LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach announced the theme for the annual NDA Agriculture Week in Nebraska Poster Contest today. In its eighth year, the contest is open to all Nebraska youth in first through sixth grade. This year's theme is: "Nebraska Agriculture: Caring for Animals and the Earth Every Day."

"Agriculture is Nebraska's number one industry, and this poster contest is a way for our students to have an opportunity to have a discussion about the importance of agriculture," said Ibach. "We are always encouraged by the roles that the teachers play in this poster contest. Each year, we hear of teachers who invite farmers and ranchers into their classrooms, or plan field trips to local farms to help their students learn more about agriculture."

The entry deadline for the contest is March 1, 2011. The winners will be announced during National Ag Week (March 13-19).

The contest is broken down into three separate age groups:

• First and second grade students
• Third and fourth grade students
• Fifth and sixth grade students

The winning entries will be featured on the NDA web site, as well as in promotional materials and other publications.

"We encourage teachers, parents, 4-H, and FFA members to get involved in helping to educate Nebraska's youth about the importance of the agricultural industry in our state and for those youth to participate in this year's contest," said Director Ibach.

Contest rules, official entry forms, and additional information is available by calling Christin Kamm at (402) 471-6856, by e-mailing christin.kamm@nebraska.gov, or by logging into the "Kids Page" located on the NDA homepage at www.agr.ne.gov.