Soil and Water Conservation Poster Contest Awards Presented

Pictured left to right, Olivia Dagel, Kelsey Hockenson, and Noah Kremer - the fourth grade winners of the Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation District poster contest. Photo contributed [Click to enlarge]

Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Commissioners are pleased to announce this year's conservation poster winners.

From Cherokee the fourth grade winners are Olivia Dagel - First Place, Kelsey Hockenson -- Second Place, and Noah Kremer -- Third Place. This year's poster theme was "Dig It! "The Secrets of Soil." Assistant Commissioner Ginger Walker, who is also Director of the Cherokee County Conservation Board, went to the schools and talked to the students about soil and explained the contest to them. Posters were judged on the following criteria: conservation message -- 50%, visual effectiveness -- 30%, universal appeal -- 10%, and originality -- 10%.

An awards program was held at the Cherokee County Conservation Board on May 4. Cash awards, ribbons, and certificates were presented to the first, second, and third place winners from Cherokee, MMC, and Aurelia Schools. The Cherokee County Overall Winner was Emma Kaskey from Aurelia, whose poster has been sent on to compete in the Conservation Districts of Iowa Regional level. Winners announced from the regional level this summer will then move on to the state and national level for additional judging, and possible awards.

All posters will be displayed at the Sanford Museum in Cherokee during the month of June.