Each year through the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, the conservation awards program provides competition and incentives to expand and improve conservation efforts, resource development, and increase the wise utilization of our renewable natural resources.
The Caldwell-Travis SWCD Board is pleased to announce the 2026 Youth Poster and Essay Contests for the local District level. The contest theme is:
“Soil. Where It All Begins”
These contests are open to all public, private, and homeschooled students residing within the Caldwell-Travis SWCD boundary.
This contest allows students to do their own research and make their original creation in response to the theme “Soil. Where It All Begins”, which celebrates the incredible power of soil to support life in all its forms.
Two contests are open to students residing within the Caldwell-Travis SWCD boundary...
Poster Contest:
Primary Division: Kindergarten through 2nd Grade.
Elementary Division: 3rd Grade through 6th Grade.
Essay Contest:
Junior Division: age 13 and under.
Senior Division: age 14 to 18 years old.
Forms for both contests are available in the links below.
Poster Contest (2 Divisions)
Primary Division: Kindergarten through 2nd Grade.
Elementary Division: 3rd Grade through 6th Grade.
Original posters should be drawn by hand and must address the 2026 theme of "Soil. Where It All Begins".
The title "Soil. Where It All Begins" must appear on the front of the poster. Posters must be submitted to Caldwell-Travis SWCD for local judging. This contest is open to youth residing within the Caldwell-Travis SWCD boundary. Students must be considered eligible under Texas University Interscholastic League eligibility requirements. Download the Poster Contest Form for complete details and entry instructions.
Essay Contest (2 Divisions)
Junior Division: age 13 and under. Maximum 300 words.
Senior Division: ages 14 to 18 years old. Maximum 500 words.
Original typed essays must address the 2025 theme of "Soil. Where It All Begins".
The theme "Soil. Where It All Begins" must appear in the essay title. Essays must be submitted to Caldwell-Travis SWCD for local judging. This contest is open to youth residing within the Caldwell-Travis SWCD boundary. Students must be considered eligible under Texas University Interscholastic League eligibility requirements. Download the Essay Contest Form for complete details and entry instructions.
The contest is now open for local submissions and closes at 4:30 PM on Friday, November 14, 2025. Submission directions are on the essay and poster contest forms. Email CaldwellTravis@SWCD.Texas.gov for additional information.