News Release

The whimsical image of a boy enjoying a quick drink of water from an old-fashioned water pipe outdoors was selected as the Best of Show in the 2012 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The photograph, submitted by Mallory Mullally of Raytown, was chosen out of more than 700 photos submitted by amateur photographers from all regions of Missouri. A gallery of the winning photos can be found online at http://www.flickr.com/moagriculture/.

"The winning photograph perfectly captures a memory of growing up on the farm," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "The talent and dedication shown in each of these photos is simply outstanding. The pride, hard work and indelible spirit of farm families comes through in every shot. These images are exactly what we were hoping to see when we announced this contest."

The winning photos and their photographers will be recognized during a ceremony in the Agriculture Building on Thursday, Aug. 9 as part of the opening day of the Missouri State Fair. The photos will be on display in the Agriculture Building throughout Fair and are available online at mda.mo.gov.

Photographers submitted photos into four 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, 21 winners were selected by a panel of expert judges consisting of Missouri Department of Conservation Art Director Cliff White, University of Missouri Extension Service Senior Information Specialist Curt Wohleber and professional photographer Kari Reichard of Kari Leigh Photography in Jefferson City, Mo.

A list of winners is below:

BEST OF SHOW:
"Water Break" by Mallory Mullally of Raytown, Mo.

THE BEAUTY OF THE FARM:
First Place: "Morning Feed" by Marcy Mason of Princeton, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Black and White Early Morning Snowstorm" by Jeremy Dixon of Eldon, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Three Lovely Longhorns" by Donna Lindahl of Amity, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Favorite Barn" by Janice Gunter Moss of West Plains, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARM:
First Place: "Gonna Be A Farmer" by Heather Aulgur of Gilliam, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Missouri Muleskinner" by Chasity Jensen of Liberal, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Seeds of the Earth" by Helena Ballmann of Augusta, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Watermelon and Giggles" by Heather Aulgur of Gilliam, Mo.

THE FARMER'S LIFE:
First Place: "Mom's Ride" by Ella Snelson of St. James, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Playing in the Feed Trough" by Heather Aulgur of Gilliam, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Bailing It Up" by Lisa Harke of Old Monroe, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Feeding Time" by Jennifer Tollison of Dixon, Mo.

THE PRIDE OF THE FARM:
First Place: "Wheat Harvest Time" by Trinnade Hughes of Nevada, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Semi-Retirement" by Crystal Gudgell of Meadville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Farm Truck" by Emily Curtis, of Thompson, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Taking a Break" by Laurie Link of Meadville, Mo.

CHILDREN'S BARNYARD:
First Place: "Farm Boys Road" by Chesney Aulgur, of Gilliam, Mo.
First Runner Up: "Frog in the Pond" by Blake Aulgur, of Gilliam, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Color Doesn't Matter" by Whitney Buetcher of Tuscumbia, Mo.
Honorable Mention: "Barnyard Buzzards" by Lauren Sullivan, of Clinton, Mo.

Check out the winning photos in the Agriculture Building throughout the 2012 Missouri State Fair, which will be held Aug. 9-19 in Sedalia. For more information, visit mo.gov.