2022 Conservation Poster Contest Theme
Healthy soils are the foundation for all life on Earth. It is imperative in food production. Healthy soils give us clean water and air. Soil is an important resource for everything from human health to agriculture to water filtration. Soil is the foundation for many of the items we use in our daily life, such as food, clothing, clean water, homes and more. Healthy soil equals healthy food, which equals a healthy you. It is important that each of us recognize where our food comes from and the farmers and ranchers who are dedicated to using responsible land management practices to ensure a sustainable food supply and healthy land and soil for future generations.
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The New Jersey Conservation Poster Contest is open to all students in grades 2-12 and students compete in grade categories. Local Soil Conservation District prizes may also be awarded!
The annual National Conservation Poster Contest provides students in second through twelfth grade an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state conservation associations, auxiliaries and agencies. The poster contest theme follows the annual Stewardship Theme.
The NJ Conservation Poster Contest is co-sponsored by:
Each year, the poster contest starts at the district level. It is important to check with your local district to verify participation and local deadlines before creating your poster. Individuals and teachers with questions regarding district contests should contact their local Soil Conservation District (SCD). District winners advance to the state level. For questions regarding state competitions, districts should contact their state association. Finally, state winners advance to the National Contest. National winners are recognized each year at the NACD Annual Meeting.
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2022 NJ Poster Contest Finalists2022 Poster Contest Theme
"Healthy Soil: Healthy Life" Grand Champion
Zoe Quan (Grades 4-6) Freehold SCD |
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Cash Prizes!
Cash prizes for the NJ Statewide competition are awarded by the NJ Association of Conservation Districts |
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $50 3rd Place: $25 |
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Did You Know...
- There are 70,000 different types of soil in the U.S.
- 1 Tablespoon of soil has more organisms in it than there are people on Earth.
- It takes 500 years to form one inch of topsoil.
- There are 5,000 different types of bacteria in one gram of soil.
- 1,400,000 earthworms can be found in an acre of cropland.
- Soil is more than just one layer. It has multiple layers, just like a cake, that are called horizons.
- Only about 10% of Earth's land surface has suitable soil for producing our food supply, housing, cities, schools, hospitals, air to breath and more.
- 10% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions are stored in soil.
- 0.01% of the Earth's water is held in soil.
Who Can Participate?The Conservation Poster Contest is open to all students in grades 2-12 in public, private, home school and youth groups.
Why Participate?Designing a poster and researching the theme can give you a voice in your community about important conservation issues. Good posters capture people’s attention and deliver stories in a way that everyone can understand. A powerful graphic can inspire people to be concerned about conservation.
Poster EvaluationsPosters will be judged on the following criteria:
Contest Theme must appear in the poster!
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Poster Contest BrochureDownload the NJ Conservation Poster Contest Brochure below for official rules and more information.
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Create an Effective Poster
The National Association of Conservation Districts (www.nacdnet.org) provides links to assist with creating posters. Click on the “Stewardship & Education” tab and find “Poster Contest” under “Contests” for an overview of the theme, and for tips on what makes a good poster and the National Visual Arts Standards.
Resources
You can find resources at your school or public library, science books, local newspapers, nature centers and from the Stewardship & Education section on the NACD website. Get guidance from your teacher or parents to find information on the Internet.
2022 Web Resources
- https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/nj/soils/health/
- https://soilhealthinstitute.org/resources/soil-health-educational-resources/
- https://www.farmers.gov/conservation/soil-health
- https://soilsmatter.wordpress.com/author/soilsmatter2011/
- https://www.soils.org/iys/
- https://www.soils.org/about-soils/basics
- https://njaes.rutgers.edu/soil-testing-lab/resources.php
- https://www.barnegatbaypartnership.org/protect/threats-to-barnegat-bay/soil-health-in-the-watershed/
- https://nacdnet.org/general-resources/stewardship-and-education-materials/educational-resources/soil-health/
- https://www.rff.org/events/rff-live/healthy-soils-healthier-planet/
Contest Sponsors
The NJ Department of Agriculture, the NJ Association of Conservation Districts and your local Soil Conservation District
Recent Conservation Poster Contests
2022: "Healthy Soils: Healthy Life"
2021: "Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities"
2020: "Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators?"
2019: "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper"
2018: "Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home"
2017: "Healthy Soils Are Full of Life"
2016: "We All Need Trees"
2015: "Local Heroes: Your Hardworking Pollinators"
2014: "Dig Deeper: Mysteries in the Soil"
2013: "Where Does Your Water Shed?"
2021: "Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities"
2020: "Where Would We BEE Without Pollinators?"
2019: "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper"
2018: "Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home"
2017: "Healthy Soils Are Full of Life"
2016: "We All Need Trees"
2015: "Local Heroes: Your Hardworking Pollinators"
2014: "Dig Deeper: Mysteries in the Soil"
2013: "Where Does Your Water Shed?"
NJ Soil Conservation Districts (SCD) are special purpose subdivisions of the State. In cooperation with the State Soil Conservation Committee, they are empowered to conserve and manage soil and water resources and address stormwater, soil erosion and sedimentation problems that result from land disturbance activities. There are 14 Soil Conservation Districts in New Jersey. Click here for a list of NJ Soil Conservation Districts...
In response to growing public concern for water quality, NJ Conservation Districts have become the primary local governmental agencies responsible for monitoring nonpoint sources of pollution associated with agriculture, construction and mining. The technical services of the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service and other resource agencies are made available through the Districts. |
District ResourcesLocal Poster Entries to State Contest
Please include this form with the posters you are submitting by mail or email for the state competition. Click here to download... |