The South Dakota Soil Health Coalition is excited to announce student photo and essay contests for the 2022 Soil Health Conference, Jan. 18-19 in Aberdeen, SD. The contests are open to students in middle school, high school, and post-secondary institutions. Winners will be announced during the conference and will receive cash prizes and hoodies.

Students may register for the Soil Health Conference at no charge! Learn more and register at www.sdsoilhealthcoalition.org/soil-health-conference.

Student Photo Contest

The photo contest is open to students in the following categories: middle school, high school and post-secondary students. In the post-secondary category, the first place winner will receive $400 and a hoodie, and the second place winner will receive $200 and a hoodie. In the high school and middle school categories, the first place winners will each receive $200 and a hoodie, and the second place winners will each receive $100 and a hoodie.

To enter the contest, students should submit an original photo taken by the student that represents one of the following theme statements.

Theme statements:

• Diversity – Soil health practices improve the biodiversity of agricultural operations.
• Legacy – Soil health practices help ensure agricultural operations will survive for future generations.

Photos must be submitted via email to sdsoilhealth@gmail.com. Each photo must be accompanied with the following information:

1. First and last name of the student photographer.
2. Category of the entry: Middle school, high school, or post-secondary.
3. Name of school or institution attended by the student.
4. Student address.
5. Student phone number.
6. Student jacket/hoodie size.
7. Short description of why the photo represents the theme statement chosen by the student.

Each student may submit no more than three photos. Entries must be submitted no later than December 31, 2021. Contest winners will be announced during the Soil Health Conference. (By submitting a photo, students give the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition permission to publish the photo.)

Student Essay Contest

The essay contest is open to students in the following divisions: middle school, high school and post-secondary students. In the post-secondary category, the first place winner will receive $400 and a hoodie, and the second place winner will receive $200 and a hoodie. In the high school and middle school categories, the first place winners will each receive $200 and a hoodie, and the second place winners will each receive $100 and a hoodie.

To enter the contest, each student should submit an original essay, not to exceed 500 words in length, written in response to one of the following questions:

1. How will soil health affect your future career?
2. How do soil health practices make agricultural operations more resilient?

Participants are encouraged to be creative with their entries!

Essays must be submitted via email to sdsoilhealth@gmail.com. Each essay must be accompanied with the following information:

1. First and last name of the student essayist.
2. Category of the entry: Middle school, high school, or post-secondary.
3. Name of school or institution attended by the student.
4. Student address.
5. Student phone number.
6. Student jacket/hoodie size.

Entries must be submitted no later than December 31, 2021. Contest winners will be announced during the Soil Health Conference. (By submitting an essay, students give the South Dakota Soil Health Coalition permission to publish the essay.)