IFAJ Bursary – CFWF

Mary MacArthur wins international travel bursery

Office@cfwf.ca — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 02:43:02 +0000

Mary MacArthur wins international travel bursary

(Ormstown, QC – June 1, 2026) – Agricultural journalist Mary MacArthur is the winner of the 2026 Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation international travel bursary sponsored by Bayer.

Mary, a freelance writer from Alberta with more than four decades of experience in agricultural reporting, will receive a $2,500 stipend towards her participation in the 2026 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ congress in Croatia this fall.

She writes for Western Producer, Canadian Cattlemen, Alberta Beef, Prairie Hog Country and Camrose Booster, and has been a member of the Alberta Farm Writers’ Association (AFWA) since 1995, where she’s served as both a director and president.

Mary was a member of the 2023 IFAJ congress organizing committee when the event has hosted in Olds, Alberta and has helped organize many AFWA tours and CFWF conferences.

“The IFAJ conference in Olds was the first IFAJ conference I had attended, and it was a joy to meet agricultural journalists from around the world who share a love of journalism and agriculture,” says Mary. “I can’t wait to attend my first international IFAJ congress and share the events and my new knowledge of Croatian agriculture with the Canadian groups.”

Bayer’s long-time support of this bursary recognizes the important role journalists and communicators play in the agriculture sector, and CFWF values the ongoing partnership with the company.

“Supporting the CFWF international bursary empowers Canadian agricultural journalists, like Mary MacArthur, to gain invaluable international experience,” says Ginger Rozmus, Communications Director at Bayer. “At Bayer, we believe that forming genuine connections amongst those in the industry is essential, as knowledge sharing and collaboration will continue to strengthen agriculture in Canada, as well as globally. We look forward to hearing the insights and stories that emerge from this year’s congress in Croatia.”

CFWF serves the common interests of agricultural journalists and communications professionals with approximately 350 members who belong to regional and provincial organizations. CFWF is a member of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, a global organization founded in 1956 representing more than 5,000 communicators in 60 countries that support freedom of the press.

The 2026 IFAJ Congress will be held September 16 – 20, 2026 in Croatia. Registration is now open and more information is available at https://ifaj2026.danh.hr/.

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For more information:

Barb Keith, CFWF, barb@cfwf.ca

2019—Lilian Schaer

Zoe Aikman — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 02:50:41 +0000

Article from April 15, 2019:

Freelance agriculture writer Lilian Schaer has been awarded the 2019 Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation (CFWF) International Bursary sponsored by Bayer. Schaer will attend the International Federation of Agriculture Journalists (IFAJ) Congress in Minneapolis this July.

Schaer, based in Guelph, Ontario, writes for agricultural publications across Canada and internationally and works with commodity and agricultural organizations as a communications specialist. She is a past-president of the Eastern Canada Farm Writers’ Association, a former CFWF board member, and served as co-chair of the 2011 IFAJ Congress when it was hosted in Canada.

Schaer has attended every IFAJ Congress since 2007 and believes it is an important professional development and networking opportunity. “IFAJ gives me the opportunity to learn about agriculture in a different part of the world to see how things are different but also to see how we aren’t that different from each other. You see those nuances when you have a chance to meet people and visit their farms, visit the processing facilities, their research stations,” says Schaer. “Over the years you develop relationships with people in all these different countries all over the world. As a freelancer, it has been absolutely invaluable over the course of my career to build this network.”

The bursary will cover up to $2,500 of registration fees and travel expenses. As the bursary winner, Schaer has plans to share her experience with CFWF members through a presentation at the next national conference in B.C., on Twitter, and through Instagram. She also plans to write news articles based on the tour stops and congress program for the various agricultural publications she works for.

“I really commend Bayer for being such a longstanding supporter of Canadian farm writers going to IFAJ. And I’m appreciative of the fact that this year I am the one benefitting from that,” says Schaer.

Bayer’s support of this bursary recognizes the important role journalists and communicators play within the agriculture industry.

“Attending an IFAJ Congress is an excellent opportunity to learn and grow,” says Trish Jordan, public & industry affairs director with Bayer. “Bayer believes that engaging with, and learning from, colleagues and farmers from around the globe broadens the perspective of Canadian agriculture journalists and communicators and ultimately helps them excel at their craft.”

This year’s IFAJ Congress is being held in conjunction with the American Ag Media Summit, providing access to additional skills workshops on writing and photography and a wide-range of tours. “I’m planning to attend the IFAJ post-Congress tour to California,” says Schaer. “It promises to be a deep dive into the production issues they have. I’m really intrigued and interested to see what I can learn there as I do a lot of work in the horticulture sector and California comes up a lot in terms of where our produce comes from, who we compete with, and the issues they have around drought and labour – which are issues we face as well.”

CFWF would like to thank Bayer for continuing to support this bursary. We would also like to thank the 2019 judging panel: Myrna Leader, Clare Stanfield, and John Greig.

2016—Trevor Bacque

Zoe Aikman — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 22:11:02 +0000

Managing editor of GrainsWest magazine, Trevor also publishes in the print and online publications of the Alberta Barley Commission and the Alberta Wheat Commission.

The judges noted that Trevor submitted a solid application, with a detailed editorial plan. His attendance at the 2016 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress in Bonn, Germany, in July will help his Canadian readers learn about German agriculture.

