News Release

The striking image of a hard working woman hefting a bale of hay onto the bed of a pickup truck, captured in the truck's mirror, was selected as the Best of Show in the 2011 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The photograph, submitted by Colene McWilliams of Ray County, was chosen out of nearly 750 photos submitted by amateur photographers from all regions of Missouri. A gallery of the winning photos can be found at Flickr.com/MoAgriculture.

"The overall winning photograph perfectly captures the very essence of farm life," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "The talent and hard work shown in each of these photos is a testament to the people of Missouri's agriculture industry. These images are exactly what we were hoping to see when we announced this contest. The pride, hard work and indelible spirit of farm families comes through in every shot."

Photographers submitted photos into four main categories, which included The Beauty of the Farm, The Farmer's Life, The Faces of the Farm and The Pride of the Farm. A fifth category, called The Children's Barnyard was exclusively for photographers age 12 and under. In total, 31 winners were selected by a panel of expert judges consisting of Missouri Department of Conservation Art Director Cliff White, USDA Rural Development Public Information Coordinator George Thomas, University of Missouri Extension Service Senior Information Specialist Curt Wohleber and Brooke Kempker, Missouri Department of Agriculture Marketing and Graphics Specialist.

The winning photos were displayed in the Agriculture Building at the Missouri State Fair and are now available online. A list of winners is below:

BEST OF SHOW:
"Getting the Job Done" by Colene McWilliams of Ray County, Mo.

THE BEAUTY OF THE FARM:
First Place: "Sunset from a Barn Loft" by Heather Aulgur of Marshall, Mo.
First Runner Up: "On My Way To Work" by Tammi Elbert of Washington, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Beautiful Little Goat" by Colene McWilliams of Ray County, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Evening in the Field" by Courtney Jones of Stockton, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Missouri Grain Bins" by Jeff Faller of Mayview, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Winter Wagon" by Jenny Holt of Mayview, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Field with Red Barn" by Larry Braun of Scott County, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARM:
First Place: "Just like Pops" by Karen Kinsler of Elsberry, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Chicks Dig Me!" by Chris Mattson of Stanberry, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Country Boys" by Dawn Stone of Eolia, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Devotion" by Connie Smiley of Ozark, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Touch and Kiss of a Farm Family" by Elishah Watson of Branson, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Curiosity" by Jamie Patton of Maryville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Will and Dusty" by Danelle Engel of Worth, Mo.

THE FARMER'S LIFE:
First Place: "Preparing a Meal" by Alex Snyder of Green Castle, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Tractor Trouble" by Danelle Engel of Worth County, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Koby's Elbow Grease" by Brenda Linder of Green Castle, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Old School" by Jean Rissover of Ste. Genevieve County, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Perfect Silhouette" by Tammi Elbert of Washington, Mo.

THE PRIDE OF THE FARM:
First Place: "Wheat Harvest" by Trinnade Hughes of Nevada, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Lily" by Charmian Petal Stanley of Carrollton, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "My Pigs" by Clara Jungermann, Lincoln County, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Farm Hands Gathering" by Elishah Watson of Branson, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Ford Tough" by Michelle Pearson
Honorable Mention: "Rusty" by Marcy Mason of Princeton, Mo.

CHILDREN'S BARNYARD:
First Place: "Old Red Barn" by Cody Jedlicka, age 5, Rover, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Baby Blue Jays" by Simeon Yemm, age 10, of Marquand, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "The Winding Road" by Brianna Baker of Troy, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Chicken Talk" by Hannah Willis, age 9, of Troy, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Working in the Corn" by James Lober, age 9, of Moscow Mills, Mo.

For more information on the 2011 Focus on Missouri Agriculture photo contest or other Missouri Department of Agriculture programs, visit http://www.mda.mo.gov.