FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OSIJEK, Croatia (September 19, 2026) — The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) has announced the recipients of the 2026 IFAJ Star Prize, recognizing outstanding agricultural journalism published or broadcast during 2025.
The results span five reporting themes and five media formats, together with the support of Alliance Tires. The 2026 results include joint winners in Journalist of the Year and the Supreme Guild Award.
The awards were announced during the IFAJ Annual Congress in Osijek, Croatia, as the federation marked its 70th anniversary. The winning work covers rural culture, artificial intelligence, water politics, renewable energy, farm finance, global trade, rural decline, food freight, dairy management, irrigation technology, post-pandemic markets and workplace inclusion.
Theme awards
| Award | Winner | Runner-up |
| Rural Culture | Julio Cezar Huber, Brazil | Greg Berg, Canada |
| Technology | Kerry Staight, Australia | Shagun Kapil, India |
| Sustainability | Kerry Staight, Australia | Ariosto Mesquita, Brazil |
| Innovation | Pip Courtney, Australia | Joel Reichenberger, United States |
| Trade, Economics or Global Issues | Elaine Shein, United States; Kath Sullivan, Australia | Marie Hatlevoll, Norway |
Format awards
| Award | Winner | Runner-up |
| Audio | Anna Jones, United Kingdom | Sarah Mock, United States |
| Video | Lucy Cooper, Australia | Rahab Watari, Kenya |
| Digital Media | Lars Angantyr, Sweden | Julio Cezar Huber, Brazil |
| Photography | Andrew Castillo, United States | Dewald Kirsten, South Africa |
| Joel Reichenberger, United States | Shagun Kapil, India |
Journalist of the Year
Julio Cezar Huber of Brazil and Pip Courtney of Australia were named joint recipients of the 2026 IFAJ Star Prize Journalist of the Year honor. Huber was recognized for his digital feature on Caparaó, while Courtney was recognized for her Landline report “Solar Livestock.”
Supreme Guild Award
Danusia Osiowy of the United Kingdom won the 2026 IFAJ Star Prize Supreme Guild Award for “A comprehensive guide to neurodiversity-friendly communications.” Thijmen van Zessen of the Netherlands received the runner-up recognition for “Decline in livestock numbers puts pressure on grassland area.”
Program support
The IFAJ Star Prize recognizes excellence in agricultural journalism across the world. The 2026 program is supported by Alliance Tires. Links to available winning and runner-up entries are published through IFAJ and the recipients’ media organizations.
About IFAJ
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is a non-partisan, not-for-profit professional association for agricultural journalists and communicators. IFAJ supports professional development, international exchange and networking through its member guilds, which embrace freedom of the press.
Media contact
IFAJ Global Manager globalmanager@ifaj.org
IFAJ Star Prize winners and guild representatives in Croatia. Photo by Katie Knapp.
