Send us your best snapshots of Missouri Agriculture for this year’s Focus on Missouri Agriculture photo contest! Last year, we received nearly 1,000 entries showcasing Missourians’ passion for and commitment to the state’s top economic generator – agriculture. This year’s contest begins Monday, April 6, 2026.

Winning photos will be displayed in the Agriculture Building at the 2026 Missouri State Fair in Sedalia Aug. 13-23.

Photos will be accepted from Monday, April 6 through Friday, June 5, 2026.

Eligibility – The contest is open to any Missouri photographer and there is a special category for children ages 12 and under. Photographers may submit up to three entries per category, and the entries must show some aspect of agriculture including food production or agritourism in Missouri. Photos must have been taken in Missouri since January 1, 2023.

Want to check out previously submitted photos? Check out our Flickr stream.

Categories

Beauty of the Farm – Enter photographs that show the pictorial, scenic nature of Missouri farms, farming or agricultural products. Display the beauty of your farm!

Faces of the Farmer – Submit photos of Missouri farmers, farm families and people who make agriculture great! The story of agriculture is often told in the people who work and live on the land, so show us the faces that make your farm special.

Around the Barnyard – Show us your favorite farm animals! Livestock of all kinds make up farms across Missouri. Plus, what is agriculture without a few barn cats and farm dogs? We want to see your animals of all shapes and sizes.

Everyday Life – From planting and harvesting to chores and tractor rides, we want to see what takes place on your farm on a day to day basis. Whether you're a row crop farmer, an urban agriculturalist or a livestock producer, your daily routine matters to Missouri agriculture. Show us farming in action on your operation!

Kid’s Corner – FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS 12 AND UNDER. Children across the state are taking incredible photos of what agriculture means to them. That’s why we created a youth category - to showcase the talent of young Missourians! Parents, please do not submit photos you took of your children in this category.

Prizes

The photographer taking this year’s Best of Show photo, and all four category winners (first place only), will enjoy a gift box of Missouri products provided by contest sponsor, Missouri Grown. Prizes will be available for pick up at the Missouri State Fair or can be delivered/picked up after the State Fair.

Best of Show - Missouri Grown gift basket + canvas print of winning photo
Category Winner - Missouri Grown gift basket + canvas print of winning photo

Runners Up and Honorable Mentions for all categories, including the youth category, will receive a canvas print of their winning photo.

Contest Guidelines

1. Photos must show some aspect of agriculture including food production or agritourism in Missouri.
2. Photos must have been taken in Missouri since January 1, 2023, by the person submitting the image.
3. Limit of three entries per category per photographer.
4. Photos must be minimum resolution of 300 dpi
5. Photos must be cropped to a ratio of 2:3 or 3:2.
6. Photographers may receive the “First Place” award in only one category.
7. Significant digital manipulation of photos, digital signatures and watermarks are not allowed. Normal cropping, color correction, etc. are acceptable.
8. Employees of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and their immediate families are not eligible.
9. Photos entered in the contest may appear on the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s website, Flickr page, social media platforms and in Department publications. Winning photographs will be displayed at the Missouri State Fair.
10. Photographers must follow the legal guidelines.

2025 Winners:

BEST IN SHOW:
“Let ‘er Buck” by Holly Brown of Webb City, Mo.

FIRST FAMILY’S CHOICE:
“Painted Skies” by Cara Hanway of St. Joseph, Mo.

BEAUTY OF THE FARM:
1st Place: “Sunbeam Planting” by Pam Thompson of Lohman, Mo
Runner-Up: “Pause for Nature!” by Stephanie Reid of Brunswick, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Barn Rise” by Tony Cook of Fayette, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Quiet Time at the Farm” by Hitomi Patterson of Gower, Mo.

FACES OF THE FARMER:
1st Place: “Josh Payne” by Cory MacNeil of Columbia, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Cold Drink” by Hannah Fritsche Donze of Perryville, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “The Final Sort” by Jaqueline Emerson of Salisbury, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Daniel Bonacker”” by Cory MacNeil of Columbia, Mo.  

EVERYDAY LIFE:
1st Place: “Air Tractor Sunset Fertilizing” by Laura Breckenridge of Neelyville, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Fixing a Grain Bin” by Nicole Baker of Mexico, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Drone Chasing the Drone” by Pam Thompson of Lohman, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “One more Bale” by Hailey Speagle of Farber, Mo.

AROUND THE BARNYARD:
1st Place: “Snow White” by Holly Brown of Webb City, Mo.
Runner-Up: “All Together Now” by Tony Cook of Fayette, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Charolais Cow” by Cory MacNeil of Columbia, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Among the Wildflowers” by Lauren Linck of Lees Summit, Mo.

KID'S CORNER:
1st Place: “Play Time” by Makina Long of Farber, Mo.
Runner-Up: “Oakley” by Easton Redhage of Gerald, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “The Three Ducklings” by Katelyn Mabrey of Columbia, Mo.
Honorable Mention: “Meeko” by Easton Redhage of Gerald, Mo.