Fayette County students were honored recently at the state capitol in the 34th annual Agriculture Day in Georgia visual art and essay contests sponsored by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Commissioner Tommy Irvin, Georgia Agriculture in the Classroom Council, Inc., and the Georgia Cotton Commission.

Clay Reindl, a student at Rising Starr Middle School, received second place in the writing division for grades four through eight. Luciano Kaiwenhaven received second place honors in the art division for grades kindergarten through third. 

Caroline Winstead of Rising Starr Middle School received an honorable mention in the writing division, and Keeran Daya of Hood Avenue Primary School received an honorable mention in the art division.

More than 1,500 students and adults took part in the statewide contest which had “Agriculture: Keeping America Moving” as its theme.

First, second and third place winners in all categories were awarded cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25, respectively. All winners were presented a medal and certificate from Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin and Miss Teen Georgia Cotton, Gina Stanfield.

Agriculture Day honors the contributions of farmers and those in agriculture. The ceremony was highlighted by an appearance of Governor Sonny Perdue who read and signed a proclamation declaring March 15 as Agriculture Day in Georgia.

Approximately 400 people attended the breakfast reception in the Agriculture Building and the State Capitol ceremony honoring the winners.