 2008 Earth Day Steward Of The Year

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31071032.post-32946795628903501992008-05-07T15:37:00.002-04:002008-05-07T15:44:28.805-04:00USDA Announces 2008 Earth Day Steward Of The YearStudent from Exeter Elementary School Recognized "Earth Day Every Day in a Rural Maine Community” was the theme of a poster contest held at the Exeter Elementary School this month. In recognition of Earth Day 2008 (celebrated on April 22) the USDA agencies of the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development held the contest to get students thinking about the important role they play in protecting the environment. Exeter Elementary School’s 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes participated in the contest. Approximately 50 students took advantage of the opportunity to show USDA representatives, their teachers, and their classmates what Earth Day in a rural community means to them. USDA officials advised them to think of the little things they do each day, as they add up to a big difference for the environment. As a result, three children were recognized for their Earth Day art. Runner-up winners were Trevor Tibbetts of Mrs. Caron’s 5th grade class, and William Strauch of Mrs. Grant’s 3rd grade class. The First Place prize of an Earth Day 2008 Steward of the Year Award Medal went to Dayle Iverson of Mrs. Jarzabek’s 4th grade class. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_jhcYj-dKz6A/SCIGiYLuxCI/AAAAAAAACSE/XUvf1FJhvkA/s1600-h/Photo+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_jhcYj-dKz6A/SCIGiYLuxCI/AAAAAAAACSE/XUvf1FJhvkA/s320/Photo+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197724107615945762" border="0" /></a> Dayle’s picture depicts a rural farm scene including a red barn, a sign near a pond which reads “No Littering,” and a recycle bin. Written at the bottom of the poster are the words “Keep Earth Clean Day Today.” All students will receive Healthy Earth Steward Certificates for their participation in the contest. On hand to present the first place award were representatives from the sponsoring USDA agencies: Lucia Brown, Farm Loan Officer and Outreach Coordinator for Farm Service Agency; Elaine Tremble, Public Affairs Specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Emily Cannon, Public Affairs Specialist for Rural Development. They also served as judges for the contest. The majority of USDA’s clients are located in rural communities, which was the reason for the emphasis on rural communities. Each USDA agency sponsoring the poster contest has a mission dedicated to preserving and enhancing rural communities.Chris Brewer - MACD Web Masternoreply@blogger.com