County-Wide Photo Contest Opens

 Photographers of all ages are invited to submit entries for the annual Ellis County Master Gardener Association photo contest. The event is open to beginner, amateur, and professional photographers.

Submissions are accepted from June 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010 at the association's website, http://www.ECMGA.com. Click the "Photo Contest" page for rules and application blank. A maximum of five photos from one individual will be accepted.

Winners of the 2009 contest will be announced in March, 2010 at the Master Gardener Expo in Waxahachie, in the association's monthly newsletter "HoeHums," monthly E-Newsletter, and on the association's website. Winners' names also will be published in local newspapers.  

For the first time, entries in the contest will be made without a submission fee. This should give more photographers the opportunity to participate. All entries will be submitted via the website. Photographers not using digital cameras can have photos developed and saved on CDs. This will allow them to upload their photos to the entry area. Photos may be cropped, but not otherwise altered (PhotoShop and other photo modification programs may not be used). Photos should NOT include people.

The two categories are 'Single Specimen" (for example, one tulip or a field of bluebonnets) and "In the Garden" (full backyards, water gardens, containers, etc.). The previous contest had a third category, "Garden Bounty." This category will not be used for the 2009 contest.

Prizes will be awarded in each of the two categories and will consist of gift certificates from local landscaping companies including (in alpha order):  Earthtones Greenery in Midlothian, The Greenery in Waxahachie, Roland's Nursery in Waxahachie, and TexScapes Greenery in Ennis.  First place in each category will receive a $100 gift certificate. Second and third place prizes are $60 and $40, respectively.  

For information not available on the website, please call the Ellis County Master Gardener Association at 972-825-5175.