SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 10, 2016
Media Contact: Jody Heemstra, 605.773.4073

Aberdeen Fifth Grader Wins South Dakota Arbor Day Poster Contest

PIERRE, S.D. – Summer Ryan, a fifth grade student at O.M. Tiffany Elementary School in Aberdeen is the winner of the 2016 South Dakota Arbor Day Poster Contest.

Ryan’s first place poster was selected for its interpretation of the contest theme "Trees Are Terrific…And Energy Wise!” Ryan has received a $100 cash prize and a certificate of achievement. Her entry will be featured on the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Resource Conservation and Forestry (RCF) division’s poster contest promotional flyer.

Ryan’s teacher, Kendall Hoellein, receives $100 for the purchase of educational supplies.

Erin Quinn Uecker of Freeman Public Elementary School in Freeman was selected as the second place winner. Uecker received a $75 cash prize and a certificate of achievement. The third place winner, Mackenzie Schweitzer of Stewart Elementary School in Yankton, received a certificate and a $50 cash prize.

The top twelve artists’ posters will also be featured in the annual Arbor Day Poster Contest calendar.

The annual Arbor Day Poster Contest is designed to help promote the importance of Arbor Day and tree planting, and is open to all South Dakota fifth graders. RCF, the South Dakota Society of American Foresters and the South Dakota Arborists Association sponsor the state contest.

To view the winning poster, visit http://sdda.sd.gov/conservation-forestry/educational-programs/arbor-day-poster-contest/.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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