Jerry Feng of Springfield took home top honors in the 2025 Cream of the Crop Photo contest, which encourages young photographers to share their vision of agriculture in our state.

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs hosted a reception Aug. 8 in the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s tent at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to honor the first-place winners. Feng was recognized in the 8-10 age category, along with John G. of Stillman Valley in the 11-14 age category and Ryan L. of Villa Grove, in 15-18 age category.

The top photographers in each of the three age categories were awarded Bright Start 529 college savings scholarships.

The Cream of the Crop photo contest is part of the Treasurer’s Ag Invest program, which is one of the nation’s largest agricultural linked deposit programs. Throu

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