January 2015: As part of the International Year of Soils (IYS) 2015, the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD) held a photo contest for a 2015 calendar based on the theme ‘Soils through Youth’s Eyes.’ The aim of the contest was to engage youth and have them illustrate the importance of this issue, from their own perspective.

The 12 contest winners were chosen from among many photo entries submitted illustrating different landscapes around the world. The winning photos depict, inter alia: an integrated farming system that includes grain crops, vegetables and trees in Punjab, India; different crops planted in the same condition and soil at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, India; the use of vermiculture in enhancing and creating fertile soils; traditional Chinese rice cultivation; children in secondary-level school in Nepal learning agricultural practices; a fistful of soil and earthworms in a child’s hand in Réunion Island; green peppers and bed planting in northern Ethiopia; and corn seedlings on a Missouri farm in the US. [FAO Press Release] [Photo Contest Winners] [2015 Calendar] [IISD RS Story Announcing Photo Contest]