Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest

Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest

Send us your best snapshots of Missouri Agriculture for this year’s Focus on Missouri Agriculture photo contest! Last year, we received nearly 1,000 entries showcasing Missourians’ passion for and commitment to the state’s No. 1 economic generator – agriculture. This year’s contest begins Friday, April 5, 2024.

Contest winners will be displayed in the Agriculture Building at the 2024 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 8-18.

Photos will be accepted from Friday, April 5 through Friday, June 7, 2024.

Eligibility – The contest is open to any Missouri photographer and there is a special category for children ages 12 and under. Photographers may submit up to three entries per category, and the entries must show some aspect of agriculture including food production or agritourism in Missouri. Photos must have been taken in Missouri since January 1, 2021.

Want to check out previously submitted photos? Check out our Flickr stream at flickr.com/moagriculture.

Categories

Beauty of the Farm – Enter photographs that show the pictorial, scenic nature of Missouri farms, farming or agricultural products. Display the beauty of your farm!

Faces of the Farmer – Submit photos of Missouri farmers, farm families and people who make agriculture great! The story of agriculture is often told in the people who work and live on the land, so show us the faces that make your farm special.

Around the Barnyard – Show us your favorite farm animals! Livestock of all kinds make up farms across Missouri. And, what is agriculture without a few barn cats and farm dogs? We want to see your animals of all shapes and sizes.

Everyday Life – From planting and harvesting to chores and tractor rides, we want to see what takes place on your farm on a day to day basis. Whether you're a row crop farmer, an urban agriculturalist or a livestock producer, your daily routine matters to Missouri agriculture. Show us farming in action on your operation!

Kid’s Corner – FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS 12 AND UNDER. Children across the state are taking incredible photos of what agriculture means to them. That’s why we created a youth category - to showcase the talent of young Missourians! Parents, please do not submit photos you took of your children in this category.

Prizes

The photographer taking this year’s Best of Show photo, and all four category winners (first place only), will enjoy a plethora of Missouri products provided by contest sponsor, Missouri Grown. Prizes will be available for pick up at the Missouri State Fair or can be delivered/picked up after the State Fair.

Best of Show - Missouri Grown gift basket + canvas print of winning photo
Category Winner - Missouri Grown gift basket + canvas print of winning photo

Runners Up and Honorable Mentions for all categories, including the youth category, will receive a canvas print of their winning photo.

Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson will also evaluate the winning photos and select the First Family’s Choice photo.

How to Enter

• Submit up to three JPG/JPEG digital files per category no later than June 7, 2024
  • Use our online form at agriculture.mo.gov/focus/submit
    *Maximum file size to use online form is 10MB
    *If the photo you are submitting is larger than the submission portal allows, please e-mail your submissions to aginfo@mda.mo.gov.
  *Submitting your photo(s) is an agreement of all terms and conditions set forth in the guidelines.

Contest Guidelines

1. Photos must show some aspect of agriculture including food production or agritourism in Missouri.
2. Photos must have been taken in Missouri since January 1, 2021, by the person submitting the image.
3. Limit of three entries per category per photographer.
4. Photographers may receive the “First Place” award in only one category.
5. Significant digital manipulation of photos, digital signatures and watermarks are not allowed. Normal cropping, color correction, etc. are acceptable.
6. Employees of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and their immediate families are not eligible.
7. Photos entered in the contest may appear on the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s website, Flickr page, social media platforms and in Department publications. Winning photographs will be displayed at the Missouri State Fair.
8. Photographers must follow the legal guidelines.

2023 Winners:

BEST IN SHOW:
“Hitched” Tony Cook of Fayette, Mo.

FIRST FAMILY’S CHOICE:
“Little Future Farmer” by Lacie Ritter of Saint Mary, Mo.

BEAUTY OF THE FARM:
1st Place: “Sunset Planting” by Pamela Thompson of Lohman, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Dusty Bean Harvest” by Pamela Thompson of Lohman Mo.
Honorable Mention: “High Cotton” by Gage Silman of Lilbourn, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “After a Long Day” by Sherry Schulte of Maryville, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARM:
1st Place: “When Farming is All You Know” by Tamra McClellan of New Madrid, Mo
Runner-Up: “Supper from a Sack” by Pamela Thompson of Lohman, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Feeding Time” by Sherry Schulte of Maryville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “New to the Farm” by Kayla Colvin of Dixon, Mo.  

EVERYDAY LIFE:
1st Place: “Multitasker” by Holly Brown of Webb City, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Waiting Game” by Tamra McClellan of New Madrid, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Soybean Development” by Charlie Ebbesmeyer of Fayette, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Triticale Team” by Karrie Webb of Unionville, Mo.

AROUND THE BARNYARD:
1st Place: “Not in the Mood” by Christina Wheeler of Kennett, Mo.
Runner-Up: “All in a Row” by Makenna Merrifield of Adrian, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Bok Bok” by Jay Howie of Villa Ridge, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Feeding Time” by Pam Thompson of Lohman, Mo.

KID'S CORNER:
1st Place: “Funny Farm” by Carleigh Wilson of Warrensburg, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Fresh Harvest” by Erma Evans of Stewartsville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Our Red Barn” by Brock Watson of Lentner, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “After the Storm” by Charlot Thornton of Slater, Mo.

Photo submitted to the Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest can be found on the Department’s Flickr stream.