photo contest | 2026
Rooted in the West – 2026 Photo & Story Contest
1. Sponsor The Rooted in the West Photo & Story Contest is hosted by the New Mexico Beef Council (“the Council”).
2. Eligibility Open to legal residents of the United States Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry Void where prohibited by law
3. Contest Period Launch Date: April 13, 2026 Submission Deadline: May 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM (local time) Entries submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
4. How to Enter To enter, participants must: Complete the official entry form Upload an original photo (or photos) Provide required information and optional story details Agree to these Terms & Conditions No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
5. Entry Requirements All submissions must: Be original work created by the entrant Not infringe upon any third-party rights Accurately reflect agriculture, ranching, or western lifestyle Not contain inappropriate, offensive, or unlawful content The Council reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not meet these requirements.
6. Categories & Judging Entries will be judged within designated categories and skill levels (Amateur and Professional). Judging criteria may include: Creativity and originality Relevance to theme (Rooted in the West) Visual quality Storytelling impact Judging decisions are final.
7. Public Voting (If Applicable) Select finalists may be presented for public voting (“People’s Choice”). The Council reserves the right to: Monitor voting activity Disqualify fraudulent or manipulated votes
8. Prizes & Recognition Grand Prize One (1) grand prize winner will have their photo featured on a billboard within New Mexico state. Category Winners Winners in each category and skill level will: Be featured across the Council's marketing channels Receive Beef Council merchandise General Recognition Selected entries may be featured in: Social media content Websites and blogs Advertising and promotional materials Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.
9. Rights & Usage License By submitting an entry, participants grant the Council a: Non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, edit, modify, publish, distribute, and display submitted content (including photos, videos, and written stories) in any media format, now known or later developed. This includes, but is not limited to: Social media Websites Advertising campaigns Print materials Educational and promotional content
10. Ownership Participants retain ownership of their submitted content. However, by entering, participants grant the Council the rights described above without additional approval or compensation.
11. No Compensation Participants acknowledge and agree that: No payment, royalties, or compensation will be provided for the use of submitted content.
12. Likeness & Model Release By submitting an entry, participants grant permission for the Council to use the name, image, and likeness of any identifiable individuals appearing in the submission. Participants are responsible for obtaining consent from all individuals featured in their content.
13. Minors If any individual depicted in a submission is under the age of 18: The entrant must be the parent/legal guardian, or Must have obtained consent from a parent/legal guardian
14. Liability Release By entering, participants agree to release and hold harmless the Council, their employees, partners, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from: Participation in the contest Use of submitted content Acceptance or use of any prize
15. Right to Modify or Cancel The Council reserves the right to: Modify, suspend, or cancel the contest at any time Update these Terms & Conditions as needed
16. Disqualification The Council reserves the right to disqualify any participant who: Violates these Terms & Conditions Submits false or misleading information Attempts to manipulate the contest process
17. Governing Law This contest is governed by the laws of the United States and applicable state laws of New Mexico.
18. Contact Information For questions regarding the contest, please contact: New Mexico Beef Council [email protected]