Deadline approaching to focus on Missouri agriculture

Jun 03, 2015

Photo contest ends on Monday, June 15

Shutterbugs around Missouri who have an eye for photography and a passion for farming and agriculture are invited to participate in the Focus on Missouri Agriculture Photo Contest.

The contest, currently in its 6^th year, encourages people from all across the state to snap a picture of farm life. Whether it be the landscape, harvest, an old farm tractor or a newborn calf.

"The story of agriculture is varied and vast, and often best told by the people who live and breathe it every day,” said Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce. “I look forward to seeing Missourians’ outstanding talent come through in their photos of farm fields, livestock, equipment and our farm families.”

There are different categories for entrants to participate in, including Faces of the Farm and Beauty of the Farm. There’s a category for photographers under 12 years old – Children’s Barnyard.

Little boy taking a picture on a farm

Participants must submit their photos by June 15. Winners are eligible to receive gift cards to the AgriMissouri Market and have their images on display during the Missouri State Fair.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is having their own photo contest too.

Participants must be over the age of 18 and the pictures should display farmers’ dedication to their work.

Some of the categories include:

Technology (farmer using drones/smartphones/other tech)
Consumer Outreach (farmers interacting with consumers)

Submissions for the American Farm Bureau Federation will be accepted until March 31, 2016. Winners will be notified on April 15, 2016.

Tell us your thoughts on the two photo contests. Is one of your hobbies photography? What do you think would make a winning photo?

Video: Spring Planting Prep Just Got Serious… We NEED This!

Getting closer to planting season means one thing… it’s time to get EVERYTHING ready.

Today didn’t go exactly as planned—we thought we’d be hauling potatoes again, but instead we spent the day digging equipment out of the cellar, hooking up the grain drill, and getting tractors ready to roll. With wheat planting just around the corner, every piece of equipment matters.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a normal day without a few problems… dead batteries, hydraulic issues, and a truck tire that absolutely refused to cooperate. We tried everything—jump packs, bead bazooka, ratchet straps… and eventually had to bring out the “big guns” just to get things moving again.

But that’s farm life—adapt, fix, and keep moving forward.

We’re getting close to go-time. Wheat seed is coming soon, and planting season is right around the corner