RICHMOND—Each fall, hay bales become the ideal canvas for crafting scenes that share stories about agriculture.

Spotlighting farming and community spirit, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Committee is welcoming entries for its 10th annual Hay Bale Decorating Contest. The creative competition encourages participants to embrace their imaginations and celebrate agriculture and farm life through decorative hay bale displays.

“It’s a wonderful activity to bring people together,” said Michelle Martin, an Augusta County farmer and District 5 representative on the VFBF Women’s Leadership Committee. “People of all ages really enjoy participating, and it helps communities promote and support agriculture in a fun way—that’s a great thing!”

Entries will be accepted Sept. 1 through Nov. 15. The contest is open to anyone, including farmers markets, businesses, student groups, community associations, individuals and county Farm Bureaus.

Decorators can use their artistic ingenuity to transform round or square bales into imaginative displays featuring animals, structures, shapes and farmscapes. Props like corn stalks, farm tools, gourds and other agricultural items can be used alongside the hay bales to enhance the scene’s story.

Winners will be selected and receive a cash award in the following categories: junior (8 and younger); square bale display; community spirit; and most creative. This year also will have a special themed category, “Stars of Agriculture,” in which participants are invited to decorate hay bales like celebrities or agricultural figures—real or fictional.

Meant to create an impression and spark conversations, the displays are typically located in visible areas near schools, outside of businesses, at county Farm Bureau offices and in yards.

“Everyone is always so creative, and I really look forward to seeing this year’s entries,” Martin added.

An entry form is available at bit.ly/3Wz9DrU. Participants must include a photograph of the hay bale display with each application.

Winners will be notified by email or phone. Photos of contest entries will be displayed at the 2024 VFBF Annual Convention in Hot Springs in early December.

Last year’s contest drew a record 59 entries, with displays encompassing agricultural commodities, farm animals, horticulture, farm life, farm machinery and farm safety. Winning entries included a “Got Milk?” cookie and milk display; a bovine family on a cattle farm; a Barbie-inspired farm scene titled “Come on Barbie, Let’s Go Farming”; an FFA display featuring an owl mascot; and a canine-themed display representing a local 4-H dog club.

Media: Contact Christy Murphy, VFBF Women’s Leadership coordinator, at 804-290-1031.