Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award

This career development award enables a young Australian to meet and network with some of the world's top agricultural journalists. It goes to the entrant who best illustrates leadership potential and a genuine commitment to a career in rural journalism.

The award is open to members of ACAJ affiliates who are actively working in the media covering rural or agricultural issues and are 32 years of age or under.

The award was set up in 2007 following the success of an international awards program sponsored by Alltech which sent two journalists from South Africa and Australia to the 2006 IFAJ Congress, held in Norway in August. The Australian recipient was then Northern Territory Country Hour presenter Adrienne Francis.

That experience encouraged Alltech and the ACAJ to establish a unique Australian award so that a young journalist from this country can participate in the IFAJ congress every year.

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 is attending the IFAJ congress in Europe this year as the winner of the Alltech Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award. Full report available later.

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