Harrisburg – Senator John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) is encouraging middle and high school students to share their ideas about how to support agriculture in Pennsylvania as part of the third annual “Talk To Your State Senator” statewide video competition.
This year’s competition challenges students to produce a video that includes ideas about how to ensure the agriculture industry will have a bright future in Pennsylvania. Agriculture is the state’s top industry and a major contributor to state and local economies, but the industry faces a variety of challenges based on market conditions and the number of farmers who are expected to retire during the next decade.
“Farming is an important part of the heritage of our region and our commonwealth, and it’s important that we pass on that legacy to future generations,” DiSanto said. “In addition to legislation we’ve passed to support new farmers, this video contest helps preserve our farming tradition by encouraging students to explore agriculture’s role in history and our future.”
The contest, which is sponsored by the Senate of Pennsylvania and Rutter’s convenience stores, is open to Pennsylvania students in grades 6 through 12, including all public school, private school and home school students. Participants are encouraged to submit video entries of no longer than three minutes that promote the future of farming in Pennsylvania.
A total of $10,000 in prizes will be awarded through the PA 529 college savings program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury. Prizes will be deposited into a college savings account in the winner’s name. Videos will be judged based on creativity, content and effectiveness of message delivery.
The contest will remain open through January 31, 2020. Winners will be announced in May 2020. More information on the contest is available online at www.legis.state.pa.us/talk-to-your-state-senator/.
Previous “Talk To Your State Senator” video competitions have explored the impact of the heroin and opioid crisis, and generated ideas to help improve school safety.
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman cerdman@pasen.gov (717) 787-6801