Genoa Middle School 7th graders Lucy Schlageter and Ava Houghtaling were first and second in a recent poster contest hosted by the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District has announced Ottawa County’s “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life” poster contest winners. Both winners are from Genoa Middle School and in 7th grade. Lucy Schlageter earned the first-place award and Ava Houghtaling came in second.

Both girls were featured on Ottawa SWCD’s social media and have had their posters made into placemats for the SWCD’s annual banquet in September. The top two posters will be sent to the State Competition, where two winners from across Ohio will head to the National Contest.

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the NACD Auxiliary is sponsoring the 2022 poster contest. This year’s theme is “Healthy Soil: Healthy Life.” A healthy soil is critical to provide the food we eat, habitat for wildlife and grow valuable products that we use every day. It is important that each of us does our part to care of our soil.