South Dakota Department of Agriculture News Release

For Immediate Release: April 23, 2019

Media Contact: Maggie Stensaas, 605.773.4073

Parker Fifth Grader Wins SD Arbor Day Poster Contest

PIERRE, S.D. – Mara Mohr, a fifth grade student at Parker Elementary School, is the winner of the 2019 South Dakota Arbor Day Poster Contest. Mara Mohr’s poster was chosen out of 817 entries from fifth graders all over the state.

Mohr’s first place poster was selected for its interpretation of the contest theme "Trees Are Terrific…From Acorn to Oak!” Mohr has received a $125 cash prize, a certificate of achievement and her poster will be featured on the South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Resource Conservation and Forestry Division’s (RCF) poster contest promotional flyer.

Mohr’s teacher, Katie Juhnke, will receive $175 for the purchase of educational supplies.

Joselyn Pearson of Beadle Elementary School in Yankton was selected as the second place winner. Pearson receives a $100 cash prize and a certificate of achievement. The third place winner, Carter Fanning of Miller Elementary School in Miller, will receive a certificate and a $75 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. The RCF, the South Dakota Society of American Foresters, Aspen Arboriculture Solutions, LLC and the South Dakota Arborists Association sponsor the state contest.

For more information on Arbor Day, please contact Rachel Ormseth with RCF at 605.773.3594 or Rachel.ormseth@state.sd.us. To view the winning posters, 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 and preserve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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