Stewards of the Land

2012 Winners Grand Prize Kids & Critters on the Farm California's Bounty All in a Day's Work on the Farm Rural Scenic Budding Artists Past Winners 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

First Prize

Janine Goubert - Stanislaus County

Inspired by Dean Houk, who has kept the 400-acre, Stanislaus County family farm together for more than 100 years, Janine Goubert snapped this photo of her landlord as he ran his backhoe near the river. Houk, who raises lima beans, hay, replacement heifers and corn, was very concerned about soil erosion and planted bamboo along the river’s edge to provide a natural break.

Second Prize

Chuck Lowery - Butte County

Chuck Lowery sees a lot of interesting things during his workday, so he’s learned to carry his camera with him always. As he drove through the Butte County rice fields, he came upon three barn owls that had taken up residence in a wood-duck box. He gave a whistle and the owl peeked out long enough for Chuck to take this picture. Rice fields provide winter habitat for a wide variety of birds. The door is always open for barn owls at these nesting boxes because the owls eat mice, rats and gophers.

Third Prize

Agena Ruskovich - San Luis Obispo County

Obviously, Jon Ruskovich and Buster have a special bond. John and Agena Ruskovich have lovingly cared for Buster, a breeding bull, since he was born seven years ago on their Carrizo Valley ranch. During the summer, the cattle are taken to higher elevation pastures where they can graze freely. Although there are nearly 10,000 acres of wide-open space on which to roam, Buster was waiting for John near the road and walked right into the truck.