The results are in for the 2010 Westfield Ag Photo Contest, which was held during National Ag Week. As you'll see below, we asked entrants to tell us why they believed in National Ag Week. Although the formal celebration for was held March 14 - 20, please take the insights from our entrants as a reminder of why we should continue to celebrate agriculture every day!
The winner of our photo contest is Dan Fulk, Agricultural Education Teacher and FFA Advisor from Northwestern High School in West Salem, Ohio. The photo he submitted is of FFA member, Lisa Zavesky and her horse. Dan believes in National Ag Week because, "It's the perfect way to educate people about agriculture and it's important role in all of our lives. Agriculture is what this nation was founded upon, to not believe in agriculture is un-American. Agriculture is what keeps America going strong and it's heritage is rooted in every person's ancestry. Whether it be by a grandfather being a farmer or a mother serving as an Extension Agent, we are all connected to agriculture. National Ag Week gives all Americans the chance to truely appreciate our heitage and relationship to agriculture." Dan will receive a 1/16 scale Allis Chalmers 170, which is also a commemorative Keystone Farm Safety Tractor. We thank Dan for his commitment to serving agriculture and congratulate him on being selected as our winner!
Second place in the 2010 Westfield Ag Photo Contest goes to Paul Schrimpf of Willoughby, Ohio. Paul is a Group Editor for CropLife Magazine and took this photo during the fall of 2009 in Knox County, Ohio. When asked why he believes in National Ag Week, Paul's response was, "American farmers, and the individuals and companies that provide the seed, fertilizer and crop protection products feed more people on less land every year. National Ag Week is a time when agriculture can shed light on it's accomplishments and show consumers what's behind the bounty of their supermarket shelves." Paul will receive a 17 oz. Tervis Tumbler mug for his efforts. Thank you Paul for taking the time to enter our contest and for being selected as our second place winner!
Third place in this year's contest goes to Gloria Hafemeister of Hustiford, Wisconsin. Gloria told us, "Grazing is growing in popularity on many Wisconsin farms such as this one, operated by Carl Werner. Werner is so enthusiastic about the future of farming that he has worked with his local land trust to preserve his farm forever with a conservation easement. Here, Werner's nutritionist Art Gehring is looking over the pasture and offering comments to those attending a pasture walk where other graziers can learn from each other. Looking on is one of Werner's Holsteins. In appreciation for her entry, Gloria will also receive a 17 oz. Tervis Tumbler mug from Westfield Insurance for being selected as our third place winner!
Fortunately, we had great entries and were able to choose two photos for honorable mention. One of those goes to Bonnie Dell of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bonnie's photo is of Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia. Bonnie shared the following with us, "From our earliest days, agriculture has been the backbone of this nation. We not only feed those in our country, we help in feeding the world population. Everywhere you look, farmers are working to preserve our natural resources, our wildlife and to reduce soil erosion. Agriculture is 4H clubs, grange halls and FFA programs. Farmers sit on boards and actively particpate in environmental programs and civic organizations. It is important that the National Ag Day program is committed to increasing public awareness about American agriculture."
Our other honorable mention goes to Bethany Haynes of Creston, Ohio. Bethany's photo depicts an interesting close up shot of a Jersey cow. Jerseys are known for their curiosity and Bethany did a great job of capturing that quality in this individual! When asked why she believes in celebrating National Ag Week, Bethany's response was as follows, "I believe in celebrating National Ag Week because it's a way of life for many, but it is what is able to sustain life for so many more!" Thanks for your entry, Beth and congratulations for being selected as an honorable mention!
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