Peggy Bellar’s view of harvest captures the bounty of agriculture.

Peggy Bellar Takes Grand Prize in NCGA Gallery of Corn Photo Contest (1-9-07)

For the second consecutive year, Peggy Bellar of Howard, Kan., snapped the grand prize photo in the 2006 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Gallery of Corn Photo Contest. Judges selected her photo, entered in the “Harvest” category, as the contest’s “best of show.”

Hundreds of photos were entered in the third annual photo contest. NCGA members, their families, state association staff and NCGA staff were eligible to enter photos that captured corn in the field, past and present life on the farm, and scenic farm landscapes. The panel of judges for the contest included Gregg Hillyer of Progessive Farmer magazine.

“We are extremely pleased with the quality of excellent photos submitted by our grower members and staff the past two years,” said Matt Gibson, chairman of NCGA’s Grower Services Action Team, which has oversight of the contest. “These photos truly give Americans images of what life is like on the farm and how we plant, grow and harvest America’s top crop. We appreciate all of the entrants for taking part in the contest this year.”

Bellar will receive $500 for her “best of show” entry. All winning photos will be showcased at the 2007 Commodity Classic in Tampa, Fla., March 1-3. NCGA will also use photos from the contest for its publications, promotions and Web site.

NCGA is greatly impressed by the wide range of images and hope these photographs of farming, crops, land and farm families will show others that agriculture is invaluable to the nation.

Following are the photo contest categories and the first, second and third place winners in each:

Families on the Farm: Gary Hadden, Jacksonville, Ill.; James Peck, Newark, N.Y.; Michelle Swanson, Elbow Lake, Minn.

Growing: Billy Joe Nichols, Princeton, KY.; Ann Jorgenson, Garrison, Iowa; Don Diehl, Northfield, Minn.

Harvest: Peggy Bellar, Howard, Kan.; Janice Densch, Eldorado, Ill.; Eric Vieselmeyer, Holyoke, Colo.

Historic: Bob Dickey, Laurel, Neb.; Kristen Hinman, Wheatland, Wyo.; Renee Burton, Cameron, Ill.

Livestock: Peggy Bellar, Howard, Kan.; Anjanette Radney, Titusville, Fla.; Renee Burton, Cameron, Ill.

Planting: Eric Elsbernd, Postville, Iowa; James Peck, Newark, N.Y.; Scott Lang, Buffalo Lake, Minn.

Scenic: Janice Densch, Eldorado, Ill.; Don Diehl, Northfield, Minn.; Della Dell, Westminster, Md.

See the 2004 Winners
See the 2005 Winners
See the 2006 Winners