The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has announced the recipients of the 2019 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award. The program recognizes10 young agricultural journalists and communicators who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in reporting as well as excellent potential as future leaders of the industry. The winners were chosen by an international jury among applicants from many of IFAJ’s 50 member countries.
This year’s IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders award winners are:
- Prince Appiah, Multimedia Group, Ltd., Ghana
- Moses Bailey, Radio Gbarnga/The Bush Chicken, Liberia
- Kasey Brown, Angus Media, United States of America
- Marzell Buffler, Landmedien Deutschland, Germany
- Melissa Dahlqvist, Swedish Agro Machinery, Sweden
- Seedy Darboe, Network of Ag Communicators, Gambia
- Louise Denvir, RTÉ, Ireland
- Abi Kay, Farmers Guardian, United Kingdom
- Samantha Tennent, Dairy NZ, New Zealand
- Angus Verley, Australian Broadcasting Company, Australia
“The importance of strong journalism in communicating agriculture’s truth in today’s world cannot be overstated,” said Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech. “We are proud to support the next generation of journalists who are passionate about sharing the real stories of the farm and field, and the men and women who work tirelessly to feed our planet.”
The 10 honorees will attend the 2019 IFAJ Congress in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, in July. The Young Leaders will also participate in a boot camp in the days prior to the Congress, which includes professional development, networking workshops and farm visits in southern Minnesota.
“The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders program has helped strengthen so many individual careers, so many guilds around the world, and IFAJ as a whole,” said Steve Werblow, IFAJ secretary general. “Bringing together these talented, motivated and energetic young professionals is always a highlight of the year, and watching them go back home with new contacts and perspective is extremely exciting. Many of our organization’s dedicated volunteers are alumni of the Young Leaders program, which is true testament to how it helps build IFAJ year after year. We are grateful to Alltech for its long-standing commitment to the future of agricultural journalism, and we are very excited to meet the Young Leaders of 2019.”
The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award was established in 2006 by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and Alltech to recognize emerging leaders in agricultural journalism and communications from around the world. The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders program is a key force in developing the next generation of volunteers for IFAJ and its member guilds.
