By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Many have tried to write about life on the farm. Now the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) wants Ohio citizens – rural and urban – to depict farming with their cameras.

Last year was the inaugural year for the “Life on the Farm” photo contest and officials in Columbus had no idea what the response would be. The response was overwhelming.

“We didn’t know what to expect to our first-ever contest and we received more than 120 entries,” said ODA Director Robert Boggs. “The pictures we received were so diverse and it shows us that all Ohioans have a unique agricultural story to illustrate.”

According to Boggs, one person’s interpretation of Ohio farm life can vary greatly from one to another. “Life on the farm can mean many things to many different people,” he said. “We’re looking forward to another successful contest this year.”

The purpose of the contest is to feature Ohio’s rich agricultural tradition. Entrants are being asked to show the department their unique definition, which could include livestock, people, landscapes, structures, equipment, commodities or any other creative vision – all with the use of their cameras.

Following the Dec. 31 deadline, an independent judging panel will rank the photo submissions. The winning photographers will be invited to join Boggs and other invited guests for a reception and an unveiling of the top photos.

The top 12 will be placed on display at the Ohio Statehouse; all photos will be used by the department for educational or promotional incentives.

This contest is open to amateur photographers only. Entrants must be at least 16 years old and the original photographer. Photos must be taken in 2009 and entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31.

Participants may submit no more than five photos per household. The photos should be submitted as digital images burned to a CD. They should be at least 300 dots-per-inch (dpi) and in JPG or TIF format.

No computer-aided adjustments to the photos will be permitted. Each photo should be accompanied by an entry form, complete with signature.

Photographers should obtain written parental/guardian permission for photographed children younger than 18. For additional information about the contest, a complete copy of the rules, and entry forms visit www.agri.ohio.gov or call 614-752-9817.

Last year’s top photographers included Abrahm Kaplan (the overall winner, from Licking County), Shari Dobbins (Greene County), Liana Graham (Delaware County), Angie Otte (Mercer County), Jane Stahl (Tuscarawas County), Jean Musselman (Madison County), Amy Bowerstock (Auglaize County) and Kristin Baldridge (Putnam County).

For more information about this contest contact Kaleigh Frazier, public information officer, at 614-728-6211.