Young artists and storytellers were honored during the Alabama Farm-City Awards livestream May 12 for showcasing how farmers “Keep Alabama Growing.” 

Students from Autauga, Houston, Lawrence and Shelby counties took home top honors in the state Farm-City poster, essay and video contests. Contestants competed for state awards after winning county contests last fall. 

Alabama Farm-City Committee Chairman Jeff Helms said the “Keep Alabama Growing” theme encouraged competitors to explore the diversity and importance of agriculture and forestry.

“Since 1955, Farm-City Week has been observed the week before Thanksgiving to foster understanding between farmers and city neighbors,” Helms said. “In Alabama, the poster, essay and video programs plant seeds of understanding with students who may never live on a farm.”

Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC) provided cash prizes for winning contestants and schools. AFC serves farmers, gardeners and homeowners with about 80 Quality Co-op stores in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee.

An awards luncheon was originally planned for April 2 in Birmingham but was canceled due to restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19. View winning posters, essays and video at AlabamaFarmCity.org. 

Poster contest, Kindergarten-Third Grades

• First place and $200 — Sam Thornton, first grade, Heard Elementary School in Houston County
• Second place and $100 — Danie Fielder, third grade, Munford Elementary School in Talladega County

Poster Contest, Fourth-Sixth Grades

• First place and $200 — Kendall McVay, fourth grade, Moulton Elementary School in Lawrence County
• Second place and $100 — Will Thornton, sixth grade, Carver School of Math, Science and Technology in Houston County

Eight students received an honorable mention and $50 from AFC through the poster contest.

• Asa Thompson, fourth grade, Pike Liberal Arts in Pike County
• Maggie Phillips, first grade, Good Hope Primary in Cullman County
• Kadence Provens, third grade, Caldwell Elementary in Jackson County
• Corey Ellis, second grade, Bear Exploration Center in Montgomery County
• David Thomas Aldridge, fifth grade, home-schooled in Fayette County
• Mattie Wisener, sixth grade, Arab Junior High in Marshall County
• Greer Jones, fourth grade, Ariton Elementary in Dale County
• Emerson Champagne, third grade, Southside Elementary School in Etowah County

The 2020 Alabama Farm-City Calendar will feature poster contest winners and honorees.

Essay Contest, Seventh-Ninth Grades

• First place and $300 — Audrey Teaster, freshman, Autauga Academy in Autauga County
• Second place and $200 — Ciara Laird, freshman, New Life Christian Academy in Pike County

Essay Contest, 10th-12th Grades

• First place and $300 — Emma Wendland, senior, Autauga Academy in Autauga County
• Second place and $200 — Alex Simmons, junior, Elmore County High in Elmore County

Video Contest

• First place and $300 — Marion Bell, junior, home-schooled in Shelby County
• Second place and $200 — Rio Murray, junior, Munford High in Calhoun County