Students from across Wyoming learned more about agriculture and were recently recognized for their participation in the 2011 Wyoming Farm Bureau (WyFB) “Ag Books for Kids” contests.  The 2011 contests included:  Coloring Contest for kindergarten and first grade; Poster Contest for second and third graders; and a Book Report Contest for fourth and fifth graders.


This year county Farm Bureaus across the state donated 398 “From Wheat to Bread” books by Kristin Thoennes Keller to Wyoming elementary schools as part of the WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher Committee “Ag Books for Kids” project.  The students then had the opportunity to participate in a contest to show what they learned about agriculture.

County winners were forwarded to the district where three winners were selected.  District winners all received a copy of “From Wheat to Bread” and were forwarded to the state contest.  See page 4 for district winners.

Coloring Contest

Jeffrey City first grader Laura Dockery was the state winner of the coloring contest.  Dockery received a $100 savings bond from the Wyoming Farm Bureau and an agriculture book titled “From Wheat to Bread.”  The book was signed by the Honorable Governor Matt Mead.  Dockery is in Miss Rose’s class at Jeffrey City Elementary.  Her parents are Thad and Andrea Dockery.

Faith Anderson of Crook County was the second place state winner.  Anderson received a $50 savings bond and an agriculture book.  Anderson is a first grader in Campbell County Virtual School.  Her parents are Gary and Zeta Anderson, of Hulett.

Poster Contest

Weston County second grader Blake Durfee won the state poster contest.  Durfee is in Mrs. Peterson’s class at Upton Elementary.  He is the son of Kristy and Chris Durfee.  He received a $100 savings bond from the Wyoming Farm Bureau and an agriculture book titled “From Wheat to Bread.”  The book was signed by the Honorable Governor Matt Mead.

Receiving a $50 savings bond and a copy of “From Wheat to Bread” for the second place state finish was Emily Hatch, of Goshen County.  Hatch is a third grader at Valley Christian School in Torrington.  She is the daughter of Will and Sarah Hatch.

Book Report Contest

Goshen County fourth grader Paige Miller won the state book report contest.  Miller’s teacher is Mrs. Dixie Roth.  Her parents are Paul and Christine Miller.    She received a $100 savings bond from the Wyoming Farm Bureau and an agriculture book titled “From Wheat to Bread.”  The book was signed by the Honorable Governor Matt Mead.

Fifth grader Grace Anderson was the second place state winner.  She received a $50 savings bond and an agriculture book.  Anderson is a student of Campbell County Virtual School.  Her parents are Gary and Zeta Anderson, of Hulett.

“We appreciate all of the volunteers and schools who participated in the 2011 “Ag Books for Kids” project,” Chalsey Kortes, WyFB YF&R Committee chair, said.  “We are very pleased with how many young students we are able to continue reaching with this classroom project.”

“Adding 398 books this year about agriculture to the elementary schools is exciting,” Kortes continued.  “As an added benefit some county Farm Bureaus read the book in the classroom.  Any time you can talk about what we do in agriculture that is one more time our story is told.”

In its seventh year, the “Ag Books for Kids” program is a project of the WyFB Young Farmer & Rancher Committee.  The program’s purpose is to educate children about agriculture and its importance to us all.

“The 2012 “Ag Book” has been selected and additional resources are being planned for the upcoming year’s project,” Kortes continued.  “Check our website (wyfb.org) or contact us if you are interested in participating in the project including classroom presentations.”