Young artists and writers from around the state were honored recently for their entries in the Farm-City poster and essay contests during the annual Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon in Birmingham.

This year’s theme for both contests, “Harvesting Healthy Choices” supports the National Farm-City Council’s strategy of addressing one potentially divisive issue each year. “Harvesting Healthy Choices” gives the agricultural community a chance to talk about the health benefits of locally grown produce and dispels the myth that modern agriculture is to blame for America’s expanding waistline. The contests received a strong response from students, with 130 total entries at the state level. Students qualified for the state awards by winning first place in their counties.

Marengo Academy students Keaton Grace Gunter and Jamie Moore each received honorable mention in the Farm-City poster contest. Both received $50 from the Alabama Farmers Cooperative and their drawings will be included in the 2013 Farm-City calendar.