Ten ‘agricultural journalists of the future’ have been selected by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) to participate in the 2025 Alltech Young Leaders programme.
Now entering its 20th year, the joint initiative – administered by IFAJ’s Presidium and the senior leadership of Alltech, a global leader in the agriculture industry – seeks to develop and support new and recent entrants to the profession through expert training, feedback and mentoring, delivered during a unique ‘Boot Camp’ at this year’s IFAJ Congress in Nairobi, Kenya, in October.
“For twenty years, Alltech and IFAJ have worked together to identify those who have the leadership potential to develop not only themselves, but the profession of agricultural journalism and communication as a whole,” says Adrian Bell, IFAJ secretary general.
“These ten Young Leaders will, like other YL alumni, become tomorrow’s leaders and influencers,” Bell enthuses, “continuing IFAJ’s mission to support and expand a vibrant, professional and well-skilled agricultural journalism sector to an ever-increasing number of countries.”
The ten 2025 Young Leaders are:
- Aizhan Rymbayeva, Kazakhstan and Türkiye
- Ben Eagle, United Kingdom
- Chelsea Dinterman, United States of America
- Johanna Fry, Germany
- Juliet Akoth, Kenya
- Keira Miller, Canada
- Luíza Cardoso, Brazil
- Nukanah Kollie, Liberia
- Rodrigo Bonazzola, Argentina
- Victoria Ellis, Australia
“Alltech has partnered with IFAJ since 2005 to support the Young Leader programme for promising agricultural journalists and communicators,” says Jenn Norrie, Alltech’s communications manager for North America and Europe.
“Not only does it hone the skills of their trade, but it also provides leadership and networking opportunities to contribute to their growth and development. The opportunity to connect with these young leaders early in their careers has been significant and has created many opportunities for me to connect my Alltech colleagues around the world with IFAJ-affiliated journalists in many of the countries that Alltech operates.
“Alltech is proud to support IFAJ and the agricultural journalists and communicators who give voice to farmers and producers, ensuring that stories of agriculture and food continue to be told around the world,” Norrie adds.
The Alltech Young Leaders programme invites applications from every one of the IFAJ’s 60 national associations, selecting just ten under-35s for the highly prized scholarships to participate in the three-day Boot Camp and attend the Congress that follows.
Young Leaders 2024 in Interlaken, Switzerland. Photo: Raphael Hünerfauth
IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Award
The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Award was established in 2006 by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and Alltech to recognize emerging leaders in agricultural journalism and communications from around the world. In addition to global recognition, Young Leaders participate in professional development and networking programmes held concurrently with IFAJ’s annual Congress. The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders programme is a key force in developing the next generation of volunteers for IFAJ and its member guilds. For more information, visit https://www.ifaj.org/our-programmes/young-leaders/
About IFAJ
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists exists to support agricultural journalism throughout the world, representing more than 5,000 agricultural journalists and communicators in 60 countries, and providing a platform for professional development and international networking.
IFAJ believes that every country should benefit from a vibrant, professional and well-skilled agricultural journalism sector. It’s another tool in agricultural development, given its potential to deliver improvements in agricultural productivity and wider understanding of agriculture in society. Thus we work to support agricultural journalism in countries already IFAJ members, and to build agricultural journalism networks where they don’t yet exist.
IFAJ members all belong to professional guilds that support freedom of the press and come from all disciplines of journalism and communication.
For more information on IFAJ and the Young Leaders programme, visit www.ifaj.org.
About Alltech
Founded in 1980 by Irish entrepreneur and scientist Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. Our diverse portfolio of products and services improves the health and performance of plants and animals, resulting in better nutrition for all and a decreased environmental impact.
Alltech is a global leader in the agriculture industry and produces specialty ingredients, premix supplements, feed and biologicals, backed by science and an unparalleled platform of services.
Strengthened by more than 40 years of scientific research, we carry forward a legacy of innovation and a unique culture that views challenges through an entrepreneurial lens. As a private, family-owned company, we adapt quickly to our customers’ needs and focus on advanced innovation.
Alltech believes that agriculture has the greatest potential to shape the future of our planet. At Alltech more than 5,000 talented team members worldwide share their purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. Together, Alltech teams can provide nutrition for all, revitalize local economies and replenish the planet’s natural resources.
For more information, visit alltech.com, or join the conversation on Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
