Spring snow doesn't slow Ag Day

Though a frosty blanket of snow covered Phillips County on Friday, that didn't stop the 30-or-so vendors and non-profits from setting up their booths at the City Hall in Malta as this year's installment of Ag Day took place.

The un-spring weather didn't stop people from attending either.

"There are a lot of people here today," said Michelle Sather who was working at the Health-Care Foundation Booth. "It has been a really good turnout and this is a great way for people in our community to come together."

Toward the end of the four hour event, six students from Malta Elementary were brought to the gym to receive their awards after drawing they did were submitted into this year's Ag in Montana Bumper Sticker Contest. Malta Cattle Women sponsored the event and each talented artist received a coupons for free cheeseburgers from Dairy Queen.

Owen Thompson, in the first grade, did a drawing of a cow with the phrase "I love Montana" for his bumper sticker.

"I came up with it in my mind," he said of where the inspiration came from. He said he was happy with how his drawing turned out and thought he would do well if he kept one thing in mind.

"Just draw a nice picture," he said.

Addison Ulrich, of the second grade, did a drawing of pigs, a farmer and some stalks of corn. She said her inspiration for her drawing came as soon as crayons hit paper. She said that her favorite part of the project was "the creativity," but added that she wasn't a big fan of cheeseburgers.

Kennedy Koss, a third grader, used the slogan "Montana grows the best cattle" on her bumper sticker. She said she wasn't sure how she came up with the catchphrase, stating that she started drawing and ran with it. She said that she hasn't been drawing cows for very long and that her favorite things to draw are "creative things."

"I just thought of cows on a ranch eating hay," she said of her winning entry, adding that she is a big fan of cheeseburgers with only ketchup. "They are good."

Shane Soul, of the fourth grade, did a drawing of a skeleton on his bumper sticker, but said he wasn't sure where the idea sprang from. He said that he did the drawing of the skeleton first and then came up with the phrase "Montana noxious weeds will make your crops as dry as bones." He added that the best thing he has ever drawn is Scooby Doo.

Kylie Hunter, of the fifth grade, used the phrase "Grains of Montana" for her sticker, depicting a field of waving golden grain next to a red and purple barn.

"I just put it on there, I didn't have a plan," she said. "I like that it because it is kind of colorful."

She said that she like cheese and pickles on her burger and that she didn't think she would win.

"It was fun," she added.

Jillian O'Brien, of the sixth grade, used the phrase "Montana needs agriculture. Bakery, grocery store, clothing, mechanics." She said that she doesn't draw very much so to have her entry win for the sixth grade caught her off-guard.

"My teacher told me after I won," she said. "I was surprised."

She said that during class, her teacher discussed agriculture and that she came up with her idea on the spot. Though she found success with her drawing, her career path is not one of an artist.

"I'm going to be an orthodontist," she said.

After being displayed at Ag Day in Malta on Friday, the six winning entries are to be forwarded to Helena and entered into a state competition.