Mom’s picture 2nd in state

A spur-of-the-moment smart phone photo of her son getting excited about a tractor won Amanda Pagenkopf of Lost Springs second place in the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s 2021 rural photo contest.

“My husband’s brother was out planting beans in the field next to our house,” Pagenkopf said. “I had gone over to talk to him and grabbed Augustus and his wagon. He is just crazy about tractors and stuff like that, so while he was smiling, I took a photo.”

She shared the photo with relatives in Iowa who don’t get to see her son often. Her grandmother suggested entering it in a photography contest, and she found the department’s contest shortly after.

Contest winners were decided by likes, comments, and shares on social media. Augustus’ beaming smile spoke for itself.

Winning images will be used in departmental promotional materials and newsletters, and their photographers will receive a $100 gift card.

“It turned out really well,” Pagenkopf said. “I impressed myself.”