July 26, 2017

2017 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest Winners Announced

JEFFERSON CITY

A breathtaking panoramic photo of a farm landscape at sunset is the Best in Show for the 2017 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest, hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The photograph, submitted by Marian Frizzell of Laclede, Mo., was chosen from among the record-breaking 1,370 photos submitted by amateur photographers from across Missouri. 

“Our photo contest continues to draw entries from Missouri’s most accomplished amateur photographers,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “In these photos, we see the various faces and facets of Missouri agriculture. They showcase the beauty of our Missouri family farms and demonstrate the passion farmers have for this lifestyle.”

Photos submitted by individuals 13 and older, were placed into five categories: Beauty of the Farm, Faces of the Farm, Farm Selfie, The Farmer's Life and Pride of the Farm. Photographers age 12 and under entered their shots in the Children's Barnyard category. In total, 25 winners were selected by a panel of judges consisting of Dave Baker, Missouri Department of Agriculture; Dana Rogge, USDA Farm Service Agency; and Tisha Spencer, Firehouse Design.

In addition to awarding winners in each of these categories, the department introduced a People’s Choice Award this year. The winning photos were posted on Facebook from July 11-21, 2017, and a winner was selected based on the number of shares, comments and likes.

The winning photos will be on display throughout the Missouri State Fair Aug. 10-20, 2017, in the Agriculture Building. The 2017 winners are:

BEST IN SHOW:

End of a Harvest Day” by Marian Frizzell of Laclede, Mo. 

PEOPLE'S CHOICE:

Beauty in the Flowers” by Devyn Keller of Farber, Mo.

BEAUTY OF THE FARM:

1st Place: “Barbwire Sunset” by Carla Hayes of Everton, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Pond Reflection” by Caitlin Jedlicka of Koshkonong, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Frosty Sunrise” by Cheri Messerli of California, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Fall on the Farm” by Cheryl Sloan of Cameron, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARM:

1st Place: “I'm Watching You” by Davin Stanley of Carrollton, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Maggie” by Colene McWilliams of Warrensburg, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Tall Tales” by Dan Borders of Chesterfield, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “How Many Days?” by Laurie Link of Meadville, Mo.

FARM SELFIE:

1st Place: “Sweet Duck” by Leah Stuart of Perry, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Beauty in the Flowers” by Devyn Keller of Farber, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Shadow Selfie” by Donna Lindahl of Knob Noster, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Oh My Goat” by Allison Fix of Carthage, Mo.

THE FARMER'S LIFE:

1st Place: “Reflecting Pool” by Tyler Mudd of Monroe City, Mo.
Runner-Up: “How's the Harvest?” by Mary McClanahan of Stewartsville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Preparing for Planting” by Nova Hughes of Bolckow, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Midnight Oil” by Caitlin Jedlicka of Koshkonong, Mo.

PRIDE OF THE FARM:

1st Place: “Aerial Harvest” by Michael Edwards of Sedalia, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Soybean Harvest” by Nova Hughes of Bolckow, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Angus Calf” by Kathy Wilkerson of Wappapello, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “A Fresh Start” by Rebecca Stroud of Philadelphia, Mo.

CHILDREN'S BARNYARD:

1st Place: “Daddy Checking Seed” by Kendall Link of Meadville, Mo.
Runner-Up: “My Old Rooster” by Austin Petzoldt of Jackson, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Old, but Loved” by Emma Bell of Bucklin, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “My Girl” by Samuel Jordan of Country Club, Mo.

All the photos entered in this year’s contest can be found on the department's Flickr stream

For more information on the 2017 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest and other Missouri Department of Agriculture programs, visit the department online at agriculture.mo.gov.

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