The latest issue of the IFAJ newsletter contains an interesting survey. It’s really just one question, “What dangers do you face in your work as an agricultural journalist or editor?” The choices are:
You may choose more than one answer.
Failing to try new ideas
Budget cuts
Media convergence
Losing journalistic integrity
Freedom of expression
Emergence of new media – blogs, internet news sites etc
No time to look ahead
Physical dangers
Other dangers – please explain
I was kind of taken back at first at the concept of “danger” to agricultural journalism jobs. I took this to mean that someone is afraid. Perhaps afraid that they’ll have a job? I’ve always lived with the idea that there is no such thing as job security, that the only way I can secure an income for myself and my family is to work hard and do the best job I can. Maybe I’m missing something here. I believe we’re in a period of unbelievable opportunity in ag journalism. I don’t care if you’re a freelancer or work for a major corporation. If your job is in jeopardy then be looking for something else because there’s a lot of opportunities out there.
I realize that there may be situations within the IFAJ membership in other countries that I’m not aware of that is prompting this kind of survey. There are still countries where there is no such thing as “freedom of the press” for example. There are countries where physical danger exists just to survive. I can’t even imagine what working in those situations are like. At least here in America I do believe we’ve got it good and the only danger I see is the first choice listed above, “Failing to try new ideas.”
What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to comment.
The term podcast has different meanings to different people. Me, I think it has to involve RSS so it can be subscribed to. To some it’s just a web link to an audio file. That’s the way the folks at 
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I know we’ve heard a lot from Gene Hemphill here on AgWired the past few days but well we should. Here’s my interview with him from the trade show floor at Commodity Classic. In it we talk about his support of the ag media including sponsoring the media room. Gene says they’ve been doing it since Commodity Classic started and before that individually at the organizational meetings of the groups involved with Classic.
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There aren’t too many people in agricultural marketing who don’t know Gene Hemphill, Industry Affairs, New Holland. You probably know that we honored him at the media reception at Commodity Classic. This week’s program expands on that theme. Gene is a friend as well as a client and beloved by all of us in the media who have worked with him for so long. For all the attention he’s getting for “partially retiring” I can’t wait to see what happens when he really retires!
Kip Cullers of Missouri is not only a great corn and soybean grower, he has become one heck of an entertaining speaker. He’s really fun to be around, but he is totally serious about helping other growers meet their optimum potential for yields.
Kip says with prices where they are today, growers should make every effort to maximize soybean yields. “Soybeans now are $15, so – my gosh – you can spend a little and make a bunch. It’s simple economics.”
Besides hearing from a researcher and a farmer we also heard from Commodity Classic Learning Center sponsor Bruce Battles, Agronomy Marketing Manager,