News Release

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – An action photo of a traditional ranching activity has been named the 2025 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest Best in Show. Holly Brown of Webb City, Mo., submitted the photo, which was chosen from more than 700 entries to the contest.

“This year’s photo entries once again vividly highlight Missouri agriculture, from the everyday moments in the field to the farmers who make it all happen,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn said. “We are thrilled each year to see the creativity and passion captured, and are excited to showcase these at the Missouri State Fair.”

Photos were entered in four categories: Beauty of the Farm, Faces of the Farmer, Around the Barnyard and Everyday Life. Photographers ages 12 and under entered their shots in the Kid’s Corner category. In total, 21 winning photos were selected by a panel of three judges from the agriculture industry.  

A special award was also given again this year to the photo selected as the First Family’s Choice. Governor Mike Kehoe and Mrs. Claudia Kehoe chose a photo by Cara Hanway of St. Joseph, Mo., that captures a corn harvest at sunset.

The winning photos will be on display in the Agriculture Building throughout the Missouri State Fair, Aug. 7-17, 2025. The 2025 winners are:

BEST IN SHOW: “Let 'er Buck” by Holly Brown of Webb City, Mo.

FIRST FAMILY’S CHOICE: “Painted Skies” by Cara Hanway of St. Joseph, Mo.

BEAUTY OF THE FARM:

• 1st Place: “Sunbeam Planting” by Pam Thompson of Lohman, Mo.
• Runner-Up: “Pause for Nature!” by Stephanie Reid of Brunswick, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “Barn Rise” by Tony Cook of Fayette, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “Quiet Time at the Farm” by Hitomi Patterson of Gower, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARMER:

• 1st Place: “Josh Payne” by Cory MacNeil of Columbia, Mo.
• Runner-Up: “Cold Drink” by Hannah Fritsche Donze of Perryville, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “The Final Sort” by Jaqueline Emerson of Salisbury, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “Daniel Bonacker” by Cory MacNeil of Columbia, Mo.

EVERYDAY LIFE:

• 1st Place: “Air Tractor Sunset Fertilizing” by Laura Breckenridge of Neelyville, Mo.
• Runner-Up: “Fixing a Grain Bin” by Nicole Baker of Mexico, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “Drone Chasing the Drone” by Pam Thompson of Lohman, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “One more Bale” by Hailey Speagle of Farber, Mo.

AROUND THE BARNYARD:

• 1st Place: “Snow White” by Holly Brown of Webb City, Mo.
• Runner-Up: “All Together Now” by Tony Cook of Fayette, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “Charolais Cow” by Cory MacNeil of Columbia, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “Among the Wildflowers” by Lauren Linck of Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Kids’ Corner:

• 1st Place: “Play Time” by Makina Long of Farber, Mo.
• Runner-Up: “Oakley” by Easton Redhage of Gerald, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “The Three Ducklings” by Katelyn Mabrey of Columbia, Mo.
• Honorable Mention: “Meeko” by Easton Redhage of Gerald, Mo.

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

To download a high-resolution image of this year’s Best in Show for publication, click here.

For more information on the 2024 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest and other Missouri Department of Agriculture programs, visit the Department online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov.

###