Waukon resident wins People's Choice Award in Silos & Smokestacks "Capture the Heart Of America" Photo Contest

Austin Brink of Waukon had a photograph he entered in the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) "Capture the Heart of America" Photo Contest win the People's Choice Award. Brink's photo, "The Old Wind Mill" (pictured at right), was awarded that honor after receiving the most "likes" by members of the public voting through the SSNHA Facebook page.
Brink's photo was taken in rural Waukon and was entered in the American Farmscapes category of the photo contest. He was awarded a $50 prize in recognition of the honor.

For the first time in its history, there was a tie for Best of Show in the Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) Capture the Heart of America Photo Contest. Greg Punelli of Des Moines, with the photo "Show Time," and Willard Sharp of Madrid, with the photo "Moon Lit," tied for Best of Show, with Punelli being awarded Best of Show honors following online voting.

Awards were also given to the top photos in each of five other categories. To see a complete list of winning photos visit www.silosandsmokestacks.org. First-place winners in the following categories included:

• America's Agricultural Industry - "The Forge" taken by Joshua Gooddell in Angel Camp, CA;
• American Farmscapes - "Moon Lit" taken by Willard Sharp in Boone;
• Celebrations of Agriculture - "Show Time" taken by Greg Punelli in Des Moines;
• Life on the Farm - "In the Clover" taken by Warren Terpstra in Sully;
• Silos & Smokestacks Partner Sites - "A Walk Through Time" taken by Deb Shoning in Urbandale.

While the Heritage Area covers a 37-county region in northeast Iowa, the contest allows Silos & Smokestacks to share America's agricultural story across the entire United States. "It is amazing to see the variety of images taken each year and the unique story each one tells. With so many states represented, it truly demonstrates America's connection to agriculture," said Cara Miller, SSNHA President.

Judges included Karmen Wilder, photographer and owner of Karmen Wilder Design; Kent Shankle, Director, Waterloo Center for the Arts; and Heather Lilienthal, Iowa Soybean Association Director of Producer Services & District 2 Regional Coordinator. The contest was sponsored in-part by Solon Andreas Foundation and Colorfx.

Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. Through a network of northeast Iowa partner sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities - past and present.