Illinois Photographers Capture the Heart of Farming in 2025 Fields of Corn Contest

Illinois farmers and farm families were well represented in the 2025 Fields of Corn Photo Contest, hosted by the National Corn Growers Association. Three Illinois entries earned national recognition, offering a unique perspective on modern agriculture, from the air and from the heart.

From sweeping aerial views to deeply personal harvest moments, these photos do more than showcase corn—they tell stories of planning, pride, and stewardship that often go unseen.

First Place – “It Takes a Village”

Todd Wachtel – Altamont, Illinois
Category: Bird’s Eye View

Seen from above, Todd Wachtel’s winning photo looks calm and perfectly arranged but he says the real story runs much deeper.

Behind every field are years of coordination and long-term planning. Every waterway, field edge, and structure represents decisions about drainage, soil conservation, logistics, and timing. Todd farms corn and soybeans alongside his dad and uncle, continuing a family operation where stewardship and sustainability remain a priority.

Todd hopes viewers—especially those far removed from agriculture—pause and look closer.

“Most people don’t get to see farms from this perspective, and many are far removed from agriculture altogether,” Wachtel said. “Photos like this help bridge that gap by showing the scale, complexity, and beauty of modern farming. When farmers tell their own story visually, it adds honesty and context—and it reminds people that agriculture isn’t abstract. It’s families, land, and livelihoods working together.”

For Todd, the aerial view isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about showing intention. Not simply land being farmed, but land being cared for with decisions that will matter decades from now.

Second Place – “Top Down Harvest”

Macullum Steen – Naperville, Illinois
Category: Bird’s Eye View

For Mac Steen, the farm has always been a place of memory and connection.

Mac spent countless days on his grandparents’ farm in Shannon, Illinois—riding in tractors, packing lunches for long harvest days, and napping between passes through the field. Today, his grandparents farm full-time with his uncle, raising corn and soybeans.

“Living closer to Chicago, I get a lot of questions from friends who don’t have much experience with farming,” Steen said. “People often wonder why we can’t just water the fields if there isn’t enough rain. And a big surprise for many is the cost of equipment and how much goes into growing a crop. They don’t see all the preparation, the investment, or the details that happen long before harvest ever begins.”

His goal is simple: help others see how unique and impressive farming really is.

Second Place – “American Dream”

Michaela White – Pecatonica, Illinois
Category: Red, White & Blue

Michaela White’s photo captures more than a harvest—it captures a milestone.

Her fiancé, a fourth-generation farmer near DeKalb, harvested his first crop on land he now owns, with an American flag flying from a pole in their front yard. The operation raises corn and soybeans, has added wheat to the rotation, uses no-till practices, and enrolls sensitive acres near waterways into CRP to protect water quality.

While Michaela works off-farm in Chicago in agricultural risk management, she remains deeply connected to farming through family and profession. She hopes her photo conveys the pride farm families feel in their work and why it’s so important for farmers to share their own stories.

“Agriculture touches everyone, but very few people have a direct connection to it or get to see the hard work behind producing food and fuel,” White said. “That’s why it’s so important for farmers and farm families to keep sharing their stories and helping consumers better understand where their food comes from.”