Velvet Bennet Roberts Photography Contest

On Saturday, September 21st, the Union Museum of History and Art in Farmerville hosted an awards recognition for top winners in the 6th Annual Velvet Bennett Roberts Agricultural Photography Contest, conducted in memory of the past President of the Union Youth Livestock Council.
The contest began when donations were sent to the Livestock Council in memory of Velvet after losing her to cancer in 2018. Those donations were used to fund award premiums, as well as a special family choice award sponsored by her immediate family. After the first year, Southern Ag Credit committed to sponsoring premiums for the coming years’ contests.
The contest, a focus on agriculture through photos, was developed to honor Velvet’s love for both agriculture and photography, and the ability to tell an agriculture story through the lens of a camera. This year’s contest was the largest to date with over 80 entries.

Youth winners:
Scenery: 1st – Lexi Harper, 2nd – Christina Stanton, 3rd – Evan Harper
Animals: 1st – Jaikeycia Sadberry, 2nd – Birdie Haymon, 3rd – Lexi Harper
People: 1st – Lexi Harper, 2nd – Trinity Devereux, 3rd – Rebel Alexander
Ag Production/Farming: 1st – Lexi Harper, 2nd – Laney Broussard, 3rd – Guy Edmiston

Adult winners:
Scenery: 1st – Amanda Copes, 2nd – Debra McDill, 3rd – Garrett White
Animals: 1st – Casey Harper, 2nd – Alexia Smith, 3rd – Dana Alexander
People: 1st – Casey Harper, 2nd – Heather Harper, 3rd – Brian Finch
Ag Production/Farming: 1st – Michelle Tucker, 2nd – Amanda Copes, 3rd – Mary Shoemaker

Four special awards were sponsored and selected by members of Velvet’s family:
Dad’s Pick Award: presented by Velvet’s father Van Bennett to Laney Broussard and Lexi Harper; and the Sister’s Pick Award, presented by Velvet’s sister Brittany Canterberry to Lexie Harper and Evan Harper. Velvet’s family members shared with the group how each photo choice was selected through their memories of Velvet’s agricultural roots.

The Union Youth Livestock Council would like to thank Southern Ag Credit for providing sponsorship funding, Council Board members for supporting the contest, and Velvet’s Family for sponsoring and presenting the special family awards. Special appreciation goes to the Union Museum of History and Art for displaying all of the photos entered and providing a location for the awards presentation.