Governor Announces Agricultural Awareness Week Observance Award Winner

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that East Jackson Elementary School in Commerce is the winner of the fifth annual Agricultural Awareness Week Observance Award.

“Georgia farmers continue to make our state one of the most vital and diversified farm economies in the nation,” said Governor Perdue. “Agriculture Awareness Week gives our students the opportunity to learn how this evolving industry impacts the citizens of our state.”

During National Agriculture Week of March 15 to March 21, fifth grade classes all across the state were encouraged to participate in events and classes to help students learn about agriculture, Georgia’s oldest and largest industry. By using agriculture as a teaching tool for science, math, language arts and social studies, the students learned the origin of food and fiber, the economic and environmental contributions of agriculture and the impact of agriculture on society.

The East Jackson Elementary class was judged as best in the state for using innovative teaching techniques including the “Adopt a Chick Program.” The students adopted 60-day-old chicks, met weekly with high school students and other volunteers to learn about poultry and how to care for their chicks, collected data to complete a record book, and participated in a Poultry Show during Ag Awareness Week.

The East Jackson students, led by teachers Renee Kiley and Kimberly Ashe, learned about Georgia agriculture through several creative avenues. Aside from learning about poultry, the students learned important aspects in soil and water conservation of the land. Students also learned how to grow food and products for our society through a lesson in planting, care and harvesting. It was the unique nature of the program that distinguished East Jackson from the many other worthy finalists.

The other finalists were:

Bacon County Elementary, Alma
Buchanan Elementary School, Buchanan
Carrollton City Middle School, Carrollton
Early County Elementary, Blakely
Free Home Elementary School, Canton
Lamar County Elementary, Barnesville
Lyerly Elementary, Lyerly
Piedmont Academy, Monticello
Washington-Wilkes Elementary, Washington

The Agricultural Awareness Week Observance Award was initiated by Governor Perdue’s Agriculture Advisory Committee to promote awareness of the benefits of the agriculture industry.
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