Contest seeking Ontario candidates for 2014 Faces of Farming calendar
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
The 2014 Faces of Farming calendar contest is accepting applications from farmers and farm families. While the calendar is in its ninth year, this is only the second-year that the calendar participants will be chosen through a contest, rather than a nomination process. Since 2005, when the calendar was established, it has featured the faces and stories of 125 farmers and farm families.
Every year, the calendar is distributed to thousands of Ontario media, grocery retail outlets, and politicians – in addition to being solid through Farm & Food Care. The calendar project aims to breakdown the stereotypes of who farmers are and what they look like. In addition to breaking down the stereotypes of the farmer, the calendar also seeks to introduce consumers to farmers through illustrated pictures and stories.
Last year, the contest attracted 31 entries from across the province - something that the creators of the project say is impressive. “We were so impressed with both the quality and quantity of the entries we received. Without exception, each entry showed a strong passion for this industry and for the calendar project,” said Kelly Daynard, Communications Manager for Farm & Food Care.
The entries will be chosen by a panel of urban-based reporters. There will be 12 farmers or farm families selected, which will represent each month of the year. Among the group, an overall winner will be chosen – last year the winning entry was submitted by hog farmers Bob McMillan and Julie Moore from Perth County.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
•Names and ages of all family members;
•Address (county, region);
•A description of the farming operation (i.e. types of crops grown/ or livestock raised);
•History of the farm (i.e. number of generations farming etc.);
•Other (i.e. community involvement, hobbies etc.);
•Why they’d be good candidates for the calendar
The winning family will participate in a photo shoot in July, receive complimentary copies of the calendar and get two tickets with accommodation to attend the 2013 Ontario Harvest Gala. The gala is also the calendar launch which is scheduled to take place for October 24, 2013 in Guelph.
For more information about the contest can be found on the Food & Farm Care website: http://www.farmfoodcare.org/.