PARIS —  The winner of the third annual Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District Photo Contest is Jade Gianforte of Rumford with her photo titled, “The Meandering Androscoggin, Rumford Point, Maine.”

Gianforte grew up in central New York where she developed a love for farming. After college, she became assistant farm manager at Meadowood Farms in Cazenovia, N.Y. She moved to Maine where she continues to show beef cattle, raising registered Black Angus and Simmentals.

Gianforte began working for USDA-NRCS as a part-time soil conservation technician in Oxford County in 2008. She became a full time soil conservationist in Oxford County and was later transferred to Franklin County where she continues to serve as a soil conservationist.

About the photo, Gianforte said, “The photo was taken from what we call ‘the Lookout,’ which is across the river from my house. You have to hike up there. It looks down on Rumford Point and the Rumford Point bridge. The hay field you can see on the point is harvested by Sunday River Farms and is part of a rotation with oats, corn and potatoes. The view is looking upstream towards Bethel.”

Gianforte received a prize package which includes a gift card from Paris Farmers Union in South Paris, a gift package from Aubuchon Hardware in Norway, a gift certificate for any combination of butter, eggs, meat, milk, grain, pet food, hay or compost at Rosebeck Farm in South Paris, and a quart of maple syrup from Colebrook Farm in South Paris.

Three other photos were chosen for honorable mention.

The first photo was “Winter at Robert’s Farm” by Brenda Melhus of Norway. Melhus said, “I enjoy cross country skiing and snowshoeing at Roberts Farm Preserve. When I go there, I always take my camera. It is such a beautiful area and the opportunity often arises to catch nature at its best. This photo is one of those moments.”

The other two photos chosen for honorable mention, “Hazy Morning” and “Eagles Keep Watchful Eye Over Pond,” were both taken by Kathy Hussey of Peru. Hussey says she is an “avid picture taker; not professional by any means” and was encouraged to enter the winning photos by her husband, Bill.

Kathy has been active with the Worthley Pond Association since owning property on the pond.

The winning photographers will be recognized for their work at the Annual Meeting on April 20.

OCSWCD would like to remind everyone that the contest is a yearly event, so keep your eye out for photo opportunities. Contact OCSWCD by calling 743-5789, ext. 101/111, or emailing jean.federico@me.nacdnet.net. Check out the 2013 Calendar of Workshops, Events and Sales at www.oxfordswcd.net.

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