An Illinois woman’s photo was a second-place finisher in a national contest and because of that, a rural school district’s ag department will be getting some new educational materials.

The Power to Do More contest, sponsored by Corteva ("Core-TEE-vuh") Agriscience, invited people to submit unique photos and stories showing the power of farming and the growing of stronger communities for a chance of a $10,000 grand prize. 

Marsha Strum of Dehinda submitted a photo of the community coming together to help raise a piece of playground equipment designed to look like a barn in the small rural town of Williamsfield.

Strum’s daughter, Joanie Stiers, says that the photo was a perfect fit for the contest.

Stiers is the director of the Williamsfield FFA Alumni and Friends, who benefits from the second-place prize of $5,000. She said the nonprofit will put that prize into the school district for new tools and equipment for the soon-to-be-finished renovations for the ag department.

Stiers called it "heartwarming" how the little town of less than 600 could place so high on the national competition.

Besides the $20,000 being awarded to the top three vote-getters, Corteva is awarding $7,000 to the other finalists and the nonprofit organizations they're associated with.