SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the winners of the 2018 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 9 with the Twilight Parade and ends on August 19.
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 26. Photo judges were FFA Director Mindy Bunselmeyer, Gary Mueller of Havana National Bank, Scott Rhoads of Carrollton Bank, and Rick Schramm of Illinois National Bank.
8-10 Age Bracket Winners:
First Place: Old John Deere, Olivia Mizeur of Taylorville, IL Second Place: Still Waiting, Olivia Mizeur of Taylorville, IL Third Place: Country Crossroads, Macy Price of Troy, IL
11-14 Age Bracket Winners:
First Place: Ag in the Air, Alexandria Cassens of Byron, IL Second Place: Lesson in Ag, Kailyn Williams of Raleigh, IL Third Place: A Mother’s Love, Drew Mickey of Taylorville, IL
15-18 Age Bracket Winners:
First Place: Sunrise, Kevin Toohill of Wapella, IL Second Place: Save the Bees, Kalen Carrelli of Oswego, IL Third Place: My Grandparents’ Farm, Jennifer Johnson of Hoffman, IL