IFAJ Welcomes New Executive Committee Members

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Chuck

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists welcomes new executive committee members.

Newest members of the IFAJ committee include:

Leigh Radford
Australia

Leigh Radford of Australia is the National Editor of ABC Rural, a special department within the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He primarily covers agriculture and mining issues. In addition to his involvement with ACAJ he is Vice President of his state’s rural press club, Rural Media South Australia.He said, “I’m delighted to join the Executive of the IFAJ and contribute to the international body that represents rural and agricultural journalists. IFAJ can be a powerful vehicle to encourage dialogue between journalists in different parts of the world, exchange ideas, learn from one another and become better educated about the issues faced in other parts of the world.”

Per Henrik Hansen
Denmark

Per Henrik Hansen of Denmark is a journalist and communications consultant for topics including food, agriculture and rural areas. He primarily works with Denmark’s organic sector.Per looks forward to contributing to further developing IFAJ and helping it become a more global organization, including helping colleagues of third world countries gain international contacts, and develop professionally.

Tadashi Murata
Japan

Tadashi Murata of Japan is an editor for the Zenkou Kyoudou Publication Ltd. Zenkou Kyoudou publishes a monthly magazine and the book of business management for the Japan Agricultural Co-operatives(JA) and Small Business co-operatives. He also runs a flower shop in Tokyo and a private business specializing in websites and writing.Tadashi has experienced the community provided by IFAJ members and said he looks forward to another exciting Congress and seeing friends. As an executive team member he’s looking forward to learning more details about agriculture in other countries.

Steve Werblow
United States

Steve Werblow is a freelance writer and photographer in the northwestern part of the U.S.A. He works for John Deere’s magazines, The Furrow and Homestead, as well as a variety of other clients in agriculture and industry.

Steve says he is looking forward to helping IFAJ continually broaden its international network and find new ways to provide professional development opportunities for members around the world.

Assistance Available To Attend 2012 IFAJ Congress

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Chuck

It’s not too early to look ahead to the 2012 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress which will take place in Sweden. It’s on my calendar. If you need some assistance going, one option is for AAEA members to apply for a professional development stipend. Another is for young agricultural communicators to apply for an IFAJ-Alltech Young Leader Award.

AAEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STIPENDS
The AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) is funding three, $2,000 stipends to help AAEA members at large (a fourth stipend is awarded to the current International Committee chair) travel to Sweden for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress this summer.

Send your completed application to Steve Werblow, chair of the AAEA International Committee, by FEBRUARY 3. Stipend winners will be announced February 10 – the day IFAJ Congress registration opens.

Application Form (.doc)

IFAJ-ALLTECH YOUNG LEADERS AWARD
Applications are now available for the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award, an exciting program for agricultural communicators 35 years of age and younger. Here are some highlights:

- A 1,000-Euro ($1,272) prize
- Travel scholarship to the 2012 IFAJ Congress in Sweden
- Participation in a professional development Boot Camp with the other award winners from around the world
- Connection with a mentor from the IFAJ community

Each IFAJ member guild (AAEA is a guild, and you are all members) can nominate one candidate to the global competition. The AAEA International Committee will select one candidate from among the AAEA member applicants; judging of the 10-person Class of 2012 will be conducted by an IFAJ panel.

Entry requirements are available online. They include:

- Candidates must have been no more than 35 years of age on December 31, 2011
- Applicant must be an active or affiliate member in good standing of AAEA
- Application includes a brief essay
- Candidate must submit three samples of his or her work for judging.

Application Form (.doc)

Lycka till! (That’s Swedish for “Good luck!”)

Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists Commemorates 50 Years

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Chuck

The Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists has just released a 50th Anniversary document (pdf) that includes historical information and photos. Here are a couple of samples:

In 1961 we had a visit from John Hayhurst, President of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists, London. He was editor of a weekly called The Smallholder. He was exploring Ireland’s potential for membership. He was met by Henry Kennedy, director of IAOS (now ICOS) and General John Costello, chief executive of the Irish Sugar Company.

New scope had arisen with the imminent launch of RTE television and the growing significance of public relations for the larger agricultural bodies like the Department of Agriculture, the Irish Sugar Company and the newly formed Bord Bainne.

and

The Guild’s Journalism awards honour professionals who have achieved excellence in journalism and communications. The awards were initiated in 1976 in honour of the late Vincent Colgan, public relations manager with Bord Bainne (now the Irish Dairy Board).

The Journalist of the Year was selected by nomination and ballot of Guild members and was presented with the bronze bull. There was just one annual award which was presented at the Bord Bainne sponsored function for the Guild, held on the eve of the RDS Spring Show.

Deadline Moved Up For IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Award

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Chuck

Calling on future young leaders in agricultural journalism. The deadline for the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism award is being moved to March 1, 2012. Previously, the deadline had been set at April 15, 2012. The change was made to allow award winners time to make travel plans as economically as possible.

“Travel is becoming increasingly complicated and expensive,” says IFAJ Secretary General Owen Roberts, chair of the awards program. “The earlier deadline allows the selection committee time to make its choices much sooner, so the winners can proceed making their travel plans in an orderly fashion.”

Applicants must fill out a form and submit to their country guild. Guilds are encouraged to nominate candidates 35 years of age or younger for these scholarships.

For full awards information, visit http://www.ifaj.org/contests-and-awards/young-leaders-award.html.

Canadian Wine Tasting

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Chuck

One of my tour stops during the 2011 IFAJ Congress was Jackson Triggs Vintners. We had an excellent lunch and wine tasting that included some of their icewine. One of the take-aways was that Canada produces more than just good ice wine. We had a nice red and white wine during our sampling.

Following lunch we toured the wine making facility with our guide, Carlee. We started out in a vineyard and then moved inside to the production area and ended where the wine is stored before bottling. One of the interesting things I remember Carlee saying is that the vineyards are planted in north/south rows now due to the direction of the wind off Lake Ontario. We could see some older vineyards planted the opposite direction. You can hear Carlee talk about their wine making in this video.