CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Grimes Farm and Conservation Center will host it’s 17th annual photo contest from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6. A chili supper will be included in the cost of admission.

The Grimes Farm and Conservation Center’s annual photo contest has been a tradition the last 17 years. And while the culmination of these photographers’ efforts will take shape during the contest ceremony held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, it is a year-long effort.

“This is a year-round way we try to get people to get outside: winter, spring, summer and fall,” said Marshall County Conservation Board Director Mike Stegmann.

Participants were able to submit their photos in the following categories: natural resources/scenery, native plants, native wildlife, trail camera, and an open category.

“All of the photographs had to be taken in Marshall County, except for the open category. Those could be taken anywhere, and we’ve had people take photos from everywhere in the world,” Stegmann added.

Those who entered the contest will receive one free ticket to the ceremony, for each photo entered.

“The limit was entering two photos per category,” he said.

A new rule this year was limiting the size of the photographs eligible for the contest to 11×17 inches, due to space constraints in displaying the pieces. No additional entries will be accepted, as the deadlines has passed.

While the public views the entries, they will be able to enjoy a hot bowl of chili. First place winners will be awarded Chamber Bucks. There will also be one youth winner.

The cost to attend the awards ceremony and meal is $5 for adults ($6 at the door) and $3 for children 12 and under.

The photographs will be displayed inside the center now through the end of March.

Nature lovers can then return to Grimes Farm on Thursday, Feb. 8 (weather pending) to join Naturalist Emily Herring for the Shoes and Soup event, held from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

“If we don’t get enough snow between now and then, I will cancel the event, and refund people’s money,” Herring noted. “I would then reschedule it.”

The plan is to take participants snowshoeing the trails of Grimes Farm, followed by a soup dinner inside the conservation center. Participants must weigh 40 pounds or more and anyone under the age of 18 must come with an adult. Registration fee includes: snowshoes, instruction, and soup supper. Participants must pre-register and pay $12 registration fee before Feb. 3 at 4:00 p.m. to reserve a spot. To register, contact Grimes Farm at: 641-752-5490.

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611 or sjordan@timesrepublican.com