Lt. Governor, Department of Agriculture Director Celebrate 2017 “Ag is Cool!” Art Contest Winners

Winners Recognized during Ohio State Fair’s Opening Day

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (July 26, 2017) – Lt. Governor Mary Taylor and Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David T. Daniels announced today the winners of the 2017 “Agriculture is Cool!” visual arts contest. Ohio children enrolled in school or home schooled during the 2016-2017 academic year shared their personal interpretation of why Ohio agriculture is “cool” for their chance to win a trip to the Ohio State Fair.

Entries, which included photographs, drawings and paintings, were judged in four different age categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Twelve entries were selected as winners in their respective categories.

K-2 Photography: Connor Best, Rayland, Jefferson County, age 6

K-2 Drawing: Jack Mawhorr, Ashville, Pickaway County, age 6

K-2 Painting: Luke Mautz, Chillicothe, Ross County, age 7

3-5 Photography: Aubree Topp, Botkins, Shelby County, age 10

3-5 Drawing: Isabell Rumbaugh, Deshler, Henry County, age 10

3-5 Drawing: Kami Anthony, Brilliant, Jefferson County, age 10

3-5 Painting: Avarie Lisi, Chillicothe, Ross County, age 11

6-8 Photography: Abby Breece, Alvada, Hancock County, age 12

6-8 Drawing: Brighid Donnelly, Youngstown, Mahoning County, 14

9-12 Drawing: Audrey Schroeder, Bryan, Williams County, age 14

9-12 Painting: Regan Draeger, Lindsey, Sandusky County, age 15

Director’s Choice: Columbus School for Girls Form I, Columbus, Franklin County, age 7

The winners were honored by Lt. Governor Taylor, Ohio Agriculture Director Daniels and Ohio State Fair Manager Virgil Strickler at a ceremony at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. During the ceremony, the Columbus School for Girls Form I Class was announced as the “Director’s Choice” winner, for their video “I Can’t Stop From Farming.”

“Every year I’m impressed by the work and creativity of our ‘Ag is Cool!’ winners,” said Director Daniels. “These are the boys and girls who will become the men and women that grow, raise and process the food that feeds the world and we are proud to support and encourage them any way we can.”

This year marks the seventh year of the art contest and the “Ag is Cool!” educational program that is featured at the Ohio State Fair, July 26-Aug. 6.