The College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign last week unveiled plans for a global center for food and agricultural communications as part of the National Ag Day celebration.

Named after the storied agricultural communications pioneer and Illinois professor emeritus, the James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications will continue to advance excellence in this space through outreach, professional development, research, convenings, and degree programs.

To kickstart the more than $5 million fundraising campaign that is required to establish the Evans Center, a sizable donation has been made in Evans’ name by an anonymous alumnus. An initial phase for the Evans Center will start this year in a dedicated space adjacent to a new learning innovation lab being constructed in the lower level of the College of ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center, commonly known as the Funk Library.

The University and the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists have conducted needs assessments showing significant communications demand in areas such as strategic and critical thinking, knowledge mobilization, multi-media production processes, and leadership training. Priorities for the Evans Center will include professional development events, skills training, visiting global agricultural journalist programs, unbiased media research, executive seminars, consumer outreach efforts, and more.

Contributions can be made online at go.aces.illinois.edu/GivetoEvansCenter.