Second Place Ismael (Mel) Resendiz San Diego County Farm Bureau Mel Resendiz can’t possibly choose from among the more than 300 varieties of protea flowers curated over 30 years at Resendiz Brothers farm in Fallbrook. “I keep every one. When people ask me what’s my favorite, I say, ‘All of them,’” Resendiz says. But he will admit he was particularly inspired to capture the first harvest of the Lady Di protea, one of the newest on his 250-acre flower farm in the Pauma Valley. Protea flowers are some of the oldest flowers on Earth and grow on steep hillsides. As one of the workers scaled the hill with fresh Lady Di blooms on his shoulder and the Palomar Mountain in the background, Resendiz had to pull out his iPhone.
Budding Artists
First Place Ashley Jansen, age 12 Colusa County Farm Bureau
Ashley Jansen knows the extensive history of her family farm, first acquired via a land grant 150 years ago. She shares that the land is now primarily used to grow almonds instead of the sugar beets of yesteryear. These almond orchards surround Ashley’s house, bursting with blooms and perfect for a scenic walk with Sydney, Ashley’s dog. While strolling the orchards with Sydney, Ashley stopped to focus on the delicate white blooms when a helpful pollinating bee entered her shot. While a gifted photographer, Ashley gives credit to Sydney who “led me to the perfect photo opportunity!”
Powered by FlippingBook