1. K-5 Grades: Only students through grade 5 may compete in the art contest.

2. 6-12 Grades: Kentucky students grades 6-12 are eligible to compete in the writing contest.

3. A student may not enter both the Jim Claypool Conservation Art Contest and the Conservation Writing Contest during the same contest.

4. An entry must be created by one and only one student. Any entry submitted by more than one student will be disqualified.

5. All entries become the property of the contest sponsors. The decisions of the judges at all levels of competition are final.

6. WRITING: (6-12 Grades) an entry may not exceed 1,000 words and must be written in ink or typed on one side of the paper only. Typed entries must be written in 12pt font, Times New Roman or Calibri. No photographs or artwork may be included with the written work. It is suggested that the written entry take the form of informational writing (from the perspective of an informed writer to a less informed reader) and may be in the form of a letter, blog entry, editorial or speech. It should persuade the reader to take action toward good soil conservation practices or propose a solution to one or more soil conservation issues. The work should be the student author and avoid plagiarism from this source or other sources. Sources should be cited.

7. ARTWORK: (K-5 Grades) shall be 8 ½”x11”. Any thickness or color of art board may be used. Art paper may be used, but must be pasted onto art board or cardboard before submitting for competition. NO plywood will be accepted. Artwork may be rendered in any medium: pencil, ink, charcoal, crayon, oil, etc., but it must be flat art. 3-D art is unacceptable; however, collages, photographs or other art pasted onto your board will be accepted as long as it is flat art pasted securely to the poster board. An art entry may take the form of a poster, newspaper advertisement or editorial cartoon, making sure that whatever form is used the artwork conveys a message at a glance that persuades its viewers to take action toward good soil conservation practices.

8. All writing entries and/or artworks from your school must be submitted to your local county conservation district by December 1st.

9. The official entry form must be completed and secured to the back of your entry.

POINT SYSTEM FOR ARTWORK

• 50 points - Purpose / Audience. (Appropriate communication style to reach an audience, establishes and maintains a purpose; and holds to subject in the community. Theme clearly conveyed at a glance.)

• 30 points - Composition / creativity / craftsmanship. (Layout, originality, and quality of work, such as neatness.)

• 20 points - Language / correctness. (Word choice, usage, spelling, punctuation, capitalization.)

POINT SYSTEM FOR WRITING

• 30 points - Purpose/Audience (establishes and maintains a purpose, communicates with the audience, employs a suitable voice and/or tone)

• 30 points - Correctness (spelling, punctuation, capitalization), Language (word choice, usage), Sentences (varied in structure and length, constructed effectively, complete and correct)

• 20 points - Organization (logical order, coherence, transition organizational signals)

• 20 points - Idea Development/Support and Evidence of Research (student’s original work the show's sources of research

HELPFUL HINTS

• Keep entry simple and sincere.

• Be creative and original. Avoid plagiarism by using original words and ideas. Plagiarism is defined as the act of stealing and passing off the words of another as your own without crediting the source.

• Consider an area of soil that is important to you, your family and your community.

• Draw from your personal interests or experiences.

• Writing entry should take the form of informational.

• Think about soil issues in your community, farm, subdivision or city.

• DO NOT use the tabloid as your only source.

• Interview people in your community about changes in soil issues.

• Find ways to improve soil in your community. TAKE ACTION!