ACTION ON THE FARM: 19th annual Farmers Forum photo contest

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Cassi Brunsveld, Cambridge, Ont.

Farmers Forum staff

CAMBRIDGE — Cassi Brunsveld loves to take photos on her Cambridge-area family farm and of her three-year-old son Conrad who would rather be doing chores than playing in the sandbox.

Her photo of then two-year-old Conrad scooping up TMR feed for the heifers last fall was the prize winning photo in this year’s contest. It was the first time that a black and white photo was chosen as a winner in the contest’s 19-year history.

Brunsveld used her iphone to take the photo and said that there is something about black and white that can make a photo special. It was a peaceful morning, the equipment was turned off and black and white captured the quiet, she said. “It was the right time, right lighting. Colour is bolder and brighter.”

Brunsveld said that Conrad “is in his element. He loves farming.” He scoops up the TMR feed daily after the skid steer makes its rounds and also helps out in the swing parlour. “He tells the girls to keep moving,” she said.

The third-generation farmer milks 170 cows. Conrad farms with his father Dirk and grandfather John. This year’s theme was ‘action on the farm’ and Brunsveld earned $200 for her winning photo.

There were 128 entries in this year’s photo contest. Next year’s photo contest theme is: Happiness is farming.