Young Creators Contest winners celebrated

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) is pleased to recognize this year’s Young Creators Contest winners, highlighting creativity, storytelling, and positive messages about cattle and the beef industry.

“The Young Creators Contest once again has provided a great opportunity for young people to show their talents and have fun while engaging on the subject of beef production,” says Josie Pashulka, one of this year’s judges and an ABP delegate who farms with her family near Derwent.

“What stood out this year wasn’t just creativity, it was the level of understanding behind it. These entries showed that young people aren’t just learning about agriculture, they’re thinking critically about how it connects to food, the environment, and their communities. That’s exciting to see.”

Next generation storytellers

The first-place award in the ages 19–23 category was earned by Annika Mouly — a teacher at Altario School — for her multimedia submission, “One Cow: How land, learning and community grow together.”

Mouly’s presentation tells the story of an agriculture education program at Altario School that helps students gain hands-on experience caring for cattle and learning about food production. The project began with a simple idea — raising a steer at the school — but quickly grew into a broader learning program supported by the local community.

“While this program started with one cow, it is not only about cattle,” says Mouly. “It is about shaping future leaders who understand stewardship and sustainability.”

Mouly grew up on a small beef farm with her grandparents, where experience with cattle played a formative role in her passion for agriculture. After becoming a teacher, she noticed how disconnected many students were from where their food comes from.

“That realization pushed me to advocate for agriculture education,” she says. “I have seen firsthand how hands-on learning with the land and cattle can transform education and shape the next generation.”

Emerging ag advocates

ABP also received a number of creative submissions from younger participants across Alberta classrooms. Among the K–12 entries, the Grade 5–8 category winner was Ellen Visko.

Her drawing stood out for its strong systems thinking and clear portrayal of the many roles cattle play in agriculture. The piece highlighted how cattle contribute to food production, land stewardship, and a wide range of everyday products.

Judges noted the submission’s creative approach and positive message about the impact of cattle on agriculture and the wider economy.

Overall, winners were recognized across categories including Kindergarten and under, Grades 1 to 4, Grades 5 to 8, Grades 9 to 12, and ages 19 to 23.

“There were so many great submissions, and we really enjoyed reviewing them,” says Cole Barten, an ABP delegate who lives and works with his family on a ranch south of Cardston. “ABP extends its thanks to all of our young creators who participated in this year’s contest, as well as the parents, guardians, and teachers who supported them.”

Enjoy examples of the drawing submissions here: