Baylee Wilkerson named Edmonson County Winner in 2020 Jim Claypool Conservation Art Contest

Artwork by contest winner Baylee Wilkerson, SEES student.

Edmonson Voice Report:
Baylee Wilkerson, a student at South Edmonson Elementary, was named the Edmonson County winner in the 2020 Jim Claypool Conservation Art Contest. This contest was produced as a partnership between Kentucky Farm Bureau and the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, and themed: “Exploring Kentucky’s Mighty Oaks.”

Students in grades K-12 from across the Commonwealth used the theme to create 11,567 art entries, according to Barbara Johnson, from the Edmonson County Conservation District.

"Judges from the local conservation districts, along with county officials and the UK Ag Extension office chose county winners, whose entry then moved on to the state level competition," she said in a statement. "A distinguished panel of judges with diverse environmental backgrounds selected statewide winners in both writing and art categories."

Johnson also said that state, area, and county winners will receive a check sponsored by the Kentucky Farm Bureau. First, second, and third place winners in Edmonson County received a medallion, medallion stand, a small cash prize and a certificate commemorating their win from the Edmonson County Conservation District, with the county winner also receiving a plaque. South Edmonson Elementary also received $100 from the Conservation District for having the highest percentage of entries, to be used at their discretion. 

Additional winners are second place, Parin Patel, and third place Annalee Vincent, both from South Edmonson Elementary.

Johnson said there were six entries in the contest from last year in Edmonson County.

"Hopefully we will have more participants next year," she said. "Due to the pandemic, it was very difficult for our teachers and students to participate."

There were no entries in the Conservation Writing Contest.