There’s no doubt that Colorado has captured a good chunk of natural beauty from its mountain vistas to its front range scope. Yet that beauty stretches into agriculture too, as the winners of the state’s annual photo contest demonstrated again this year.

The “Colorado … It’s Agricultural” contest is designed to showcase the spirit of the state's agriculture. And a look at this year's winners offers fine viewing.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: This image — “Farming With Dad,” by Brian Biesemeier of Sedgwick, Colo. — evokes the charm of a true next-generation farmer.

Wendy White, marketing specialist at the Colorado Department of Agriculture, helps run the contest. She notes the state received 110 entries featuring agriculture from every corner of the state. “It is always exciting to see how photographers capture Colorado Farms and Ranches,” she adds.

Winners were chosen based on their relation to Colorado agriculture. In addition, creativity and technical quality were considered. The grand prize winner is Brian Biesemeier of Sedgwick, Colo., with the entry titled “Farming With Dad.” It features a boy with his toy tractor in the field, and Dad’s tractor is in the background.

Other top finishers include Travis Harvey of Castle Rock, Colo., who took first place in the crops category with a stunning aerial view of harvest (shown); Carolyn Keller of Monte Vista, Colo., who took first place in livestock with a colorful fall photo of sheep; Dave Ritchey of Kit Carson, Colo., who took first place for wildlife in agriculture with his image of wild turkeys; and Leah Hartman of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., who took first place in the open professional category with an image called “When two worlds collide,” showing a vintage windmill backed by modern wind turbines.

Individuals receiving an honorable mention include Dan Harvey, Monte Vista, Colo.; Savannah Schlaufman, Manassa, Colo.; Holly Kaye, Byers, Colo.; Bill Chiles, Hooper, Colo.; Ryan Kanode, Haxtun, Colo.; Matthew Lahn, Fountain, Colo.; and Karen Mack, Craig, Colo.

The photo contest program, which started in 1998, is sponsored by the AgInsights Committee of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and by Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, Colo. Winning photos will be displayed in the Beede-Hamil Agriculture Building at Northeastern Junior College.

Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture