South Dakota Farm Bureau (SDFB) is now accepting entries for its second annual “Telling Your Ag Story” photo contest, sponsored by the SDFB Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee. Photographers in three age categories can compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to be featured in the Tri-State Livestock News “Ag Pride” edition.

The three age categories for the photographers are: Youth (under age 18), YF&R Age (18 to 35), and Member Age (over 35). The contest is open to any South Dakota resident; you do not need to be a Farm Bureau member to enter. Up to three entries are allowed per person. The deadline for submitting photo entries is 12:00 p.m., Central Time, on April 1.

One unique aspect of this contest is the public’s chance to vote for their favorites online. Photos will be uploaded to the SDFB Young Farmers & Ranchers page on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sodakyfr, where voting will begin on April 2 and end at 12:00 p.m. Central Time on April 15. The top 10 finalists in each age category will be determined by the number of “likes” on each photo. From there, a panel of three judges will select a winner in each age category plus an overall grand-champion photo. Winners are awarded $75 in prize money, with the Grand Champion winner receiving $175.

To enter, send your photo(s) as high-resolution .jpg files to sdfbfyfr@gmail.com. Name each image and provide a brief corresponding photo caption that explains your agriculture story being told by the image. Include your name, age, phone number, and address in your submission. Full contest details may be found on the YF&R Facebook page, or questions may be directed to contest hosts Bekah Ihnen or Heather Maude at the Gmail email address noted above.

Last year’s contest winners were Marissa Hofer of Dolton, S.D. and Becky Schlotterbeck of Watertown, S.D. Meghan Shearer of Wall, S.D., was the overall winner with this beautiful image titled “My Cowboy.”