By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Opening day for the Ohio State Fair is July 27, and the state’s Department of Agriculture (ODA) is targeting students in grades K-12 with its “Ag is Cool!” contest.

Anyone who was enrolled in school or home-schooled in Ohio and were in grades K-12 during the 2010-11 school year is eligible to win free tickets to the fair and other prizes by sharing their personal interpretation of why Ohio agriculture is cool.

“The focus with this contest is with 21st century modern-day agriculture,” said Erica Pitchford, public information officer with the ODA. “Most children nowadays think of tractors and hay bales when they think of farming. We want them to know that farmers use GPS in their farming, that they use planters that shoot seeds into the ground like a machine gun and more.”

An entry in the video, photography and drawing or painting category must be original work, created in 2011 by the student submitting the entry. Parental or other involvement can only be in support functions such as purchasing materials, assisting with entry paperwork and mailing the entry. Only one submission is allowed per student. “Our purpose is to get kids interested in agriculture,” Pitchford said. “And with kids having more savvy with digital media, we’re really looking forward to seeing their submissions.”

There are separate contests involving four grade categories: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. K-2 will compete in photography, drawing or painting. Grades 3-12 will compete in photography, drawing, painting and video.

Entries will be judged by a panel of judges to include all or part of the following: representatives from the ODA, the office of the Governor, the Ohio Expo Center and professional consultants in the areas of video production, photography, drawing, painting and other visual arts.

Contest winners will be notified no later than July 20. Judging will be based on representation of the “Ag is Cool” theme, creativity (including the use of Ohio images) and quality of work. For additional information about the contest visit www.agri.ohio.gov or call 614-752-9817.

The Ohio State Fair runs July 27-Aug. 7. Award winners will be recognized by officials at the Taste of Ohio Cafe on the grounds at the fair at noon July 27. Winners will receive a pair of one-day passes for free admission, two tickets to see Brad Paisley and other prizes.