Requirements:
1. Handmade on large white construction paper. (11x 17)
2. Name, address, school, teacher and grade on the back of the drawing
3. Send posters to McHenry County Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 1530, Woodstock, IL, 60098
4. Entries are due April 1, 2010. Judging will be in late April
5. Questions? Call 815-338-1520

Note to the teacher or parent:

*Use the short narrative below to illustrate to your students the diverse nature of
agriculture in McHenry County

*Suggest some possible poster ideas that would incorporate one of the types of farming
(Traditional, Specialty Crops, Specialty Animals.) Of course, the surrounding landscape
should be used to highlight the poster.

*Beyond this contest, this poster should be an enjoyable art project for your class!

Celebrating McHenry County Agriculture

McHenry County is one of the most diverse agricultural counties in Illinois. Yet few of the 300,000
residents notice the great variety of farm operations that coexist with our urban community. Take this opportunity to explore the business of farmers around us.

It is like the county was bisected by Route 47, the Eastern one half of the county has seen phenomenal subdivision growth punctuated by farmettes, horse farms, and tiny farm fields. Unused barns, silos, and farm houses speak of a time when the county was predominately agricultural.

The Western part of the county contains the traditional farms growing soybeans, wheat, and corn.
Occasional dairy, beef, and hog operations continue with a modern focus that enables economic survival. Throughout this area, small farm operations co-exist with the large farms. Specialty crop
operators produce volumes of pumpkins, vegetables, apples, strawberries and fruits that feed the urban "farmer's markets" and extend into commercial operations. The world's largest corn maze is found in the Northeast corner of the county. Specialty animal growers generate Alpacas, Llamas, goats, miniature donkeys, pheasants, chickens, and even a commercial fish hatchery!

Your poster needs to incorporate some of these "real world" McHenry County farms. Go beyond the "Old McDonald Had a Farm" and explore the real agricultural world around you!