Young people seem to be a never-ending supply of creativity.

Perhaps it is because they don't have to clutter their minds with silly nonsense like paying bills and making dinner. Or maybe it's because they spend most of their day in an environment that is designed to expand their view of the world.

Whatever the reason, young people continue to amaze me.

I've never met Tara Roys, a senior at the Illinois Math and Science Academy, but she inspires me.

Tara is the winner of the 2005 Ag Day Essay Contest. We, at the High Plains Journal, enjoyed her essay so much that we decided to run it so all of our readers could be inspired. (See Keep America Bountiful below.)

The contest was sponsored by DuPont, with support from Case IH, High Plains Journal, National Association of Farm Broadcasters and National Agri-Marketing Association. The contest was part of the celebration of National Ag Day, March 20, and National Ag Week, March 20 to 26, organized by the Agriculture Council of America. She won a $1,000 award, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C., for the Ag Day reception.

Tara's essay illustrates what each agricultural producer does every day--tends to their young sprouts. Those sprouts could literally be sprouts in the field or young calves in the pasture.

Read Tara's essay and remember that the most important young sprouts on the farm are those that grow up to be creative young adults like Tara.

Holly Martin can be reached by phone at 1-800-452-7171 ext. 1806 or e-mail at hmartin@hpj.com.

Date: 3/23/05