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Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest Winners Announced!

2005 Agriculture Calendar Published

The winning photos from this year's Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest have been selected and published in the 2005 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar. The calendar, published by Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) features a winning photograph each month, plus several honorable mention winners in selected locations throughout the calendar. The winning photos portray local farms and products throughout the seasons.

The winners received their winners certificates in a ceremony on Thursday, September 23 - Massachusetts Day - at The Big E, West Springfield. Commissioner of Agricultural Resources Douglas P. Gillespie presented the awards on the front lawn of the Massachusetts Building on the fairgrounds.

The Photo Contest winners are:

• January 2005 - Nancy King, Northfield
• February 2005 - Elaine Wickstrom, Berlin
• March 2005 - Janice Wentworth, N. Brookfield
• April 2005 - Aleda Freeman, Malden
• May 2005 - Rick Connole, East Falmouth
• June 2005 - Donna Lengieza, Chicopee
• July 2005 - Julianne Snow Gauron, Lincoln
• August 2005 - Jack Grundstrom, Rowley
• September 2005 - Emily Turteltaub, Ipswich
• October 2005 - Steve Vicario, Oakham
• November 2005 - Lynn Hartman, Barre
• December 2005 - Teresa Volante, Needham

Due to the number of excellent entries, Honorable mentions were selected to be inserted throughout the calendar. Those include:

• February - Pink Rose, by Michael Vinyard, Southbridge in February.
• April - Pig and babies at Franklin County Fair, by Mary Lou Heiss, Greenfield.
• July - Peppers at Greenfield Farmers’ Mkt, by Mary Lou Heiss, Greenfield.
• August - Peaches at Berlin Orchards, by Fran Imhoff, Berlin.
• September - Sunflowers by Emily Turteltaub, Ipswich.
• October - Pumpkins at Marini Farms, Ipswich, by Nel Sogoloff, Ipswich.
• November  - Gourds At Willard Farm in Harvard, by Donald Bellunduno, Hudson.

The 2005 Ag calendar also includes Massachusetts agriculture facts, conservation facts, agriculture and horticulture related events and websites, and a chart showing when local crops are in season.

"This calendar will educate consumers about the rich diversity of agriculture in the Bay State," said Commissioner Gillespie, noting that the calendar also features facts about Massachusetts agriculture, agricultural events, and websites offering more information. "I'm sure folks will enjoy viewing these attractive pictures throughout the year while learning about farming in Commonwealth."

“The Massachusetts Agriculture calendar also offers people an opportunity to learn about conserving natural resources on a farm and in their own backyard,” said Cecil B. Currin, Massachusetts State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “I’m happy that NRCS was able to partner with the state ag department and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom on this educational project.”

Each winner received a winners certificate, tickets to the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E), and two complimentary calendars.

Calendars may be purchased for $10 each; the wholesale cost is $5 each for orders over five copies. Proceeds will benefit Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, a non-profit organization that works with teachers throughout the state in developing classroom materials. Send a check payable to Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom with your name and address to: Calendar, Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, c/o Debi Hogan, PO Box 345, Seekonk, MA 02771. For an order forms, click here.