June 14, 2022 – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs reminds young Illinois photographers, ages 8 to 18, to submit their best work for the 2022 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest by the deadline of June 22. As part of the contest’s 10th anniversary celebration, Bright Start scholarship funds will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winners in each of the three age categories, the treasurer announced.
The contest offers students an opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state.
“Our 2022 Cream of the Crop Photo Contest provides a great way for students to showcase their creativity and to help others appreciate the strength, diversity and beauty of Illinois’ rich agricultural landscape,” Frerichs said. “We encourage all eligible students to pursue this opportunity to win Bright Start scholarship funds and to share their photos with the public.”
Contest photos should be submitted electronically to the treasurer’s office at www.CreamoftheCropContest.com. Each young photographer may submit up to two entries by June 22. Winning photographs will be chosen in three age-based categories: ages 8‑10, 11‑14 and 15-18.
This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. To help celebrate, Bright Start scholarship funds will be awarded to the top winners in each of the three age categories. The first-place winners will receive $1,000, second-place winners will receive $500, and third-place winners will receive $250.
In addition to receiving scholarship funds, this year’s top Cream of the Crop winners will have their winning photographs featured in Ag Invest marketing material, including the annual Ag Invest calendar. Those photos also will be displayed at the Illinois State Fair and in the Illinois State Capitol.
The Cream of the Crop Photo Contest is part of the Ag Invest program in the treasurer’s office. Ag Invest is one of the nation’s largest agricultural linked deposit programs, and it helps hundreds of Illinois farmers and agriculture professionals. Through Ag Invest, the treasurer’s office partners with eligible financial institutions to offer farmers and ag businesses annual and long-term low-interest loans that can be used for operating costs, equipment purchases, construction-related expenses, and livestock purchases.
To read the rules, terms, and legal conditions associated with this contest, visit their website at www.CreamoftheCropContest.com
