McDonald's What We're Made Of Contest

For the fourth year, Oregon Ag Fest is expanding its annual two-day event to include a special educational and fun activity day for fifteen winning Oregon and SW Washington fourth grade classes.

For a chance to be one of the fifteen classrooms, students need to enter the"McDonald's What We're Made Of" essay contest sponsored by Oregon Ag Fest and McDonald's of Oregon and SW Washington.

The idea behind the contest is to get students talking about the products that are grown and raised locally, in addition to what is unique about the food and fiber grown in their area. The essay guidelines are listed below. We've also included a"Grown in Oregon" postcard for you to use in your classroom as a discussion guide to help your students brainstorm essay topics. For more information on Oregon agriculture, including teacher resources, go to: http://aitc.oregonstate.edu/.

Contest Guidelines:

1. Essays not to exceed two-pages in length and must contain information about the food and/or fiber grown locally that will help educate others about agriculture in your area
2. Hand-drawn pictures that reflect the essay content are optional
3. Teacher may submit up to five essays from his/her classroom
4. Essays must include student's name, school, teacher's name, and grade level (3rd and 4th grade entries are accepted)
5. All essays must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 30, 2012
6. Mail essays, along with teacher contact info (including email and phone number) to:
   Oregon Ag Fest, P.O. Box 9141, Salem, OR 97305

Winning entries will be selected by April 6th, and teachers of winning essays will be notified via email. All entries received become the property of Oregon Ag Fest and will not be returned.

Winning students will receive a certificate, a portion of bus transportation costs* to the special Ag Fest event on Thursday, April 26, 2012, materials for the day, and snacks at the event. Activities for the day will include creating living necklaces, learning about locally grown food and nutrition, a source relay, mini-pedal tractor relays, Get Fit with Ronald Show, a variety of farm animals to pet, and much more!

Oregon Ag Fest is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) volunteer organization dedicated to educating the public about the importance of agriculture. Visit www.oragfest.com to learn more about the family oriented event that has been educating Oregonians for 25 years about where their food and fiber comes from, and helping people experience life on the farm.

McDonald's of Oregon and SW Washington is comprised of 140 franchised restaurants owned and operated by 26 owner/operators.

* Bus transportation reimbursement costs vary based on school location.