GUELPH, Canada — Ten participants have been selected for this year’s IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism award.
The award supports the winners’ participation in an IFAJ congress and in an intensive journalistic boot camp-style workshop. This year’s boot camp takes place August 12-15, prior to the IFAJ congress in Sweden.
The successful applicants for 2012 are:
1. Mercedes Manfroni, agribusiness writer, La Nacion (Argentina)
2. Nikolai Beilharz, broadcast journalist, ABC (Australia)
3. Stefan Nimmervoll, reporter, Blick Ins Land news (Austria)
4. Alexis Kienlen, journalist, Alberta Farmer newspaper (Canada)
5. Julia Davids, editor, dlz agrarmagazin (Germany)
6. Aly Balsom, deputy livestock editor, Farmer’s Weekly (Great Britain)
7. Ciara O’Kelly, consumer journalist, Irish Country Living (Ireland)
8. Jerica Potocnik, website editor and journalist, Green Land magazine (Slovenia)
9. Lindi van Rooyen, reporter, Farmer’s Weekly (South Africa)
10. Christy Couch Lee, features and news writer (United States of America)
Candidates were nominated by their respective agricultural journalism guilds.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for up-and-coming leaders in journalism,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Through this program, these talented young journalists will strengthen their skills and experience a unique opportunity to expand their global network.”
This year, judges were guided by a new selection process, consisting of points for a written submission, judges’ impression of the candidates’ leadership potential, their proven leadership abilities and a narrative explaining their interest in the young leaders’ program.
The judges for the 2012 competition were IFAJ executive members Riitta Mustonen of Finland and Jesus Lopez Colemenarejo of Spain. Competition coordinator is Owen Roberts, IFAJ Secretary General.
“This award exists thanks to the generosity, support and vision of Alltech, particularly its emphasis on youth development,” says Roberts. “IFAJ greatly appreciates Alltech’s commitment to the future of agricultural journalism and to our federation.”
Contact: Owen Roberts, (1) 519 835 4744 owen(at)uoguelph.ca
