BANGOR – U.S. Rep. John Baldacci’s office has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Resource Conservation Service is joining with the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, to conduct a nationwide essay contest for sixth-, seventh- and eighth- grade students. The contest is intended to enhance understanding of agricultural science.

This fall, students will have the opportunity to write about one of several project topics, such as urban agriculture, bioenergy, conservation, technology, genetic modifications, food safety and atmospheric studies. Winners will be recognized at the school, congressional district, state and national levels. State and national winners also will be awarded savings bonds. The national winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip with his or her parents and teacher to Washington, D.C., for National Agriculture Week in March, where they will meet with members of Congress and officials from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The topics include as follows:

. Agriculture Science in the City: “The Importance of Agriculture for Urban Areas.”

. Alternative Fuel Research: “Bioenergy, Powering the Future.”

. Conservation of Resources: “Working Cooperatively to Ensure a Bounty of Food and Natural Resources.”

. Cultivating New Technologies: “Producing Food in Space” or “Using Lasers, Robots and Computers in Agriculture.”