Ian won for his story, Crisis Control, which was published in the Winter 2019 edition of GrainsWest magazine, of which he is associate editor. The entry was the Canadian submission to the IFAJ Star Prize contest having been the Gold winner in the Press Feature category of the 2019 CFWF Awards Competition. 

Read Ian’s  winning story here.

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.

Early on in his involvement with the CFWF, Owen took an active interest in the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and his willingness to become involved helped boost interest in IFAJ among Canada’s farm writers.

Today, Owen serves as the IFAJ president, the first Canadian to be elected to the IFAJ Presidium. Prior to his presidential role, he served as IFAJ secretary general and vice-president, and is also a past president of CFWF.

Amongst his accomplishments, Owen was a moving force in generating the legacy funds from the 2011 IFAJ congress in Canada, of which he was co-chair of the organizing committee, that led to the creation of the CFWF Professional Development fund; today, members of CFWF can apply for financial support for individual professional development activities they might otherwise not be able to undertake. It’s also worth noting that Canadian farm writers’ ongoing enthusiasm for IFAJ, stimulated by Owen, shows no sign of abating as Canada has once again volunteered to host the IFAJ congress in 2023 in Calgary.

Today, the IFAJ is a vibrant organization of 5,000 professionals from 50-member countries from around the world and agricultural journalists and communicators around the world have benefitted from IFAJ initiatives Owen helped establish. These include the popular IFAJ Alltech Young Leaders program that recognizes leadership potential in young journalists by bringing them together for two days of training in advance of the annual congress, and the IFAJ Corteva Master Class initiative that offers training for journalists from non-IFAJ member countries.

Outside of CFWF and IFAJ, Owen is adjunct professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences and Director of Research Communications at the University of Guelph. As well, he serves as editor of the University’s research magazine. Owen created the popular student-research writing program, Students Promoting Awareness in Research Knowledge (SPARK), which has been running for over 25 years. Many of Owen’s former students are active in journalism, communications and marketing in Ontario and beyond. Owen holds a Bachelor of Arts (communications) from the University of Windsor, a Master of Science (rural extension studies) from the University of Guelph and an Ed.D. in agricultural education and communications from Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University.

Owen’s decades-long commitment to the profession of agricultural journalism, to Canadian farm writers and to the IFAJ have made a difference in the careers of many agricultural writers and communicators in Canada and around the globe.

Gold, silver and bronze awards were presented in 14 categories at the banquet held at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. The banquet concluded the three-day conference, which included various agri-food tours and professional development sessions. A total of 52 awards were presented with winners taking home cheques of $300, $200 and $100 for gold, silver and bronze respectively.

Winners were chosen by 28 judges from across Canada, the United States and Australia. These judges included journalists, photographers, professors, farmers and communicators from different media and publications, and a mix of agricultural and non-agricultural backgrounds.

CFWF (www.cfwf.ca) represents almost 350 English-speaking agricultural journalists, broadcasters and

communicators from across Canada through six regional associations in Atlantic Canada, Eastern Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The links to the winning entries will be posted for viewing shortly and the award winners, sponsors and judges for 2018 are listed in the Press Release which is available for download in the Press Release section of the CFWF website. 

Join your fellow international farm writers at the 62nd IFAJ Congress in the Food Valley of Wageningen, Netherlands, July 10-15, 2018. This year’s International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) congress will be hosted by the Dutch Association for Agricultural and Horticultural Journalism (NLVJ).

Thanks to the continuing support of Monsanto Canada, we are pleased to offer the CFWF International Bursary. The bursary enables a valuable international experience for one Canadian agriculture journalist or communicator. The prize of up to $2,500 will reimburse a member-in-good-standing for costs incurred to attend the 2018 IFAJ congress.

Themed “Dutch Roots: Small country, big solutions,” this year’s congress will be a comprehensive look at Dutch agri-food systems, including dairy, beef, pigs, horticulture, arable farming, vegetable and ornamental production. Congress organizers will give participants a glimpse into smart farming, the urban delta and the circular economy.
To learn more about this, visit http://www.dutchroots.info/congress

This year’s congress marks the first time in 15 years that The Netherlands has hosted the IFAJ and is a can’t miss opportunity for Canadian agri-journalists and communicators to experience.

It’s easy to apply:
Please read the bursary information found on the CFWFwebsite and fill out the application form here. 
Applications will be accepted until 6 p.m. EST, Feb. 16, 2018.  
The international bursary program is administered by the CFWF Vice President. Applications will be judged by an eastern and a western CFWF senator plus one member-at-large. The decision of the committee is final.

