Jim Claypool Art & Conservation Writing Contest
2024 Theme: Protecting the Forest Together, Forestry and Forest Health
Choose your topic from the annual tabloid.
Each year, thousands of Kentucky students participate in the Jim Claypool Conservation Writing Contest (established in 1944) and the Jim Claypool Art Contest (established in 1974, for younger students).
The contests intend to educate students on soil, water, forestry and wildlife conservation. Students review the information presented in the annual "tabloid" --published by the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts and partners -- and translate the information into a creative work of art or writing. They can receive prizes at the county, regional, and state levels, and they earn recognition by conservation districts around the state!
The contest is made possible through sponsors such as the Kentucky Association of Conservation Districts, Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation, Division of Conservation, and 121 conservation districts in Kentucky.
The contest is administered each fall. Works of art and writing are due to the Fayette County Conservation District office by December 1. Local finalists are then selected, awarded locally(!), and submitted to the state contest officials by December 31.
In an effort to reduce paper waste, the Fayette County Conservation District will not be distributing paper tabloids at present, instead the statewide learning tool in the 2024 Theme: Protecting the Forest Together: Forestry and Forest Health can be found here. Application found at the top of this page.
Fayette County, KY instructors interested in participating: please contact us! EMAIL: support@kyfccd.com
2024 Award Structure
$100 (1st place)
$75 (2nd place)
$50 (3rd place)
Students, up to Grade 5, who enter the ART contest:
$100 (1st place)
$75 (2nd place)
$50 (3rd place)
Students, Grades 6-12, who enter the WRITING contest:
$50 to 2 Educators named on student entries, selected at random
$75 to 1 Educator named on the entry of the Art Contest 1st Place entrant (K-5 only)
$50 to 1 Educator named on the entry of the Art Contest 2nd Place entrant (K-5 only)
$75 to 1 Educator named on the entry of the Writing Contest 1st Place entrant (6-12 only)
$50 to 1 Educator named on the entry of the Writing Contest 2nd Place entrant (6-12 only)
Educators (limited to one financial award per educator)
2023 1st Place (Art)
School Participant: Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary
THEME: Keeping it Wild! Sustaining Kentucky’s Native Wildlife
2023 2nd Place (Art)
School Participant: Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary
THEME: Keeping it Wild! Sustaining Kentucky’s Native Wildlife
2023 3rd Place (Art)
School Participant: Community Montessori
THEME: Keeping it Wild! Sustaining Kentucky’s Native Wildlife
2023 1st Place (Writing)
School Participant: Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary
THEME: Keeping it Wild! Sustaining Kentucky’s Native Wildlife
2023 2nd Place (Writing)
School Participant: Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary
THEME: Keeping it Wild! Sustaining Kentucky’s Native Wildlife
2023 3rd Place (Writing)
School Participant: Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary
THEME: Keeping it Wild! Sustaining Kentucky’s Native Wildlife
2022 1st place (Art)
THEME: Take a Hike (Soil)
2022 2nd Place (Art)
THEME: Take a Hike (Soil)
2022 3rd Place (Art)
THEME: Take a Hike (Soil)
2022 1st Place (Writing)
THEME: Take a Hike (Soil)
2022 2nd Place (Writing)
THEME: Take a Hike (Soil)
2022 TIE 3rd Place (Writing)
THEME: Take a Hike (Soil)
2021 1st place (Art)
THEME: We All Need Water
2021 2nd Place (Art)
THEME: We All Need Water
2021 3rd Place (Art)
THEME: We All Need Water
2021 1st Place (Writing)
THEME: We All Need Water
2021 2nd Place (Writing)
THEME: We All Need Water
2021 3rd Place (Writing)
THEME: We All Need Water
2019 1st Place (Art)
THEME: Things that Fly
2019 2nd Place (Art)
THEME: Things that Fly
2019 3rd Place (Art)
THEME: Things that Fly