4th Annual Contest Honors Youth and Agriculture
Start Taking Photos for Next Year Today
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the winners of the 2016 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. The annual contest encourages young photographers to share their vision of agriculture in our state.
“The imagination of our children never fails to amaze and is clearly evident in these photos,” Frerichs said. “These beautiful images are strong evidence that our future is bright regardless of the challenges that we face today.”
The winning entries will be featured at the treasurer’s tent during the 164 th annual Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The fair’s opening twilight parade is Aug. 11. Fair presentation tents begin Aug. 12 and end with the fair’s afternoon closing on Aug. 21. Treasurer Frerichs’ primary tent will be on the north side of Brian Raney Avenue. The treasurer’s office will also have a presence inside the Illinois Building.
Winning photo entries can be viewed here. Winning photos and other submissions will be used in a calendar and Ag Invest marketing materials for the agriculture industry.
Ag Invest is one of the nation’s largest agricultural linked deposit programs. It helps hundreds of Illinois farmers and agriculture professionals. The treasurer’s office, through Ag Invest, partners with eligible financial lenders to offer farmers annual and long-term, low-interest loans which can be used for operating costs, equipment purchases, construction-related expenses, and livestock purchases.
There were three age-based categories in this year’s photo contest: ages 8-10, 11- 14, and 15- 18. Each student was allowed to submit electronically up to two photos by July 7. Photo judges were Rick Schramm of Illinois National Bank; Mary Morgan of 1 st Farm Credit Services; Scott Rhoads of Carrollton Bank; Gary Mueller of Havana National Bank; and Ben Jackson of the Illinois Bankers Association. Mike Zigliani of Café Moxo in Springfield donated refreshments during the judging.
2016 Cream of the Crop Winners
Ages 8–10
First Place: Camryn Mullen, Minooka
Photo title: Farm Cattle
Second Place: Kailyn Williams, Raleigh
Photo title: Feed Me
Third Place: Elly Jones, West Brooklyn
Photo title: What a View
Ages 11–14
First Place: Thomas Bumann, Woodhull
Photo title: Finches on the Farm
Second Place: Braxton Ragan, McLeansboro
Photo title: 4H Steer
Third Place: William Bumann, Woodhull
Photo title: Super Corn
Ages 15–18
First Place: Kayli Miller, Morrison
Photo title: Evening on the Farm
Second Place: Blake Dooley, Auburn
Photo title: A Quick Glimpse
Third Place: Carson Goff, Hopedale
Photo title: Curious Cattle
Contest rules and entry information for the 2017 Cream of the Crop photo contest will be available in early 2017. Photos between now and then will be eligible for that contest. Fall and winter photos are encouraged.
About the Illinois Treasurer
The Illinois Treasurer is the state’s chief investment officer and Frerichs is a Certified Public Finance Officer. He protects consumers by encouraging savings plans for college or trade school, increasing financial education among all ages, and removing barriers to a secure retirement. As the state’s Chief Investment Officer, he actively manages approximately $25 billion. The portfolio includes $13 billion in state funds, $7 billion in college savings plans and $5 billion on behalf of local and state governments.
The investment approach is cautious to ensure the preservation of capital and returns $28 to the state for every $1 spent in operations. The Treasurer’s Office predates Illinois incorporation in 1818. Voters in 1848 chose to make it an elected office.
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