The Wilkes County Farm Bureau encourages sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students to enter the Georgia Farm Bureau Middle School Essay Contest. Students should address the topic “Georgia farmers are my heroes because…” The Wilkes County Farm Bureau Essay Contest will present $25.00 to first place winners in each grade and $50.00 to the county’s overall winner.

“Many children don’t understand how their food is grown. The purpose of the Farm Bureau Essay Contest is to encourage students to study Georgia agriculture and learn how their food is produced and the contributions the industry makes to our lives every day,” said Frank Bentley, Wilkes County Farm Bureau president. “Many people have an antiquated idea of what farming is like. Farmers, just like any business owner, must manage our employees, manage our finances and manage our farms, which means taking the best possible care of our livestock and protecting the soil and water on our farms so our crops will grow.”

To enter the contest, students should contact the Wilkes County Farm Bureau for an official title sheet and contest rules. All entries must be received at the Wilkes County Farm Bureau office by February 21.

“This contest is a great way for teachers and home-school parents to encourage their students to learn more about Georgia agriculture while meeting state standards for English and social studies curriculum,” said Amelia Wheatley, Wilkes County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee chairman.

The Wilkes County Farm Bureau Essay Contest winner will be entered in the Georgia Farm Bureau Fourth District competition. The district winner will receive a cash prize of $100. The ten GFB district winners will compete for the state prize of $150 cash. Previous state winners are not eligible.

The contest is sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau and coordinated by the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. For more information, contact the Wilkes County Farm Bureau office at 706-678-1760. You may also download more information about the contest by visiting http://www.gfb.org, then selecting GFB Programs and then Ag in the Classroom.

All essay entries must be officially submitted by the Wilkes Farm Bureau to the Georgia Farm Bureau home office.

Founded in 1937, Georgia Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general farm organization. Its volunteer members actively participate in local, district, and state activities that promote agriculture awareness to their non-farming neighbors. GFB also has 20 commodity advisory committees that give the organization input on issues pertinent to the major commodities grown in Georgia.