An application form has now been posted on the IFAJ web site for first of the IFAJ awards contests this year, the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award.
This award is designed to promote and develop leadership potential in IFAJ, and in agricultural journalism and communications.
This award gives 1,000 Euros to a young journalist (35 years of age and under), to be used towards registration at the IFAJ congress in Canada September 14-18, 2011. Rules and application procedures are posted here.
New this year is two days at a professional development “boot camp” in Guelph, a training event designed to improve the leadership skills and journalistic abilities of the award winners. Alltech, the contest sponsor, has agreed to pay all costs for the boot camp, doubling its commitment from the past several years.
Also new this year is a multi-purpose application form, posted on the IFAJ web site. It was designed to help reach and identify as many young members as possible, to help standardize and formalize the application process and make the application process easier.
A key part of the application is a statement explaining why you, as the young member applicant, believe you have leadership potential.
Applicants will use the form to apply to their member guilds (see list here), stating why they think they have leadership potential. Guilds will sort through the applications, make their choices then forward the winning application (with supporting documents) to IFAJ Secretary General Owen Roberts by the April 15 deadline.
