CVA announces 2026 photo contest winners

Central Valley Ag (CVA) cooperative is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Photo Contest. Winners have been selected in each of the following categories: Ag in Detail, Life Without Color, The Land We Love, The People and the People’s Choice Award.  

“One of the best parts of the CVA Photo Contest is seeing agriculture through the eyes of our members, customers, employees, and communities,” said Owen Baker, Senior Vice President of Marketing at CVA. “This year’s submissions have been exceptional, and we’re excited to celebrate the talent and stories behind each photo.”

The 2026 People’s Choice Award is awarded to Axie Shrack of Abilene, KS. Facebook users voted on this award by giving Shrack’s photo the most likes, comments and shares during the contest. The photo that was submitted highlights the blue, pink, and orange colors in the sky as a farmer harvests the crops in the field.

A panel of judges has selected the winners for the other four categories.

Elizabeth Buescher of Omaha, NE submitted the winning Ag in Detail photo, Buescher’s photo captures the detail of new crop growing among the remains of the old. The Life Without Color category was won by Sawyer Ptacek of Russell, KS. Ptacek’s capture the life of two young cowboys living as kings atop their horses. April Erb of Bennington, KS won The Land We Love category with a photo featuring a beautiful sunrise behind a herd of cattle. Lastly, Julie Lacy of Bayard, NE captured the winning photo for The People category, Lacy’s photo showcased a group of cowboys taking a breather before getting back to work.  

Winners of each category will be awarded a $100 gift card, and the winning photos will be featured in CVA’s print and online publications.

CVA would like to congratulate the winners of this year’s photo contest!