Win a trip to Texas - entries open now for young journalist award

A national award for rural journalists will send a young Australian to the United States in July this year to attend an international gathering of their peers from around the world.

The prestigious Alltech Australian Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award, now in its fourth year, is being organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ) in association with Alltech Biotechnology Pty Ltd.

The winner will attend the annual International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) congress in Texas from July 31 to August 5. The scholarship will cover airfares and registration costs for the congress, up to a value of $5,000.

The event will coincide with the Ag Media Summit, a professional development conference which draws hundreds of journalists from across North America every year to hone their skills in everything from creating blogs to writing and editing, newspaper design and photography.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for a young journalist committed to covering rural issues to improve their skills, and learn about agriculture and trade in a country that strongly influences farming in Australia,” said ACAJ president Gordon Collie.

“We are absolutely delighted with Alltech’s generous support to make this award possible and their ongoing commitment to the award despite global financial pressures. Offering an award of this nature is a crucial part of the ACAJ’s role in encouraging young journalists to pursue a career path in the rural sector,” Mr Collie said.

Alltech Australia marketing manager Emma May said the company remained committed to the award as part of a wider program that encouraged education and excellence among scientists, people writing about science and agriculture, and for company employees.

“Alltech strongly believes that education is vital to ensuring the sustainability and success of our industry. Rural journalists play a key role in this process and are essential in communicating what is happening in our industry, inspiring us all to move forward,” she said.

The award is open to journalists 32 years of age or under as at December 31, 2008. Entrants must be a member of a rural press club affiliated with the ACAJ.

Entries close March 31, 2009.

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.

People interested in the awards should contact their local rural media association or ACAJ vice president and official delegate to the IFAJ, Liz Harfull – email lizk@adam.com.au or phone 0409 674 941

Ends