By Maggie Edwards 

A picture is worth a thousand words, but to the participants of the Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest, a picture represents their livelihood. From peach orchids to cattle and poultry houses to cotton, the biannual photo contest, whose winning entries hailed from St. Clair and Bibb counties, helps tell the story of Alabama agriculture.

“Alabama agriculture is a beautiful treasure, and we love giving others the opportunity to capture the beauty of the industry that feeds, fuels and clothes this world,” said Marlee Moore, the Alabama Farmers Federation’s publications director. “We are grateful for the participation and hope it encourages people to continue to capture farm life. This helps tell the story of Alabama farmers.” 

This year, the contest, sponsored by the Federation, was divided into two categories – youth division for photographers 15 years of age and younger, and the adult division, which included 16-years-old entrants and up. 

First-place winners received $150; second place received $100; and third place $50. Almost 200 photos were judged by a panel of professionals – resulting in winners from counties across the state. 

Youth: 

1st place: My Brother And Pawpaw by Silas Brown, St. Clair County 

• This is a picture of a little boy feeding and watering cows with his pawpaw. 

2nd place: Perfect Cotton Boll by Anne Elizabeth Pitts, Hale County 

• This picture captures the stages of the cotton boll prior to it being picked. 

3rd place: Pink by Ellie Blankenship, Shelby County 

• A picture of a sweet cow with a pink nose looking through a fence. 

Adult: 

1st place: Peach Delight by Beverly Jones, Bibb County 

• This captures Jeremiah Jones excitedly showing his sister, Jessa Jones, a tiny peach in the family orchard. 

2nd place: Leading The Future by Tanner Strickland, Barbour County 

• “Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever and ever, praising your greatness from generation to generation.” – Psalm 79:13

3rd place: Summer Pastures by Gracie Tribble, Lauderdale County 

• Two of Alabama’s biggest agriculture commodities are cattle and poultry. This photo embodies both perfectly. This family runs a commercial cow/calf operation along with four broiler houses; during the summer they keep bulls in the pastures that surround the poultry houses.

Winning photos will be featured in the March 2023 issue of Neighbors magazine.