IFAJ -Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award

Closing date – February 3, 2012

This international professional development award enables young rural journalists from around the world to attend the annual IFAJ Congress and participate in a unique boot camp that will provide expert training and feedback through on-site writing or broadcasting assignments. 2012 recipients will go to Sweden in August.

The competition is open to members of State-based rural press clubs affiliated with the ACAJ, who are actively working in the media covering rural or agricultural issues and are 35 years of age or under. Australians must apply through the ACAJ. A candidate will then be chosen to represent Australia in the final international selection process which will be carried out by the IFAJ.

The award covers registration costs for both the congress and the boot camp, worth approximately $1200. (Entrants should note the program does not include airfares.)

For entry forms and full details about the award please go to the IFAJ website

Please note: Australian entries close on February 3, 2012, to allow time for the ACAJ to select the national candidate (the closing date mentioned on the IFAJ website is for national organisations only).

Entries should be sent to the Secretary, Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists
C/- Kim Payne
PO Box 500
East Melbourne, Victoria, 3002

Or emailed to Kim Payne at kim.payne@dse.vic.gov.au
For more information: Contact ACAJ president Liz Harfull on 0409 674 941, or email lizharfull@internode.on.net

About Alltech

Alltech is a multinational biotechnology company providing natural animal health solutions through nutrition. The company employs more than 1700 people in 85 countries and operates 14 production facilities, including two in the Asia-Pacific region.

Alltech is recognised as one of the leading research-based animal health companies in the world. By focusing on providing natural solutions to real problems, it works to respond to the industry needs and enhance customers' profitability. Alltech is committed to its pioneering ACE program, ensuring its products are safe for the animal, the consumer and the environment.

More information: www.alltech.com/index.cfm

2010 winner

Stock and Land editor Tom Dawkins was chosen to attend the IFAJ congress in Europe this year. Unfortunately volcanic activity in Iceland disrupted his travel plans, but Tom says winning the award has none-the-less enhanced his professional outlook.

"The changing face of Australian agriculture and the rapid modernisation in media technology means it is such an exciting and challenging time for rural journalists. Being a part of my state rural press club and participating in the Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award has significantly enhanced my professional outlook and helped me to strive for continual growth and development as a young agricultural journalist.

“I commend Alltech and the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists for support this important initiative and recommend the Young Leaders award to all my peers.”

2009 winner

ABC rural reporter Airlie Douglas from Queensland, attended the IFAJ Congress in Texas, USA.

“The honour of winning the Alltech Young Leader in Rural Journalism wasn't just a
trip to the United States but the start of an even more exciting journey,” she wrote in her report on the experience.

“I smile even as I write about the highlights of the 2009 IFAJ Congress. What a wonderful week. It's rare you strike an event that manages to hold your interest for the whole program but this one did. The sessions were very informative and touched on issues of international significance.

“Overall the biggest highlight of the Congress was meeting like-minded people. I feel I've made some firm friends in the time I spent in Fort Worth and without a doubt some fantastic contacts, some of whom I've already called upon.”

Read Arlie's full report

Arlie is pictured receiving a plaque commemorating her award from Alltech president and founder Dr. Pearse Lyons during a visit to Australia in 2009

2008 winner

Rural Press journalist Catherine Miller, is livestock editor at the Stock Journal in South Australia, based at Naracoorte in the South East of the State. Catherine attended the 2008 IFAJ Congress in Austria.

 "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the 2008 IFAJ conference in Austria and Slovenia as the recipient of the Alltech Young Leader in Rural Journalism award,” she said after the event.

"This amazing week opened my eyes to European farming and EU agricultural policies, but without a doubt the highlight was the chance to network with some of the most highly respected agricultural journalists in the world.

"The conference brought home the global nature of agriculture today and the importance of Australian farmers remaining informed about how their competitors are operating and what their customers want.

"It was a great social and educational experience and has enabled me to form a world-wide network of contacts which are just an email away."

Read more about Catherine’s trip Stock Journal O9/10/08  Stock Journal 16/10/2008

2007 winner

Western Australian journalist Paul Hooper won the the inaugural Australian Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award.

Based in Perth, Paul was then wool, business and transport writer for Farm Weekly. He went to the 2007 IFAJ congress in Japan – the first IFAJ congress held in Asia.

“I believe the Alltech Young Leaders in Journalism Award is one of the most beneficial awards on offer for Australia’s budding generation of rural journalists. The Alltech award is absolutely crucial to the survival of the industry and to showing young rural journalists that they can actually ‘get out there’ and experience the world and not go unappreciated in some small office in regional Australia,” he said.
Read more about Paul's experience