The Tama Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), in partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), is celebrating Stewardship Week from April 24 – May 1, 2022, focusing on the theme “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life.” Our health and well-being are connected to the health of our soil. Agriculture and food production are tied to the vitality of the soil, impacting our economy and our community. The process of cultivating crops to feed people is long and depends on many people across the country, and sometimes around the world.

Tama SWCD is joining this nationwide celebration with its annual poster contest for students in kindergarten through twelfth grades for students homeschooling or attending public schools located in Tama County.

Hand drawn poster categories are available for grades K-1, 2-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. The students’ posters must be on white 8.5” x 11″ or 11” x 17″ paper, cardstock or poster board. Media used may include paint, crayon, pencil, colored pencil, marker, or charcoal. No 3-D effects are allowed. The 2022 Stewardship theme “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life” must be included in the artwork, and an entry form signed by a parent or guardian must accompany the poster entry. Hand drawn posters must arrive in the Tama SWCD office at 102 Business Hwy 30W in Toledo by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29.

New this year is a digital contest for grades 7-9 and 10-12. These entries may be horizontal or vertical, measuring 8.5” x 11″. Any mixed media suitable for reproduction as a poster — such as Canva, PicMonkey, Google Slides, Photoshop, InDesign, etc. — is allowed. The poster must be submitted as a 300 dpi JPEG or PNG, and an entry form signed by a parent or guardian must accompany the poster entry. Digital posters must be emailed to melody.bro@ia.nacdnet.net by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29.

One overall winner in the county will receive a $20 award and an airplane ride over their local area. The winner at each grade level in each participating school will receive an award of $10. The SWCD’s countywide winner will be forwarded for regional competition, where the top selections in each grade category will receive $35 awards. Regional winners will be forwarded for statewide competition. Statewide winners will receive $50 awards rather than the regional award. Top statewide selections in each grade category will be forwarded for national consideration.

For more information about Stewardship Week and conservation, contact Tama SWCD at 641-484-2702, extension 3. Visit the District online at https://www.facebook.com/TamaSWCD/. Like the page and watch the Stewardship Week celebrations unfold!