Soil to Spoon is topic of unique student poster competition using soil based paints
Sand and soil may be considered more of a natural resource than a typical art medium, but the Tuscarawas Soil and Water Conservation District is encouraging area students to use these natural resources to speak out on behalf of the importance of soil in our environment.
Fifth-graders who are part of public, private, or home school learning are encouraged to participate in the district’s annual poster contest, themed Soil to Spoon.
“It is important to understand where food comes from that you eat each day,” noted Julie Gordon, who serves as financial program manager with the district and is coordinating the competition. “You see a wide variety of products in your local grocery store, but where does it all come from? What is the connection to the soil you walk on each day?”
The posters can be realistic or abstract, and can portray sustainable farming, vegetables and fruits, the process of soil to actual finished food product, or anything related to where food originates.
“Take pizza, for example. We want the kids to understand that a farmer had to take care of the soil, plant the seed, and then take care of those plants, long before the tomatoes and other vegetables are harvested and go into the stores to end up in the pizza,” said Gordon.
The yearly competition’s Soil to Spoon theme fulfills an important part of the district’s mission to increase awareness about soil as a natural resource while helping young people and their communities develop a sense of awareness. Educators and parents can incorporate the contest as a springboard for environmental discussions with children. Free kits for those interested in participating can be obtained at the district office.
“The kits include four different types of soils, so each creates a different color. Food coloring can be added to the sand to help add more vibrant colors to the posters. We include directions as to how to mix the paints properly,” Gordon explained. “You add watered down white glue, liquid starch, or clear gloss acrylic paint to create the medium so that the sand or soil adheres to the paper.”
Entries can range from 8.5-by-11 to as large as 22-by-28.
The contest is a popular one for area students.
“We had 75 to 100 kids enter last year. The winner’s entries are framed and displayed at the Tuscarawas County Fair, and then we showcase them in our office the rest of the year.”
The first place winner takes home a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, while second place receives a $50 bond. Entries are scored on the following: conservation message – 50 percent, visual effectiveness – 30 percent, originality – 10 percent, and universal appeal – 10 percent. The Soil and Water Conservation District reserves the right to use any submissions for publicity or advertising purposes in order to draw attention to the district’s conservation message.
Interested fifth-graders may contact the Tuscarawas Soil & Water Conservation District office, located at 2201 Progress St., Ste B, Dover 44622 or call 330-339-7976 for additional information. Rules, poster guidelines and information are also available at http://www.tuscsoil.com. All posters must be received at the office by May 18.
“You have to have good soil to grow good food, and that’s the point we are trying to make,” emphasized Gordon. “The farmer has to apply good conservation to the land to have good soil. We need to be good stewards and take care of what we have.”
Fifth-graders who are part of public, private, or home school learning are encouraged to participate in the district’s annual poster contest, themed Soil to Spoon.
“It is important to understand where food comes from that you eat each day,” noted Julie Gordon, who serves as financial program manager with the district and is coordinating the competition. “You see a wide variety of products in your local grocery store, but where does it all come from? What is the connection to the soil you walk on each day?”
The posters can be realistic or abstract, and can portray sustainable farming, vegetables and fruits, the process of soil to actual finished food product, or anything related to where food originates.
“Take pizza, for example. We want the kids to understand that a farmer had to take care of the soil, plant the seed, and then take care of those plants, long before the tomatoes and other vegetables are harvested and go into the stores to end up in the pizza,” said Gordon.
The yearly competition’s Soil to Spoon theme fulfills an important part of the district’s mission to increase awareness about soil as a natural resource while helping young people and their communities develop a sense of awareness. Educators and parents can incorporate the contest as a springboard for environmental discussions with children. Free kits for those interested in participating can be obtained at the district office.
“The kits include four different types of soils, so each creates a different color. Food coloring can be added to the sand to help add more vibrant colors to the posters. We include directions as to how to mix the paints properly,” Gordon explained. “You add watered down white glue, liquid starch, or clear gloss acrylic paint to create the medium so that the sand or soil adheres to the paper.”
Entries can range from 8.5-by-11 to as large as 22-by-28.
The contest is a popular one for area students.
“We had 75 to 100 kids enter last year. The winner’s entries are framed and displayed at the Tuscarawas County Fair, and then we showcase them in our office the rest of the year.”
The first place winner takes home a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, while second place receives a $50 bond. Entries are scored on the following: conservation message – 50 percent, visual effectiveness – 30 percent, originality – 10 percent, and universal appeal – 10 percent. The Soil and Water Conservation District reserves the right to use any submissions for publicity or advertising purposes in order to draw attention to the district’s conservation message.
Interested fifth-graders may contact the Tuscarawas Soil & Water Conservation District office, located at 2201 Progress St., Ste B, Dover 44622 or call 330-339-7976 for additional information. Rules, poster guidelines and information are also available at http://www.tuscsoil.com. All posters must be received at the office by May 18.
“You have to have good soil to grow good food, and that’s the point we are trying to make,” emphasized Gordon. “The farmer has to apply good conservation to the land to have good soil. We need to be good stewards and take care of what we have.”
Published: January 30, 2012
