Renovations to the Agriculture Museum in the Texas State Capitol include updating the displays with new props and photographs depicting agriculture in Texas. The State Preservation Board is presenting an annual photography contest for members of The Texas FFA and 4-H programs to showcase Texas agriculture. 

A select number of photographs will be displayed in the Texas State Capitol Agriculture Museum starting in January 2013 before the opening of the Legislative Session. Photos will remain on display for one year in the Agriculture Museum.

How do you apply?

Criteria and rules for the Agriculture Photography Contest can be found below and on the Texas FFA website. 

For questions about the contest please contact:

Dr. Toby Lepley, Associate Professor, 

Extension 4-H and Youth Development Specialist

Texas AgriLife Extension Service 

Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program

4180 State Hwy 6 South

College Station, TX 77845

Phone: 979-845-1212

Email: t-lepley@tamu.edu

Mr. Kyle Schlafer, Program Supervisor

Texas Capitol Visitors Center

112 E. 11th Street

Austin, TX 78701

Phone: 512-305-8413

Email: Kyle.Schlafer@tspb.state.tx.us

Ms. Cory Talley

County Extension Agent - 4-H and Youth

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Travis County

1600-B Smith Rd.

Austin, TX, TX 78721

Phone: 512-854-9600

Email: cmtallley@ag.tamu.edu

Contest categories and descriptions, as well as photograph evaluation information, can be found in the pdf document. 

1. Participation: Any enrolled and active member of the Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program or Texas FFA Association may enter the contests. Youth can only enter either in 4-H OR FFA, and not enter through both organizations.

2. Eligibility of Photos: All photographs must have been taken by the 4-H or FFA members within the last eighteen months prior to the contest deadline. Photos may be submitted only one time and in only one category to the photography contest.

3. Location of Photos: All photographs must have been taken within the state of Texas. Those entering the photograph(s) may be asked to provide location of where photograph was taken to ensure an in-state photo.

4. Number of Entries: A member may enter a maximum of two (2) photographs in the contest. Only one (1) entry in each category is allowed.

5. Entry Fee: There are no entry fees for participating in the contest.

6. Entry Deadline: Between the dates of September 1, 2012 and by midnight on October 15, 2012 all entries must be submitted via on-line through the website hosted by the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program.

7. Copyright and Content: Photos that are deemed obscene, vulgar, sexually-oriented, hateful, threatening, or otherwise violate any laws are strictly prohibited. The Texas State Preservation Board, Texas 4-H and Youth Development, and Texas FFA respect the rights related to copyright laws and intellectual property. All photos should be based on a 4-H/FFA member’s original photograph taken by the member. Use of a photo from other sources/people is not allowed and will lead to disqualification of the photo and possibility all entries by the member. The Texas State Preservation Board reserves the right to refuse inappropriate or unsuitable entries.

8. Model and Property Releases: Any 4-H or FFA member submitting a photograph acknowledges that they have sufficient permission of any recognizable locations or people appearing in their photograph(s). This permission is hereby granted to both the photographer and the Texas State Preservation Board to publish and use as needed. Documentation should be retained by the 4-H or FFA member and will be requested by the Texas State Preservation Board if needed.

9. Disqualification of an Entry: An entry that does not follow the rules or category guidelines will automatically be disqualified. 

10. Release of Liability: The Texas State Preservation Board and/or its employees involved in the contest will not be held liable for missing, mislabeled, or non-displayed photographs. By entry the 4-H or FFA member accepts this release.

11. Announcement of Results: Results will be posted after December 15, 2012 on the Texas State Preservation Board website.

12. Display and Future Rights Use Rights: By submitting an entry to the contest, the 4-H or FFA member grants to the Texas State Preservation Board, 4-H and FFA a nonexclusive , royalty free, world-wide license, in perpetuity, to display, reproduce, distribute, publish, and create derivative works of the entry in any media now known or hereafter devised, including in promotional publications or marketing. By entry the 4-H or FFA member accepts these conditions of display and future use. 

13. Judges: Judges will determine the winners. Their decision on all entries is final.

1. Photography Size: All photographs entered must be able to be printed at an 8 inch X 10 inch in size at a 300 dots per inch (dpi). This is to ensure that photos can be printed at a size and quality that are presentable in the Agriculture Museum.

2. Format: All photographs must be in a jpg format.

3. File Size: Photograph should not be any bigger than 1.5 MD in size. Photos larger than that will not be uploaded to file size restrictions.

4. Color vs Black & White: Photos can be entered in either color or black & white. Extreme use of editing and effects should be a minimum. These photos are intended for the purpose of promoting and highlighting Texas agriculture and should be taken and edited with that concept in mind.

5. Labeling/Naming your Photograph: Each photograph will need to be clearly labeled with the category, city, last name, and first name. File name should include an “_” between each of the items, category_city_last_first.jpg. Example: John Smith from Dallas entering the Crops category would upload a file labeled: “Crops_Dallas_Smith_John.jpg” 

6. Submission of Photographs: All photographs will be submitted in electronic format using the site hosted by the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program. A direct link to the submission site will be posted on the Texas 4-H and Youth Development website at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu from September 1, 2012 to October 15, 2012. Any entries received before or after that period will not be considered for the competition.