SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the winners of the 2017 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. The annual contest encourages young photographers to share their vision of agriculture in our state.
“Each year, this photography contest highlights the beauty of Illinois agriculture and the talent of children throughout this state,” Frerichs said. “Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest, it was fun to get a glimpse of local farms, animals, and the beautiful landscape of the place we call home.” The winning entries will be featured in the Treasurer’s tent on the north side of Brian Raney Avenue during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The fair kicks off on August 10 with the Twilight Parade and ends on August 20.
Winning photo entries can be viewed here. Winning photos and other submissions will be used in a calendar and Ag Invest marketing materials for the agriculture industry.
Ag Invest is one of the nation’s largest agricultural linked deposit programs. It helps hundreds of Illinois farmers and agriculture professionals. The Treasurer’s Office, through Ag Invest, partners with eligible financial lenders to offer farmers annual and long-term, low-interest loans which can be used for operating costs, equipment purchases, construction-related expenses, and livestock purchases.
There were three age-based categories in this year’s photo contest: ages 8-10, 11-14, and 15-18.
Each student was allowed to submit up to two photos electronically by June 27. Photo judges were Rick Schramm of Illinois National Bank, Mary Morgan of Compeer Financial, Scott Rhoads of Carrollton Bank, and Ben Jackson of the Illinois Bankers Association. Mike Zigliani of Café Moxo in Springfield donated refreshments during the judging.
8-10 Age Bracket Winners:
First Place: Cooling Off, Abby Weber of Alpha, IL Second Place: Hay Bale and Blue Sky, Adalynn Stickel of Lacon, IL Third Place: Centennial Farm, Olivia Mizeur of Taylorville, IL 11-14 Age Bracket Winners:
First Place: What a Ham, Maggie Goodson of Greenville, IL First Place: Generations, Renee Gehrke of Byron, IL Second Place: Family Farm, Elsa Cole of Jacksonville, IL Third Place: Path to Farming, Emily Boecker of Morton, IL 15-18 Age Bracket Winners:
First Place: Best Friends, Trace Jochim of Viola, IL Second Place: My Best Side, Ben Nolan of McHenry, IL Third Place: End of Day, Sheldon Martin of Dongola, IL