Take part in this 10-minute survey for the chance to win €75!
An exciting new IFAJ partnership between IFAJ and the United States Sustainability Alliance (USSA) kicks off this month, starting with a survey to help shape and develop future engagement strategies with agricultural journalists.
Founded in 2013 as a non-profit organisation, USSA is one of the largest member organisations for agriculture in the US. Its 25 members – representing trade associations in the agriculture, food, farming, fishery and forestry industries, including previous IFAJ partners US Grains Council and US Soybean Export Council – are annually responsible for more than $7bn of food and agricultural exports to the EU alone.
With a mission to share insights into US production methods and highlight best practices in its agricultural sustainability programmes, USSA approached IFAJ in 2023 to discuss the potential for co-operation and member engagement, including media tours to the US.
“We’re always looking for partnerships that offer the best value and opportunities to the membership,” says IFAJ Treasurer Adrian Bell. “Working with corporate partners allows us to fund more activities, more widely, than would otherwise be possible.
“With every partnership, we also gain more exposure for IFAJ, our work, and the skills of our members,” adds Adrian. “USSA’s approach and offer ticks all the right boxes.”
Press Tour: Alaska
A ‘pilot’ press tour in May 2023 took IFAJ members to Nebraska for a behind-the-scenes look at American farming and food production. Visits included farms and university research centres, taking in Nebraska’s renowned beef, dairy, soybeans and corn sectors, and a visit to the Sandhills region – remarkable as the world’s most intact prairie.
“Alaska is the focus for a second tour in 2024, to explore The Last Frontier’s sustainable seafood, farming and food production industries,” reveals Adrian. “For both of these trips, we’ve worked closely with USSA and individual guilds to identify members well-suited to these topics and issue invites.”
Other ‘on the ground’ activities are likely to include events in Europe, where there’ll be attendance and reporting opportunities for IFAJ members, and remote or online events to engage with wider numbers.
Survey Seeks IFAJ Member Insight
“Right now, what we and USSA are keen to complete is a journalist benchmark research survey,” notes Adrian. “USSA sees IFAJ members as ‘high value and high influence’ in terms of their knowledge, global understanding, and audience reach.”
“Participating in the survey will help USSA improve the efficacy of its communications programme by evidencing current perceptions, areas for improvement, and the potential for future scaling of the programme.”
Adrian says members can complete the survey in less than 10 minutes and urges as many as possible to participate – something that he hopes the incentive of a €75 prize draw will encourage.
“Not only does it ensure that USSA gets the information they need to improve and refine their communications, but it also reinforces the value of the IFAJ community as a global network.
“Collectively, our members have deep, deep experience and understanding of global agricultural issues. By sharing some of that knowledge we can demonstrate how USSA, and others like them, can better engage with agricultural journalists around the world.”
Access the survey here: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90600058/Your-Views