Activities and services

The ACAJ plays a valuable role at both a national and international level in linking people and organisations with a focus on agriculture and rural affairs.

Its key activities include:

• A national young rural leader's award, for young journalists showing professional and leadership potential. Each year, the award sends a national winner to the annual International Federation of Agricultural Journalism (IFAJ) congress which draws together leading rural journalists, photographers and communicators from around the world.

• The Australian Star Prize for Rural Writing, sponsored by John Deere, with a cash prize of $1,000. The winner represents Australia in an international award presented by the IFAJ.

• The Australian Star Prize for Rural Photography. The top three placegetters represent Australia in an international award presented by the IFAJ.

• Representing Australian rural journalists, photographers and communicators at the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, the peak professional global organisation for people involved in reporting and communicating paddock-to-plate issues in more than 30 countries.

Services and benefits

Through its affiliations with State and international organisations, the ACAJ also provides access to:

• Networking opportunities with leading government and industry representatives, communication specialists and media at State, national and international levels;

• Specialist skills and knowledge in other countries on issues effecting Australian farmers, industries and rural communities;

• Professional development and career opportunities including training seminars, on-line resources, work experience exchanges and links to potential employers.

• An internationally-recognized accreditation card which gives access to the upper echelons of agriculture and food industries and government representatives overseas, particularly in the European Union;

• IFAJ events including the annual congress - a highlight of the international calendar, attracting industry, government and business leaders and media from around the world.