Jim Claypool
Art & Writing Contests
The Conservation District, in partnership with the Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, holds an annual art and writing contest for students that focuses on conservation and sustainability. The contest is open to all students in school Jefferson County, this includes public, private, and home schools. The art contest is for students in grades K-5th and the writing contest is for students in grades 6th -12th.
Entries due the Conservation District by Dec. 1st, 2026
2026 Contest
The KY Division of Conservation has chosen forestry as this year’s subject. To help budding artists and young wordsmiths learn more about the importance of forest health, the DOC has released a packet called Protecting the Ground Rules: The Story Beneath Your Feet that takes a deep dive into our Kentucky soils.
All entries must be submitted through Jefferson County schools. If you would like your child to participate please reach out to their teacher and ask for their school to participate in the contest.
Teachers may choose to work the contest into the regular programming or to offer it as extra credit. You may also request our Environmental Educator to visit your class.
Jefferson County student winners receive cash prizes in the amounts of $100 (1st), $75 (2nd), and $50 (3rd) with additional prizes possible at the regional and state levels.
Teachers can win a cash prize of up to $500 for use in their classroom based on the number of students participating. (1st, $500; 2nd, $300; and 3rd, $200.)
Contact the Conservation District to obtain printed materials for your students. Call 502-499-1900 or email educator@jeffcd.org.
2025 Art Contest Winner
1st Place
Hadiyah Gauhar
Chenoweth Elementary
2025 Writing Contest Winner
(excerpt)
1st Place
Darwin Lei
Newburg Middle School