DU QUOIN — Raiden Farthing, age 7, won a state level award in a photography contest for the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District.  

The AISWCD Auxiliary’s annual Photo Contest is open to all amateur photographers who reside in Illinois, according to their website.

Raiden said he got into photography because of his mom, Shelby Farthing. 

When he found out about the contest from his first-grade teacher at Du Quoin Elementary School, he decided to take a series of pictures at his grandfather’s farm in Tamaroa. 

There were four categories in the contest—Conservation practices, close-up conservation, conservation in action and agriculture and conservation across America.Raiden decided to submit photos in each category. 

Raiden won in the conservation in action category on the state level and conservation practices on the county level. 

He photographed his farm equipment in the conservation practices photo. The photo which won state, “Preparing for Spring,” shows his grandfather Raymond Farthing preparing equipment for the spring planting season on his farm in Tamaroa. 

Shelby Farthing said finding out Raiden won the contest gave her an overwhelming sense of pride.

“Losing his Memaw this year really rocked him hard,” she said. ”Between doing photography with me, our family support system, his amazing support system at Taekwondo and his teachers—he’s been able to adjust to the changes.”

On the day he took photos, Raiden said after he took the winning photo of Raymond Farthing, he asked Shelby Farthing to take a picture of his grandfather and him together. 

Raiden said his father also helped him take photos that day. 

The family is heading to Springfield on Monday, July 15 so that Raiden can receive his award for the photo at the AISWCD Awards Luncheon.

Out of all the children that entered the contest in Perry County, Raiden was the only one to win two categories, according to Shelby Farthing.

In addition to photography, Raiden practices Tae Kwon Do. He is getting ready to test for his yellow belt.  

He also likes horseback riding and won Reserve Grand Champion for Lead Line. He drives antique tractors on his grandparents’ farm. He always shows his grandfather and dad’s tractor at the Pinckneyville Thresherman Show.