Photo Contest Supports Rural Life

OMAHA (DTN) -- In May 2024, 15-year-old Brenden Bryce was celebrating two important milestones on the morning his father, Joe Bryce, took a photo of him surrounded by fields, driving the family tractor to school ahead of the sunrise.

While Brenden was celebrating FFA at Alexandria Area High School in Alexandria, Minnesota, he was also celebrating his 18-month recovery after a traumatic brain injury during a wrestling match in January 2023. On this special morning, Brenden was finally able to climb into the tractor again.

The traumatic brain injury caused Brenden to lose his ability to walk and read. He was wheelchair-bound for six months before he could start using a walker, then a cane, and eventually walk unassisted again. This win was big -- for him and his family.

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The Bryce family urged Joe to submit the photo to a calendar, photo contest, or something similar because it meant so much to them.

In 2024, Lallemand Plant Company, a privately owned global yeast and bacteria manufacturer for various industries, including agriculture, was hosting its annual Hometown Roots Photo Contest. The contest calls for photos that celebrate agriculture and rural life and what that means for each of the participants. The company chooses several winners from the United States and Canada.

"My older brother works for Lallemand locally who heard about the photo contest," Joe said. "So, we looked it up and sent the photo in."

Joe and Brenden won the photo contest for Minnesota in 2024. Each year, the winners of the Hometown Roots Contest have the opportunity to donate $5,000 to a charity of their choice. Without question, Brenden's choice was Farm Rescue, a nonprofit organization that helps farm and ranch families in crisis.

Growing up in agriculture, Farm Rescue was an important staple on the Bryce generational farm. Brenden's grandfather is an active volunteer, while the family raises a small herd of cattle and grows corn and soybeans in West Central Minnesota.

"My dad has volunteered for Farm Rescue for several years, my son has always admired the whole concept, if farmers and ranchers aren't able to help themselves, Farm Rescue volunteers come to help. There wasn't any question in his mind, that's what he wanted to do," Joe said. "Give back to the ag community that helped him show cattle and do ag activities again after his brain injury."

As of today, Brenden still sees traumatic brain injury specialists in Minneapolis for vision therapy.

LALLEMAND CONTEST SUPPORTS RURAL LIFE

Photos like Joe's, which depict rural life and celebrate rural agriculture communities, are what Lallemand Plant Company is looking to spotlight in its annual Hometown Roots Photo Contest.

Until Aug. 15, participants from three Canadian provinces and six U.S. states can showcase what rural agricultural life means to them via photo or video for a chance to win $5,000 donated toward a chosen cause.

Over the last three years, Lallemand has donated more than $100,000 to charities and local organizations on behalf of the contest winners.

"We know how hard it is to renovate or get the funds to bolster community efforts and supporting those efforts is where we take our pride," said Anne Favre, Lallemand's strategic marketing director, in an interview with DTN.

During the last three contests, only photos were accepted to the Hometown Roots contest, but this year, the contest is accepting 30-second videos as well.

"It was a no-brainer to add videos in 2025. We're not looking for art, we're looking for everyday life and what people feel matters to them," Favre explained.

A total of nine prizes of $5,000 are available. They will be payable to a local community organization or charity of the winner's choice. Winners will be chosen from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada, and Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota in the United States.

"We started small with this contest with three ... (provinces and states) in each country. Now, it's still in three ... (provinces) in Canada and six states in the United States. Hopefully, the story will continue, and we'll be able to share more successes," Favre said.

To enter, take a photo or a 30-second video (maximum) that you feel best celebrates agriculture and your rural community. Upload it at https://lallemandhometownroots.com/… for Canadian entries, or https://lallemandhometownroots.com/… for U.S. entries. Include a brief description of how the photo or video represents what makes your community or farm special. You can submit one photo or video per week, for a maximum of 10 entries. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

In the past, recipients have donated to local fire departments, hospitals, local arenas or after-school programs.

Last year, Illinois winner Emily Beaufort selected Urban Growers Collective; Tiffany Lorton, winner in Indiana, chose McCutcheon HS Band Boosters; Iowa winner Daniel Barker chose Ames Community School District; Joe Bryce, Minnesota winner, selected Farm Rescue; Amanda Weyrauch, winner in North Dakota, chose the Grain Palace Foundation; and South Dakota winner James Slunecka selected the Faulkton Area Out of School Program.

"We've seen all kinds of different things, very much rooted in the community," Favre said.

The contest deadline is Aug. 15, 2025.

Susan Payne can be reached at susan.payne@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @jpusan

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