News Release

Today, the Missouri Department of Agriculture launched Focus on Missouri Agriculture, an online photo contest asking the public to help capture the story of agriculture in pictures. The contest, which will run through July 26, asks amateur photographers to submit their best photographs depicting Missouri agriculture.

"Every farm has a story to tell and photos are a great way to capture this story," says Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "This contest will allow Missourians to share their favorite pictures of the farm with others who share a love for agriculture and appreciate the diversity of agriculture in Missouri."

The contest is open to the public and participants can enter up to three photos in each of the five categories. The categories include: The Beauty of the Farm, Faces of the Farm, The Farming Life, The Pride of the Farm and Children's Barnyard, which is open to photographers age 12 and under. Entries will be judged on visual impact, creativity, memorable content and image quality.

The contest offers big prizes and many chances to win thanks to the Missouri Department of Agriculture's AgriMissouri program. A $50 AgriMissouri gift basket will be awarded to the winner in each category, while the single image selected as the judges' favorite overall will receive a $100 gift basket as the Best of Show winner. The Children's Barnyard category winner will receive an agritourism outdoor adventure. Winners will be announced at the 2010 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, August 12-22, and will be eligible for inclusion in a commemorative Missouri agriculture calendar.

For a complete list of rules and guidelines, visit mda.mo.gov/focus/. Photos submitted to the contest will be placed on the MoAgriculture Flickr page at flickr.com/photos/moagriculture. Photos must be submitted by July 26.