Needing a little pat on the back for your newsroom’s work on issues related to agriculture and rural America? North American Agricultural Journalists are looking for your entires for the Excellence in Reporting on Agriculture.

You can’t give the excuse of your story not finding a home. There are six categories for contestants to choose from: news, spot news, features, columns/analysis, series and special projects. College students don’t have to worry about competing with the big dogs, there is a special category just for you.

The NAAJ is a professional, international group of editors and writers with a membership spanning the United States and Canada. Journalists eligible for membership are those who report or edit agricultural news for newspapers, magazines, wires and syndicated services and are independent of agricultural organizations and businesses. College students interested in a career in agricultural writing also are encouraged to join.

Most categories require you to be a NAAJ member. Those interested in joining can pay a $75 membership fee, but it must be received by January 28. Members may enter two entries per category and submit $10 per entry.

Members winning first-place vie for the Glenn Cunningham Ag Journalist of the Year Award. Winners will be recognized at NAAJ’s annual meeting banquet April 8 at the National Press Club in our nation’s capital.

Stories must be published in the 2012 calendar year and all entries must be received by the contest chair, David Hendee, no later than January 28.

You can find more information, contest rules and entry form here.