Recipients named for first Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism award Two journalists from Australia and South Africa are the first recipients of the new IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award. The travel scholarship recognizes the leadership potential of young members from countries belonging to the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). It encourages their involvement in the international organization by sponsoring their participation at the federation’s annual congress, where they will meet the world’s top agricultural journalists. The award’s inaugural winners are Adrienne Francis, a radio reporter with the Australian Broadcasting Commission, based in Darwin, and Gavin Grobbelaar, from the South African farm magazine, Farmers Weekly. They will attend the federation’s 50th annual congress, being held this year in Hamar, Norway, August 12-16. “The opportunity for these young journalists to attend an esteemed gathering of the best agricultural journalists in the world will have a profound influence on their careers,” said federation president David Markey of Ireland. Award chair Owen Roberts of Canada, who is also the IFAJ’s vice-president for professional development and education, said the award gives the organization an opportunity to identify and encourage the next generation of leaders. “It’s important to support and nurture those who are destined to develop in the profession, help the organization grow and contribute positively to agricultural journalism,” he said. The award is sponsored by Alltech Biotechnology (www.alltech.com), one of the world’s leading research-based animal nutrition companies, based in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. “One of the agricultural industry’s greatest assets is its journalists,” says Alltech president Dr. Pearse Lyons. “Making people aware of what’s going on in the industry is essential for us to move forward. The IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agriculture Journalism award not only develops the future leaders in the field of journalism, but it also embodies Alltech’s passion for supporting the endeavors and embracing the energy of youth.” The award is being offered as a three-year pilot program, and will expand next year to include four young journalists, who will take part in the annual IFAJ congress in Japan. The recipients will be introduced at the congress by Markey. An account of their experiences at the congress will appear in the IFAJ News, and on the IFAJ website. For more information on the award recipients and sponsor, go to the Professional Development page. TOP