Agricultural Photo Contest

The 2025 Agricultural Photo Contest will highlight the best of NYS's agricultural community, commodities, and livestock with a different category and winner each month. Our first-place winners each month will have their photo included as part of a 2026 Calendar. Winners will also receive a copy of our Calendar. 

Note: submitted images may be used for social media outreach and Department materials, with credit attributed to the photographer.

January - New Year, Newborns: New York's Barnyard Babies

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. In the spirit of kicking off a new year, we want to see photos of the newest members of New York’s furry (or feathery) team of agriculturalists! Lambs, foals, calves, piglets, chicks, kittens, and more – send us the adorable shots of the adorable baby animals on farms across the state!

February - Indoor Innovations: Farming the Future

Agriculture is an ever-evolving industry, and farmers have been developing innovative tools to cultivate crops and maximize efficiency since the very earliest days of civilization. Today, advancements in technology, automation, and sustainability continue to advance modern growing techniques, adapt to the demands of a changing world while continuing to increase productivity and efficiency.

In February, while the ground here in New York is still too cold to kick off the growing seasons month, we’re highlighting cutting edge indoor growing techniques, from high-tech greenhouses and vertical farms to hydroponic and aeroponic systems. We want to see photos Whether it’s a vibrant greenhouse, an urban indoor farm, or a beginning grower’s first attempt at bringing their porch plants in for the winter, we want to see photos that capture the innovation, sustainability, and productivity of indoor agriculture.

March - Cultivating Curiosity: Ag Education in Action

Every March, we join forces with New York Agriculture in the Classroom to celebrate Ag Literacy week, giving us the opportunity to help jumpstart a curiosity and appreciation for agriculture in our next generation of leaders. New York State is home to one of the longest running and largest Agricultural Literacy Week programs in the country and has also seen significant growth in the number of agricultural teachers over the last decade.

To spotlight the incredible work of our ag educators across the state, our March Photo Contest Category is “Cultivating Curiosity: Ag Education in Action.” The role of an agricultural educator can mean so many things – from introducing young people where their food comes from to getting them excited about the many possibilities for future jobs in agriculture, and more. This month, we want to get a glimpse inside the classroom to see inspiration at work!

April - Growing Green: Sustainable Farming Solutions

Every April, we celebrate Earth Week – a time to show our love and appreciation of our environment and natural resources. Agriculture goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship – farmers have long been foundational players in safeguarding our environment for future generations, which is why this month’s photo contest category is “Growing Green: Sustainable Farming Solutions.” This month, we are showcasing the innovative, climate-smart practices that farmers use to protect the farmland, air, and water that grows the food that nourishes our communities and sustains us.

Whether it’s vibrant cover crops protecting soil health, advanced manure management systems reducing emissions, or energy-efficient farm equipment, we want to see the New York farmers implementing sustainable solutions that are making a difference and helping protect our working farmland for generations to come!