Capturing Indiana agriculture: Photo contest winners announced

INDIANAPOLIS — Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the 2026 Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest at the Indiana State Fair.

“Every year this contest reminds us just how much heart goes into life on an Indiana farm, and our entries this year were no exception,” said Don Lamb, director of the ISDA.

“The story of Indiana agriculture is that it’s not just what feeds us — it’s a way of life that our farm families pour themselves into every single day.”

The winning photos were chosen from hundreds of entries in four categories: Agritourism, Conservation, Faces of Agriculture and On the Farm. Two winners were selected from each category, along with two winners overall.

To be considered, the photo had to be taken in the state by an Indiana resident. The photos were evaluated by a panel of independent judges based on creativity, composition and category representation.

This years winners were:

Agritourism

• “First Snowfall of the Season” by Laurie Jacobson, South Bend.

• “Late Autumn at the Sugar House” by Jacobson.

Conservation

• “Enter Stage Right” by Forrest Willey, Seymour.

• “The Iridescent Aviator” by Sara Day, Muncie.

Faces of Agriculture

• “A Farmer’s Best Friend” by Linsie Middlesworth, Marion.

• “Rolling into FFA Week” by Middlesworth.

On the Farm

• “Round Barn Aurora” by Tom Jones, Star City.

• “Connie the Cow” by Sarah McClanahan, South Whitley.

Overall

• “Preparing a Field” by Brea Persing, South Bend.

• “Bartholomew Co. Barn in Fall” by Craig Dearing, Columbus.

To view the winning photos, visit tinyurl.com/2026-Photo-Contest-Winners.

The winning photographs will be displayed in the lieutenant governor’s family of business offices in Indianapolis for the next year.