In 1992, Successful Farming magazine ran the first Farm Beautiful contest to discover the most picturesque farms in the nation. We’re bringing back this contest with a prize that is anything but a throwback.

Three winners will be selected from contest entries to receive Exmark Lazer mowers. These heavy-duty machines are designed for power, performance, and operator comfort. Farm Beautiful prize winners will receive a Model LZX801KA606 Lazer mower worth about $12,000 each!

Do you think your farm is worthy? Here’s what it takes to be a Farm Beautiful winner.

Judging criteria

1. Aesthetically pleasing farmstead appearance. Judges will evaluate the overall appearance of your farmstead. Be sure to show off any decorations, signs, or characteristics that make your farm unique.
2. Strategic layout to accommodate farming activities while creating an appealing setting. For example, this could be a back entrance to your farmstead that lets you bring machinery in through a separate driveway.
3. Well-maintained farmstead. Judges will be looking for well-kept farm buildings, including new or well-restored original barns, shops, grain systems, as well as fences, windmills, and other adornments located on your farmstead.
4. Creative use of landscape in a farmstead setting. Petunias, roses, or sunflowers – show us your best flowers surrounding your rolling hills, winding down entryways, or bringing life to the side of an old barn. Don’t forget your bushes and trees. From blossoms in the spring to fall’s crisp leaves, your trees bring out the beauty of the seasons.

What you need to enter

• Send up to 12 photographs.
• Submit a written description (up to 500 words) of your farmstead, including the history, what was done to develop the landscape, and how the layout accommodates your farming activities.

Submitting a video tour (up to 5 minutes) of the farmstead is optional. Entrants can enter online or through the mail. Online, visit www.agriculture.com/farmbeautiful, complete the registration, and follow the instructions. For mail, send all information to:

Successful Farming Magazine
Farm Beautiful Contest
1716 Locust Street/LS265
Des Moines, IA 50309-3023

Please include your name, address, telephone number, and email address (optional). Note that items submitted will not be returned. Three winners will be chosen and announced online at www.agriculture.com on September 6, 2013. Winners may also be featured in an issue of Successful Farming magazine.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Subject to Official Rules at www.agriculture.com/farmbeautifulrules. The Successful Farming Farm Beautiful Contest begins at 12:00 a.m. CT on 4/1/13 and ends at 10:59 p.m. CT on 7/31/13. Enter online at www.agriculture.com/farmbeautiful or enter by mail to Successful Farming Magazine, Farm Beautiful Contest, 1716 Locust Street/LS265, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023. Online entries must be received by 10:59 p.m. CT on 7/31/13; mail entries must be postmarked on or before 7/31/13 and received by 8/7/13. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are farmers and own or rent the farmstead in the entry submitted, and their spouses or immediate family members 21 years or older. Limit one (1) entry per farmstead. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Meredith Corporation.