The 2022 Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Poster and Essay Contest theme is Kentucky Agriculture Sustains Me. These resources may help you with ideas for your poster, essay, or digital art submission.

sus-tain (verb) - to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc.
Merriam-Webster.com

agriculture (noun) - the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products
Merriam-Webster.com

There are many ways that Kentucky agriculture sustains us.

1) Agriculture sustains us by providing food - farmers use our natural resources to provide nutritious foods we need to live. Learn about the crops and livestock Kentucky farmers raise to feed us.

2) Agriculture sustains us by providing ingredients for renewable consumer goods we need to improve our quality of life. Take a look at our links below to see the non-edible products that are dependent upon crops and livestock raised by farmers.

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All About Pigs
All About Pigs

Read all about pigs and pork production in Kentucky.

All About Soybeans
All About Soybeans

The soybean is a seed crop that is high in protein and oil and a member of the pea family (also called legumes).

All About Corn
All About Corn

Read all about corn, the leading crop grown in America and a top crop in Kentucky.

All About Beef Cattle
All About Beef Cattle

Settlers first brought cattle to Kentucky in 1775, with aid from famed explorer Daniel Boone. Since that time, cattle farming has played an important role in Kentucky’s agricultural economy. In fact, Kentucky farmers raise more beef cattle than any other state east of the Mississippi River!

3) Agriculture sustains our environment so we may continue to produce food and renewable consumer goods well into the future. Farmers and scientists constantly look for ways they can improve production to reduce impact on environment and the natural resources (soil, water, space) and inputs (fertilizer, crop protection, livestock medicines) needed to produce the safest, most economical food possible. Take a look at some of these resources to learn how farmers work to sustain our environment.

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Soil Erosion Digital Presentation and Demo
Soil, Environment, Intermediate, Secondary, Conservation, Sustain
Soil Erosion Digital Presentation and Demo
Soil, Environment, Intermediate, Secondary, Conservation, Sustain

Grades 4+: This Google Slide presentation focuses on how Kentucky farmers control soil erosion, as soil is one of our most precious resources for food production. The last slide provides a video demo of how different soil coverings impact how much soil washes away during a rain storm.

Soil, Environment, Intermediate, Secondary, Conservation, Sustain
Living Soil Film and Lessons
Environment, Soil, Secondary, Sustain, Science-Secondary
Living Soil Film and Lessons
Environment, Soil, Secondary, Sustain, Science-Secondary

This 60-minute documentary features innovative farmers and soil health experts from throughout the U.S. Accompanying lesson plans for college and high school students. It starts with a reminder of the Dust Bowl and how today’s farmers are improving soil health.

Environment, Soil, Secondary, Sustain, Science-Secondary
The Remarkable Ruminant
Beef, Secondary, MS-ESS3-3, MS-LS2-2, Sustain, Beef-Secondary, Science-Secondary
The Remarkable Ruminant
Beef, Secondary, MS-ESS3-3, MS-LS2-2, Sustain, Beef-Secondary, Science-Secondary

In this lesson, students will follow the farm to fork process of producing beef, learn how cattle and other ruminants convert grass into nutrient-rich foods such as milk and meat, discover ways cattle recycle food waste, and identify careers in the beef cattle industry.

Beef, Secondary, MS-ESS3-3, MS-LS2-2, Sustain, Beef-Secondary, Science-Secondary
Reading: Leaders in Sustainability
Environment, Conservation, reading, Secondary, Sustain
Reading: Leaders in Sustainability
Environment, Conservation, reading, Secondary, Sustain

Sustainability is a hot topic these days, especially when it relates to agriculture. We hope the following resources will help students understand all aspects of sustainability, and the measures the Kentucky agriculture community is taking to ensure our natural resources are cared for today and tomorrow.

Environment, Conservation, reading, Secondary, Sustain