Overview
The Department is officially kicking off the third round of its year-long Agricultural Photo Contest!
How does it work?
Every month, the Department invites photographers of all ages and abilities to submit photos that adhere to a unique category. The categories aim to spotlight a different aspect of New York State’s diverse agricultural industry. You can view all the categories that the Department is offering this year, and the dates that photos for each category are due, on this page.
Once the submission period has concluded, the Department will select five semi-finalists from the submissions. The winner will be selected by a social media vote: semifinalists will be posted to the Department's Facebook and Instagram pages with instructions on how to vote for your favorite photograph.
How do I submit a photo?
Email it to [email protected] with your name and a brief description of the photograph.
What do I win?
Our first-place winners each month will have their photo included as part of a 2027 12-month calendar. Winners will also receive a free copy of our calendar at the end of the year.
How do I stay up-to date?
Category updates and winners will be posted on this page monthly, but the best way to stay informed is by following our social media pages, or by signing up to receive notifications when a new submission period starts!
Submission Rules
Photographs must be original works.
Photographs must be taken in New York State.
Only one submission per person is allowed. If you submit multiple photos, we will only consider one!
Submissions for each category must be received by their respective deadlines, available below.
Model consent forms are required for any person who is a focus of a photo, or if the photo features a partially or wholly visible face or likeness. Assume that model consent is required.
To submit your photography, email the photo, a model consent form if necessary, and a brief description of what the photo shows and where it was taken to [email protected] with the subject line: AGM Photo Contest_Month_Your Name
Note: submitted images may be used for social media outreach and Department materials, with credit attributed to the photographer.
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Model Consent Form
Participating in our Agricultural Photo Contest? Fill out this form if any of the photos you are submitting contains a person who is a focus of a photo, or if the photo features a partially or wholly visible face or likeness.
Download
2026 Categories
January – Snowy Scenes
New Yorkers are no strangers to the cold, and farmers across the state are used to prepping their operations for a long winter’s worth of snow. In January, we are highlighting the quiet, cold months before the ground has thawed and the harvest season can begin. Send us a photo of your farm covered in snow, waiting patiently for Spring to arrive!
Submissions were due February 20, 2026.
February –Helping Hooves
Animals play a vital role in New York’s agricultural industry. From heavyweights like dairy heifers and egg-laying hens that help nourish our communities to the athletes representing our equine industry, wool-producing sheep who fuel fiber production, and everyone in between, animals play an essential role in New York’s agricultural industry. February’s category, Helpful Hooves, aims to spotlight these companions on the farm and partners in agriculture that help moo-ve our industry forward!
Submissions were due February 20, 2026.
March – Female Farmers
During Women’s History Month, the Department is excited to announce March’s photo contest category: “Female Farmers.” According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, women make up more than one-third of all U.S. farm operators and are increasingly leading in farm management, agribusiness, research, and advocacy. Here in New York alone, 38% of our producers are women, and over 14,000 farms in New York are owned and operated by a woman. Help us honor and spotlight the incredible women in your lives who are making a difference in the agriculture industry by submitting a photo of them hard at work in their field!
Submissions were due March 20, 2026.
April – April Showers
You know what they say… April Showers bring May Flowers! Every farmer knows that irrigation plays an essential role in the success of a crop yield and quality. That’s why in April, a traditionally rainy month here in New York, we’re embracing the old adage this month to kick off our fourth photo contest category of the year: “April Showers!”
Whether it’s impressive irrigation systems, scenic shots of your farm during a spring rainfall (or the rainbows afterward!), or closeups of crops after a spring shower, photos for this month’s category can vary. However you interpret it, your photos should celebrate one of our most precious natural resources that is the foundation for our food supply and our industry: water!
Submissions are due April 24, 2026.
May – Tractors, Trailers, Tools, and Tech
Submissions are due May 22, 2026.
June – Delicious Dairy
Submissions are due June 26, 2026.
July – Crop Closeups
Submissions are due July 24, 2026.
August – Youth Ag Showcase
Submissions are due August 28, 2026.
September – Urban Agriculture
Submissions are due September 25, 2026.
October – Craft Beverage Crops
Submissions are due October 23, 2026.
November – Cover Crops
Submissions are due November 20, 2026.
December – Holiday Horticulture
Submissions are due December 18, 2026.
2025 Winners
Not competitive, but love photography?
We're always excited to receive photos from our followers, whether or not they adhere to the photo contest's category of the month! If you have a photo you'd like to share with the Department (and possibly see shared on our social media feed), feel free to send them at any time to [email protected] with a brief description.
Previous Calendars and Categories
A digital copy of the completed 2025 and 2026 Agricultural Calendars are available below to download.
The documents below includes descriptions of the month-by-month categories of the 2024 and 2025 Agricultural Photo Contests.