Life on the farm is an area Warren Terpstra of Sully is familiar with and appreciates. The hobby photographer has captured countless stunning images of the Iowa countryside after retiring as former co-owner of Sully Community Locker. After several years admiring the work of other photographers, Terpstra entered the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) Capture the Heart of America Photo Contest, thinking he had nothing to lose except the entry fee for five photos submitted.
“I had my eye on the Silos & Smokestacks contest for a couple of years, but never entered anything because I didn't feel mine were even close to the quality of the winners each year,” said Terpstra. “I was very surprised when I was informed one had received an honorable mention and another a first place.”
"In the Clover" took first place.
Terpstra’s entry of “In the Clover” won first place in the Life on the Farm category. The photo was taken this summer when his grandchildren, Chase and Emily Opensky of Morton Grove, IL, were visiting and wanted to “pick flowers” in the field behind his house, owned by Leon and Margaret Vander Weerdt of Sully. “It was the perfect time for grandpa to go get his camera,” said Terpstra.
Terpstra was one of five people awarded first place in various categories that shared America’s agricultural story across the entire United States. Other awards included the overall People's Choice "Most Liked." For the first time in contest history, there was a tie for Best of Show, and the public was asked to help break the tie through online voting. The winner will be announced Dec. 30.
"It is amazing to see the variety of images taken each year and the unique story each one tells. With so many states represented, it truly demonstrates America's connection to agriculture," said Cara Miller, SSNHA President.
Judges of the contest included Karmen Wilder, photographer and owner of Karmen Wilder Design; Kent Shankle, Director, Waterloo Center for the Arts; and Heather Lilienthal, Iowa Soybean Association Director of Producer Services and District 2 Regional Coordinator. The contest was sponsored in-part by Solon Andreas Foundation and Colorfx.
Terpstra's "Wagaman Mill at Sunrise" photo received honorable mention.
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Through a network of northeast Iowa partner sites, programs, and events, SSNHA interprets farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities - past and present.
To see a complete list of winning photos, visit silosandsmokestacks.org.
