CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Carolyn Baker says her father was the first Franklin County farmer to enter his farmland into farmland preservation, receiving a sum of money in exchange for guaranteeing his land will never be developed.

As an art teacher at Greencastle-Antrim High School, Baker teaches her students how art can be used to express an opinion and to educate.

She's combined her interests into the Farmland Preservation Art Contest, whose entries will be shown at Norlo Park in Chambersburg on Monday, March 31, through Thursday, April 10. Baker plans to make this an annual event.

Approximately 100 pieces of art were submitted for the contest, mostly from students in the county.

"I wanted to educate the students," Baker says. "They need to be involved in what's happening in their community. This is their community for the future."

The exhibit will also feature a photo of every county farm protected by farmland preservation, Baker says.

Exhibit hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. A reception will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 4. Admission is free.

Ribbons and trophies will be awarded for first place in each division - elementary school-age, middle school-age, high school-age and adult. The elementary school winner's art will be made into a place mat that will be distributed to Franklin County restaurants. The grand-prize winner will receive $250.