News Release

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – A portrait of harvesting a cornfield at dusk is the Best in Show in the 2015 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest, hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The photograph, submitted by Ashley Franken of Pilot Grove, Mo., was chosen from among the record-breaking 850 photos submitted by amateur photographers from across Missouri. All the winning photos can be found online at agriculture.mo.gov. 

“I treasure the sights of Missouri agriculture because they tell the great story of our industry, from a photo of farm equipment during harvest to a farmer rescuing a newborn calf,” Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce said. “This year’s winning photographs beautifully capture the essence of Missouri’s farms and farm families.”

Photos were submitted in four categories, Beauty of the Farm, Faces of the Farm, The Farmer's Life and Pride of the Farm. Photographers age 12 and under were also able to enter their shots in a special category, Children's Barnyard. In total, 21 winners were selected by a panel of judges consisting of Stephen Foutes, Communications Manager at the Missouri Division of Tourism, Tony Benz, Missouri Department of Agriculture Director of Legislative Affairs, Dana Rogge, USDA – Farm Service Agency Public Affairs and Outreach Specialist; Misti Preston, Missouri Department of Agriculture Director of Strategic Initiatives; and Ben Yarnell, New Media Specialist at the Missouri Division of Tourism.

The winning photos will be on display in the Agriculture Building on the fairgrounds throughout the Missouri State Fair Aug. 13-23, 2015, and are also available online at agriculture.mo.gov. The winners will be recognized at the Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture Dec. 16-18, 2015, at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach. The 2015 winners are:

BEST IN SHOW:
“Full Hopper” by Ashley Franken of Pilot Grove, Mo.

BEAUTY OF THE FARM:
Winner: “Headed Home” by Heather Emmendorfer of Savannah, Mo.
First Runner Up: “Brrr” by Ashley Franken of Pilot Grove, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “New Day Begins” by Melinee Mabe of Steelville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Venturing Out of the Barn” by Darby Schmidt of Defiance, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARM:
Winner: “Grandpa Harrellson” by Amanda Lovell of Wentzville, Mo.
First Runner Up: “Cowlick” by Ashley Franken of Pilot Grove, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Are They Ready” by Laurie Link of Meadville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Natalie” by Barb Dummermuth of California, Mo.
THE FARMER'S LIFE:
Winner: “Generations” by Kaylin Bade of Leslie, Mo.
First Runner Up: “The Bare Minimum” by Mark Fretwell of Jefferson City, Mo.
Honorable Mention:  “Feeding the Calf” by Carol Robertson of Fulton, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Sunday Drive” by Donna Lindahl of Knob Noster, Mo.

PRIDE OF THE FARM:
Winner: “Ol’ Trusty” by Nova Hughes of Bolckow, Mo.
First Runner Up: “Almost Done” by Heather Emmendorfer of Savannah, Mo.
Honorable Mention:  “Twin” by Marcy Donelson of Princeton, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Grandpa’s Tractor” by Darby Schmidt of Defiance, Mo.

CHILDREN'S BARNYARD:
Winner: “My Mommy” by Reed Miller of Palmyra, Mo.
First Runner Up: “Reflection” by Cody Jedlicka of Koshkonong Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Sow’s Up” by Ella Jordan of St. Joseph, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Barb Wire” by Megan Weaver of Savannah, Mo.


All the photos entered in this year’s contest can be found on the Department's Flickr stream. For more information on the 2015 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest and other Missouri Department of Agriculture programs, visit the Department online at agriculture.mo.gov.

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