COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) is looking for submissions to the 2013 “Agriculture is Cool!” Creative Expressions contest. It is open to Ohio students enrolled in school or home schooled during the 2012-13 school year.

The deadline for submissions is May 15. “They can present their idea, their interpretation, of why they think agriculture is cool,” said Ashley McDonald, ODA public information officer. “Entries can include an original video, photograph, drawing or painting.”

One winner from each age group and category will be chosen as follows:

•Grades K-2: Photography, Drawing or Painting

•Grades 3-5: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting

•Grades 6-8: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting

•Grades 9-12: Video, Photography, Drawing or Painting

Submissions will be judged by a panel of experts from ODA, the Office of the Governor, the Ohio Expo Center and professionals in the areas of video work and photography, drawing, painting and other visual arts, McDonald said.

“Award winners will be recognized by the Office of the Governor and other state officials at the Ohio State Fair on July 24,” she added. “Winners will get into the fair for free and they will have the option to choose between a couple of concerts they can see, which are taking place at the fair.”

Also, to see what makes agriculture cool, students in the fourth grade during the 2012-13 school year and a chaperone can attend the fair any one day for free simply by presenting their report card at the entry gate, McDonald said.

Or, better yet, participants can win a $500 scholarship by writing an essay about what they learned.

For additional information about the contest, a complete copy of the rules and entry forms, visit www.ohioagriculture.gov/agiscool or call 614-752-9817.