COLUMBUS, Ohio — Those at the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) know the importance of agriculture; producers also know the vitality of the state’s No. 1 business. Now, schoolchildren in grades K-12 are encouraged to express why they think agriculture is a neat thing.

The ODA is accepting submissions for the 2012 “Agriculture is Cool” Creative Expressions contest. Ohio children enrolled in school or home-schooled during the 2011-12 academic year have until July 9 to capture their personal interpretation of why Ohio agriculture is cool, for their chance to win two free entrance tickets to the fair as well as two tickets to see The Band Perry at the Ohio State Fair.

Grades K-2 can compete in photography, drawing or painting. Grades 3-12 can compete in photography, drawing, painting and video production. One winner from each age group (grade K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) will be chosen.

“This is our second year with this contest, and last year we had 40 submissions,” said Erica Pitchford, agriculture communications director at ODA. “We had entries from across the state and a mix of those living in urban and rural settings. We expect a lot more involvement this season.”

All entries will be judged by a panel that may include representatives from the ODA, office of the governor, the Ohio Expo Center and professionals in the areas of video production, photography, drawing, painting and other visual arts. Judging will be based on the student’s visual representation of the “Agriculture is Cool” theme; if it accurately reflects 21st century agriculture; creativity and use of Ohio images; and quality of work.

Contest winners will be notified no later than July 20. Award winners will be recognized by the office of the governor and other state officials at the Ohio State Fair on July 25 at the Taste of Ohio Cafe.

In addition to this contest, the Agriculture is Cool program at the State Fair will consist of a series of interactive stations designed to teach visitors about the many ways Ohio’s largest industry impacts facets of their everyday lives. “Children of any age can go through the interactive station and learn a lot about agriculture along the way,” Pitchford said.

Through the stations students will learn the many ways Ohio’s largest industry affects their lives. Stops include stations dealing with modern dairy farming; animal care; modern tractors; the beef industry and nutrition; recycling; soybean and corn production and their various uses in food, fuel and other modern items; how barns protect Ohio animals and keep them healthy; eggs and poultry breeds; how wool is spun into yard; and how to protect oneself from harmful bacteria.

Upon exiting the interactive stations that day, fourth-grade students are eligible to win one of four $500 cash scholarships provided by the Ohio State Fair Youth Reserve Program. To enter, students need to highlight what they learned with a typed, one-page essay or creative story. Two $2,500 classroom grants are available for the fourth-grade teachers. A random drawing for the winners will take place at the fair. Teachers are required to submit their contact information online and will be sent an admission voucher.

“The great thing about this program is that it helps young people understand you don’t have to live on a farm to have agriculture touch your life every day,” said ODA Director David Daniels. “By exploring Ohio agriculture at the fair, families get the opportunity to see how farmers today are using state-of-the-art technology to grow food. It’s pretty incredible.”

The Agriculture is Cool program was inspired by the initiative of Gov. John R. Kasich. It is now a joint venture between ODA, the Ohio State Fair and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. For additional information about the program or contest, call 614-752-9817 or visit www.agri.ohio.gov/agiscool