The Real Dirt on Farming Photo Contest

The Real Dirt on Farming Photo Contest – Winners Announced!

The Real Dirt on Farming Photo Contest is now closed, and we’re excited to officially announce that our 2026 winners have been selected!

Thank you to everyone who submitted their incredible photos. From coast to coast, your entries captured the beauty, diversity, and reality of Canadian agriculture in a truly meaningful way. We were inspired by the creativity, passion, and storytelling behind each submission.

Congratulations to Our Winners!

After careful review, winners have been chosen across all six contest categories. These standout images represent the very best of Canadian farming—from breathtaking landscapes to everyday moments on the farm.

Read the press release here.


What Happens Next?

Selected winning photos—and additional standout entries—may be featured in the upcoming seventh edition of The Real Dirt on Farming. This widely recognized publication helps answer common questions about food and farming practices in Canada and connects consumers with the realities of modern agriculture.

To learn more or explore the latest edition, visit:
www.RealDirtonFarming.org


Contest Categories

Our 2026 contest highlighted six unique categories that showcase different aspects of Canadian agriculture:

  • All About Animals – Farm animals in barns or pastures, candid or hard at work
  • Canadian Farm Scenes – The beauty of rural Canada, from sweeping fields to quiet farmyards
  • Crazy About Crops – Crops at every stage, from planting through harvest
  • Day in the Life – Behind-the-scenes moments that capture life on the farm
  • Canadian Food – Fresh, Canadian-grown food from farm to fork
  • Equipment & Technology – The tools and innovations driving modern agriculture

Prizes

Cash prizes were awarded in each category:

  • 1st Place: $400
  • 2nd Place: $200
  • 3rd Place: $100

In addition, $50 usage awards may be given to selected images featured in The Real Dirt on Farming or other Farm & Food Care materials—even if they were not among the top prize winners.


Thank You for Participating

We’re grateful to everyone who took part in this year’s contest and helped tell the story of Canadian agriculture through photography. Your contributions play an important role in connecting Canadians to the people, practices, and passion behind our food.

Stay tuned for future contests and opportunities to get involved!

2026 Winning Submissions

All About Animals

First Place

Lea Suter

Second Place

Cassi Brunsveld

Third Place

Esther Kelly

Canadian Farm Scenes

First Place

Samantha Kennedy

Second Place

Sharon Grose

Third Place

Alex Chesney

Crazy about Crops

First Place

Samantha Kennedy

Second Place

Telfer Wegg

Third Place

Lauren Hoonaard

Day in the Life

First Place

Esther Kelly

Second Place

Cassi Brunsveld

Third Place

Melinda Baarda

Canadian Food

First Place

Donna Rogers

Second Place

Samantha Kennedy

Third Place

Dianna Hetmanczuk

Equipment & Technology

First Place

Samantha Kennedy

Second Place

Cassi Brunsveld

Third Place

Matt Underwood