2019 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest Winners Announced

The winners of the 2019 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest were recently announced.
Photo by: picjumbo_com

The shot of an inquisitive young boy learning how to bottle feed a newborn calf is the Best of Show in the 2019 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest, hosted by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The photograph, submitted by Marcy Donelson of Mercer County, was chosen from among the 712 photos submitted by amateur photographers from across Missouri. All the winning photos can be found online at mda.mo.gov.

"Each of these incredible photographs tells a unique story of both our Missouri farm families and our rural communities," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "The talent of these amateur photographers wonderfully showcases the exceptional work and unforgettable spirit found throughout Missouri agriculture.

Photos were submitted in four categories, including The Beauty of the Farm, Faces of the Farm, The Farmer's Life and The 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, 20 winners were selected by a panel of judges consisting of USDA - Farm Service Agency Public Affairs and Outreach Specialist Dana Rogge, Missouri Division of Tourism Communications Manager Stephen Foutes and MFA, Inc. Photojournalist Austin Black.

The winning photos were unveiled during the opening ceremony for the Missouri State Fair. They will be on display in the Agriculture Building on the fairgrounds and are also available online via mda.mo.gov. A list of winners is below:

BEST OF SHOW: "Feeding the Baby" by Marcy Donelson of Princeton, Mo.

THE BEAUTY OF THE FARM: First Place: "Tall and Proud" by Laurie Link of Meadville, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Dusk and Dust" by Trinnade Hughes of Nevada, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Running Down Grandma's Lane" by Heather Aulgur of Gilliam, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Move ‘em Out" by Frank Smith of Salem, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARM: First Place: "Grandpa's Helper" by Heather Aulgur of Gilliam, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Being Mischievous" by Tommy Kays of Richland, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Fill ‘er Up" by Nova Hughes of Bolckow, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Watermelon Harvest" by Chasity Jensen of Liberal, Mo.

THE FARMER'S LIFE: First Place: "Lunch Time Hug and I Love You Daddy" by Trinnade Hughes of Nevada, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Checking Seed Depth" by Laurie Link of Meadville, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Kids Jumping on the Hay Bales" by Debra Schmidt of Russellville, Mo.

THE PRIDE OF THE FARM: First Place: "Timpte Tempt Me" by Cody Hughes of Nevada, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Teamwork is Pulling Together" by Donna Lindahl of Amity, Mo. Honorable Mention: "September Hay" by Eric Craft of Jackson, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Ready to Ride" by Leann Martin of Salisbury, Mo.

CHILDREN'S BARNYARD: First Place: "Eye to Eye" by Schyler Angell of Paris, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Days End" by Julia Reynolds of Lawson, Mo. Honorable Mention: "In My Brother's Eyes" by Caleb Hughes of Nevada, Mo. Honorable Mention: "Get Me Outta Here" by Kenzee Gladbach of Marceline, Mo.

All the photos entered in this year's contest can be found on the Department's Flickr stream. For more information on the 2019 Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest and other Missouri Department of Agriculture programs, visit the Department online at mda.mo.gov.