Photo Contest

Photos Show the Groundbreaking Innovations, People and Partnerships  Behind America’s Growing Sustainable Agriculture Movement

Four photographers will travel to SARE’s historic 20th Anniversary New American Farm Conference, March 25-27th in Kansas City, MO.

From the taro fields of Hawaii to Vermont’s verdant dairy country – SARE received more than 220 entries for its 20th Anniversary New American Farm Photo Contest.

The stunning array of high-quality submissions all testify to the enormous commitment and passion of America’s sustainable farmers, ranchers and agricultural educators, many of whom were the photographers themselves.

Award selections were not easy. Agriculture and communications experts from around the country helped select one Grand-Prize winner and several honorable mentions from each of SARE’s four regions. Final decisions were based on photo quality and the depiction of the innovations, people or partnerships behind today’s sustainable agriculture.

Photo Contest Rules:

Check out the results!

North Central Grand-Prize Winner Steve Pope This photo depicts Frank R. Reese, Jr., a fourth-generation Kansas farmer and founder of Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch. The photo depicts Reese’s life-long work with Heritage Turkeys – breeding, hatching and raising quality, old-breed turkeys for the market and for other growers to raise. Categories: The Diverse Sustainable Agriculture Community; Land and Water Stewardship

Northeast Grand-Prize Winner Troy Bishopp This is the first day for the family on the grazing system. The system saves feed and labor costs, fuel, and builds a sustainable future for the next generation. Photo taken at Sunrise Dairy Farm in Canastota, NY above Oneida Lake. Categories: Land and Water Stewardship; the Diverse Sustainable Agriculture Community

South Grand-Prize Winner Robert Friedman Each summer, Serenbe Farms in Georgia plants several, long beds of flowers, including multiple types of amaranth and sunflowers. The pollen of these flowers nourishes countless bees and provides an ecosystem to insects, such as this butterfly. Cucumbers thrive in their symbiotic relationship with the sunflower plant, crawling up their sturdy stalks. Category: Land and Water Stewardship

West Grand-Prize Winner Heidi Rader This photo, taken in Alaska, is a good example of how small-scale agriculture can offer a greater variety of produce to consumers. When profit is the only motivation, consumers might not have access to a variety like Romanesco Veronica F1, which does not travel well and is only possible to sell within a small radius. This picture shows how small, local farms can add diversity and quality to our diets while large corporations provide great quantities of cheap standards. Category: Communities and Markets

Honorable Mentions

North Central Region
Northeast Region
Western Region
Southern Region