The winner will be notified on or before March 2, 2018, which should give sufficient time to register for the congress.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions:
Trevor Bacque
CFWF Vice-President
trevorbacque@gmail.com

(Ormstown, Quebec) Agricultural reporter Alexis Kienlen has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation (CFWF) International Bursary, sponsored by Monsanto.

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.

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For more information:

Trevor Bacque

Vice-president, CFWF

tbacque@grainswest.com

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.

John Morriss, Associate Publisher of Farm Business Communications, and Janet Kanters, Editor at Top Crop Manager and President of Trapper Enterprises, are the first recipients of this new award celebrating lifetime achievement by honouring long-serving members who have made outstanding contributions to the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation and to the agricultural communications or media industries. A short biography of the two recipients is attached.

Recipients of the CFWF Lifetime Achievement Award in Agricultural Journalism & Communications must have made a contribution of outstanding and lasting importance to the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation. This new award recognizes an accumulation of years of service and exemplary leadership at both the national and international levels, as well as significant contributions to agricultural journalism or communications.

CFWF (www.cfwf.ca) represents almost 350 English-speaking agricultural journalists, broadcasters and

communicators from across Canada through six regional associations in Atlantic Canada, Eastern Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

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For more information, contact:

Hugh Maynard

2015 CFWF Awards Chair

secretariat@cfwf.ca

CFWF 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

John Morriss                                                                          

Associate Publisher

Farm Business Communications

Although he trained as a race car driver, John Morriss opted for a career that promised even more excitement — writing about agriculture. Over the past four decades, he has witnessed a remarkable transformation of Prairie agriculture and played a significant role chronicling the change.

John started out as a researcher with the Biomass Energy Institute in Winnipeg. In 1975, he moved to the Canada Grains Council to manage a travelling display for the Justice Emmett Hall commission on grain handling and transportation. He then worked as a freelance agricultural writer, serving as field editor for Grainews and writing for other farm publications. In 1989, he was appointed publisher and editor of the Manitoba Co-operator. In March 2002, John and six former Co-operator colleagues started the Farmers’ Independent Weekly, a new publication for Manitoba farmers. In February 2007, the FIW merged with the Manitoba Co-operator under its new owner, Glacier Ventures, the owner of Farm Business Communications (FBC). All staff returned to the Co-operator or to new roles with FBC.

John is now associate publisher and editorial director of FBC, Canada’s largest agricultural publishing group, which produces Canadian Cattlemen, Country Guide, Grainews, Canola Guide, Alberta Farmer Express, and the Manitoba Co-operator.

Among John’s writing awards was the Canadian Farm Writers Federation Gold Award in 1996 for best feature for a series on food aid projects in Ethiopia and Eritrea. In 2006, he received the Agri-Marketer of the year award from the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association. He is a past-president of the Canadian Farm Writers Federation (CFWF), and a former director with CFWF and Farm Radio International, which delivers extension information to farmers in Africa.

John has been active in the provincial and national associations representing Canadian farm writers for most of his career, undertaking numerous roles himself and making it possible for junior employees to participate.

Janet Kanters                                                                         

Editor, Top Crop Manager

President, Trapper Enterprises

A graduate of Mount Royal University with a degree in journalism, Janet has held journalist and editor positions at publications like Top Crop Manager and Alberta Farmer Express, operated stakeholder communications at the Beef Information Centre and managed accounts at 31st Line Strategic Communications all while  holding the position of president of Trapper Enterprises, her freelance writing and communications business.

Her experience in the agricultural communications and journalism industry is solid. She’s one of the few in the country to work as staff and freelance, both in journalism and communications. This agility gives her an unparalleled understanding of the CFWF membership. Always enthusiastic for professional development, Janet was the driving force behind the Alberta Farm Writers Association for over 20 years.

At the international level, Janet was one of CFWF’s prime representatives for several years, and encouraged CFWF to adopt a more formalized approach of representation at the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. Janet was also one of the main drivers who first brought home the proposal of CFWF hosting an international farm writer conference – an idea which bloomed into the 2011 Canadian congress and, in many ways, put Canada on the map within IFAJ. The lasting financial success of the congress has had a major impact on CFWF and led to the creation of the Professional Development Fund.

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.”

CFWF would like to thank Monsanto for continuing to support this bursary. We would also like to thank the 2015 judging panel: Owen Roberts, John Morriss and Tamara Leigh.