Trevor continues to volunteer his time on the boards of the Alberta Farm Writers’ Association and the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation, and he recently served as a judge for the IFAJ-FAO Award for Excellence in Global Food Security Reporting.

The bursary will cover up to $2,500 of registration and travel expenses to attend the IFAJ Congress in Bonn. As the successful applicant, Trevor will be sharing information gathered at the Congress with his fellow farm writers as well as a broader audience.

“I’m so fortunate to receive this bursary and have the chance to learn about agriculture in Germany, one of the world’s most progressive and sustainable nations,” said Trevor. “The CFWF bursary gives me the chance to expand my media network and perspective as I continue to learn more about global agriculture.”

Trevor studied journalism and communications in Calgary, Alberta, where he currently lives. Prior to the agriculture industry, Trevor worked as a reporter in Rocky View County covering agriculture, crime, education and politics, He expressed gratitude for all the agricultural opportunities he’s experienced and the people he has met since beginning at GrainsWest.

“As active members of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation, we are pleased to be able to offer support to journalists who are interested in engaging with their peers outside of Canada,” said Trish Jordan, Public and Industry Affairs Director with Monsanto Canada. “It is a way for them to share the story of farmers and Canadian agriculture, while also learning about agriculture in other parts of the world.”

CFWF would like to thank Monsanto for continuing to support this bursary. We would also like to thank the 2016 judging panel: David Schmidt, John Greig and Allison Finnamore.

2015—Sharon Grose

Zoe Aikman — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 22:08:13 +0000

A regular contributor to the Ontario Farmer, Sharon also freelances for the Western Producer and other publications, including Today’s Farmer, Rural Delivery, Regional Country News and Metroland. Sharon’s involvement with CFWF, her plans for publishing reports on her trip and her essay on how she would represent Canadian agriculture to other international members were key factors in the judges’ decision to select her application.

The bursary will cover up to $2500 of registration and travel expenses to attend the 2015 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress, in Hamilton, New Zealand. As the successful applicant, Sharon will be sharing information gathered at the Congress with her fellow farm writers as well as a broader audience.

“Attending IFAJ 2015 provides an opportunity to explore New Zealand and connect with writers and photographers from around the world to learn about agriculture and food production ‘down under.’” said Sharon. “IFAJ provides an opportunity to network globally and connect with people who are passionate about sharing and telling agriculture’s story.”

“You cannot put a value on networking opportunities with colleagues; it is just something that you need to do for professional development. I enjoy meeting new people, building connections and fostering good relationships with other people” she added. “Too often we get busy with day-to-day commitments and do not take time to recharge and to connect with others in the industry.”

Sharon is a graduate from the University of Guelph and the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program. She resides in Wellington County, Ontario, on the family farm with husband Walter and four children. As a member of a family whose business is manufacturing farm machinery, she brings an interesting perspective to the conference. She says she has been blessed with the opportunity to travel across Canada and USA camera in hand, photographing and writing about agriculture in North America.

“We have appreciated the opportunity to be involved with Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation over the years, ” said Trish Jordan, Public and Industry Affairs Director with Monsanto Canada. “Our support for the IFAJ bursary is an extension of the collaborative work we do together and I think it is great that Canadian farm journalists want to explore and learn about agriculture in different parts of the world.”

2017—Alexis Kienlen

Zoe Aikman — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 22:05:20 +0000

Kienlen, based in Edmonton, AB, has worked extensively in agriculture, primarily as a staff reporter for the Alberta Farmer newspaper. Her work has appeared in more than 10 publications including the Manitoba Co-operator and GrainsWest magazine.

The bursary will cover up to $2,500 of registration and travel expenses to attend the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) annual congress in South Africa. As the successful applicant, Kienlen will be sharing information gathered at the Congress with her fellow farm writers at the 2017 CFWF annual conference in Quebec City, as well as a variety of additional audiences throughout the year following the IFAJ congress.

“I am really thrilled to be able to make my first visit to Africa to represent Canada at the IFAJ congress in South Africa. It is an extreme honour to be chosen for this opportunity”, says Kienlen.

The 2017 judges noted Kienlen’s interest in and knowledge about food security would make this congress a natural fit with her writing focus. In addition, her strong social media following positions her well to engage with a broad audience.

Kienlen has been involved with CFWF since 2008. She served as a board member from 2009-2011. Her writing has won her a gold (2015) and silver award (2014) through the CFWF awards program.

Kienlen has completed her education in journalism, international studies, and food security from various Canadian institutions. In addition to her agricultural writing, Kienlen is a published author, with two poetry books, She dreams in red (2007) and 13 (2011), and a biographical novel, Truth, love and non-violence: The life of Gurcharan Singh Bhatia (2014), to her credit.

“I’ve found that one of the best ways to learn about agriculture is to get out on the ground and see it firsthand, and learn from farmers on their operations. I really look forward to learning more about farming in Africa and sharing my newfound knowledge with my Canadian peers.”

“Monsanto is pleased to support the efforts of journalists interested in learning about agriculture around the globe,” said Trish Jordan, Director, Public & Industry Affairs with Monsanto Canada. “Journalists play a critical role in sharing the Canadian agriculture story with others and it is through sharing and dialogue that we all gain a better appreciation of food, farmers, and agriculture regardless of where or how we farm.”

CFWF would like to thank Monsanto for continuing to support this bursary. We would also like to thank the 2017 judging panel: Tamara Leigh, Owen Roberts, and Clare Stanfield.