Treasurer Michael Frerichs Opens 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest for Young Illinois Residents

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is calling on young Illinois photographers to submit their agriculture-related photos for the 2026 Cream of the Crop Photography Contest. Winners in three different age categories will be awarded Bright Start college savings account scholarships ranging from $250 to $1,000.

The contest entry deadline is June 12, 2026. The competition, now in its 14th year, provides students ages 8 to 18 with a creative opportunity to share their vision of agriculture in our state.

“I enjoy hosting this contest each year because it inspires students to go out and explore the beauty of Illinois agriculture while also displaying their creative talents,” Frerichs said. “Illinois is home to skilled and dedicated farmers, millions of acres of fertile farmland, and a diverse range of products, all of which make us a leader in the agricultural industry.”

The Treasurer’s Office is now accepting electronic submissions for the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest at this link. Each participating student may submit up to two photos by June 12, 2026.

A panel of outside judges will choose the top photographs in three age-based categories: ages 8-10, 11-14 and 15-18. Bright Start scholarships of $1,000, $500 and $250 will be awarded to students who place first, second or third in each of the three categories.

To read the rules, terms, and legal conditions associated with this contest, go to this link at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office website.

Now in its 14th year, the photo contest offers Illinois students an opportunity to showcase their most innovative or scenic pictures that depict their vision of agriculture in our state. Nearly 900 students have participated in the contest since it debuted in 2013, and they have submitted almost 1,600 photos.

The Cream of the Crop Photo Contest is part of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Ag Invest program. Winning photos will be featured in Ag Invest marketing material and next year’s Cream of the Crop calendar, as well as at the 2026 Illinois State Fair.

Ag Invest is one of the nation’s largest agricultural linked deposit programs, celebrating 43 years in 2026. It helps hundreds of Illinois farmers and agriculture professionals. The Treasurer’s Office, through Ag Invest, partners with eligible financial institutions to offer farmers and ag businesses operating lines of credit and long-term, low-interest loans which can be used for operating costs, equipment purchases, construction-related expenses and livestock purchases.

About the Treasurer

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office is a powerful economic engine that invests in people to drive prosperity, development and growth throughout the state. As State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs (FRAIR’iks) is the state’s Chief Investment and Banking Officer and actively manages approximately $60 billion. The investments help families pay for college and trade school; workers save for a dignified retirement; and local governments process bill payments more efficiently so they can pass along the savings to taxpayers. The office provides financial institutions with money to loan to farmers, small business owners, and qualified individuals at below-market rates because better jobs create stronger communities. The office operates the state’s largest consumer-protection initiative, the missing money ICash program, which has returned a record-breaking $2.4 billion since Frerichs was elected.

For more news about the State Treasurer’s Office, please sign up for our newsletter and follow Treasurer Frerichs on Instagram at IL Treasurer, Threads @iltreasurer, LinkedIn and on Facebook at Invested in You – Treasurer Michael Frerichs.

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