The Andy Markwart Horizon Award, presented by the AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) and John Deere in a matching grant partnership, is an annual award given to an AAEA member who embodies the youthful vigor, energy, passion, dedication and creativity shown by Andy in his volunteer work for AAEA for many years. Andy, editor of The Furrow, died in 2006 from heart problems.

Award winner must meet the following criteria. Details can be found on the nomination form.
– Open to any AAEA member age 35 and younger.
– References. Two professional references (one from current employer).
– Essay: 500 words or less which describe your interest in receiving the stipend,
– Why you believe you are deserving, your professional goals, etc.
– Resume

Each year, the award’s winner receives a $2,500 stipend, which can be used for attending the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) annual Congress, the Agricultural Media Summit or a professional development class, seminar or workshop.

The Andy Markwart Horizon Award is being funded with a $25,000 grant over five years by John Deere (Andy’s employer for many years prior to his death) and matching funds to be raised by PIF.

Christy Couch Lee received the 2013 Andy Markwart Horizon Award. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in agricultural communications. While in Stillwater, she was OSU’s outstanding agricultural communications student and one of the top 10 graduating students in OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Since then, she has held positions with The Quarter Horse Journal, Homestead magazine and the National Swine Registry before heading her own company, Cee Lee Communications, in Wellington, Ill. Her company provides feature and news writing, photography and copy editing for agricultural publications and groups.