Agricultural Communicators Network

08/25/2026

From Air Force firefighter to machinery editor, Andy Castillo took the long way into ag communications, and it shows in his work. The Farm Progress editor received the Andy Markwart Horizon Award and was named a 2026 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leader. Get to know him: https://agcommnetwork.com/meet-a-member-andy-castillo/

08/20/2026

"I expected to gain a mentor; I never expected to gain one of my closest friends." Hailey Gilbreath and Lydia Hill were one of 11 pairs in the first year of the ACN Student Mentorship Program. Their story is worth your time, and we're looking for mentors for 2027.

By Hailey Gilbreath and Lydia Hill, 2026 ACN Student Mentorship Program participants As a benefit to Ag Communicators Network student members,...

08/18/2026

Save the date: the ACN Fall Regional Workshop is Nov. 17 in Kansas City.

The theme is "More action, less distraction."

Expect panel discussions, learning sessions and dedicated networking time. The workshop is scheduled to align with the NAFB convention, so plan to extend your trip.
Details and registration: https://agcommnetwork.com/event/spring-2026-regional-meeting/

08/17/2026

ACN's highest honors went to three remarkable careers this year.

-Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award: Dr. Albert Culbreath, University of Georgia. https://youtu.be/TWDn5iS_uaQ?si=bhEa2BPLKUtWxoBb

- Lifetime Achievement Award: Den Gardner, Gardner & Gardner Communications, https://youtu.be/SYfGxeaDYZs?si=vhj4blBvwCDjEhit and Pamela Smith, DTN/Progressive Farmer. https://youtu.be/yepsHrCu3Zg?si=gCWRH672xmOhJQBV

"In Den, Pamela and Dr. Albert Culbreath, we see everything our profession stands for," said Joy Crosby, ACN past president. Read more in this issue of The Byline: https://agcommnetwork.com/acns-highest-honors-presented-to-den-gardner-pamela-smith-and-dr-albert-culbreath/

08/13/2026

ACN members are IFAJ members. Apply today for five days in the country of Georgia — traditional farming systems, today's commercial agriculture, agri-food innovation, gastronomy and rural development. About 10 IFAJ journalists will be selected. Accommodations, meals and local transportation are covered. Apply by Aug. 24: https://www.ifaj.org/roots-and-innovation-georgian-agriculture-and-gastronomy/48385/

08/13/2026

📬 The latest issue of the ACN Byline landed in your inbox this week!

Inside: 2026-2027 ACN and PIF board members, a full wrap-up of the 2026 Communications Awards, a Meet a Member with Andy Castillo, this year's scholarship recipients, details on our Nov. 17 Kansas City workshop and two international tour opportunities with deadlines coming fast.

Give it a read!

08/12/2026

ACN members - you qualify to apply for this. As ACN members, you are also members of IFAJ. Deadline to apply is August 14! This opportunity will occur Oct. 18-26 and learn about Costa Rica's dairy, cacao, pineapple, palm oil and coffee farms — plus its main Atlantic port. Thanks to CropLife International, participants pay only a small fee and travel to San Jose. Learn more at https://www.ifaj.org/our-programmes/exposure-4-development/

08/06/2026

📣 Good news — there's an extra chance to apply for the 2026 IFAJ Exposure-4-Development trip to Costa Rica! Application deadline is extended and due August 14.

From October 18–26, 2026, twelve IFAJ journalists will explore how Costa Rica balances its reputation as a pristine wilderness with its role as a producer of tropical crops.

The week-long tour is planned to include visits to dairy, cacao, pineapple, palm oil and coffee farms, plus Costa Rica's main Atlantic port. Participants will also meet with officials and experts working in agricultural policy, trade, environmental issues and pest management.

Thanks to a generous grant from CropLife International, selected participants will pay only a small participation fee of approximately €400, plus travel costs to San José.

Journalists from IFAJ member guilds in good standing are invited to apply. Past E-4-D tours have visited Thailand, Brazil, China, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and more — you can read coverage from the Thailand and Brazil trips on the IFAJ website.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience Costa Rican agriculture firsthand.

👉 Apply here: https://www.ifaj.org/our-programmes/exposure-4-development/

07/30/2026

ACN members — here's an interesting opportunity. 🇬🇪

The Georgian Association of Agricultural Journalists is inviting IFAJ members to apply for a five-day study tour of Georgian agriculture, Oct. 26-30, 2026. About 10 journalists worldwide will be selected.

WHAT YOU'LL SEE
Traditional farming systems, modern commercial ag, agri-food innovation, gastronomy and rural development — plus meetings with farmers, agribusiness leaders, researchers and policymakers.

WHAT'S COVERED
✅ Accommodation
✅ Meals
✅ Airport transfers
✅ Local transportation
✅ All organized visits and activities

NOT COVERED
❌ International airfare
❌ Personal expenses
❌ Travel insurance

WHO CAN APPLY
Active agricultural or gastronomy journalists who are members in good standing of an IFAJ-affiliated association — that includes ACN — and who commit to producing coverage of the tour.

⏰ Applications close Aug. 24, 2026. Notifications go out by Aug. 31. Apply here: https://ifaj.fillout.com/t/1APrZBEAhpus

07/29/2026

Congratulations to the newly elected officers and board members of the Agricultural Communicators Network and our Professional Improvement Foundation! 🌾

These leaders stepped into their roles during the ACN Annual Business Meeting at the 2026 Agricultural Media Summit, July 19–21, in St. Louis.

ACN BOD:
-Joel Reichenberger, DTN/Progressive Farmer, president
-Betty Haynes, Midwestern Lens, president-elect
-Joy Crosby, Georgia Peanut Commission/Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Newly elected to the ACN Board of Directors are Clint White, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, who fills an unexpired term ending in 2027, and Mary Kendall Dixon, Informed Ag, and Jennifer Latzke, Farm Progress, to terms expiring in 2029.

Continuing directors: Courtney Girgis, Rooted Communications; Jenny Ring, Precision Planting; Chelsea Dinterman, Successful Farming; Katie Knapp, The Ag Photographer; and Ryan Tipps, AgDaily.

Retiring directors: Wyatt Bechtel, Bechtel Media; Pam Caraway, Farm Progress; and Rachael Davis, Noble Research Institute.

ACN PIF Board of Trustees
-Katie Dehlinger, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, chair
-Jennifer Shike, Farm Journal’s PORK, vice chair
-Holly Spangler, Farm Progress, secretary/treasurer

Newly elected to the ACN PIF Board of Trustees are Greg Hillyer, Progressive Farmer; Harlan Persinger, Hensphotos; and Mike Wilson, Farm Progress.

Continuing trustees: Emily Unglesbee, Virginia Tech; Jennifer Warren, Caprock Strategies; Jennifer Carrico, DTN/The Progressive Farmer; Jamie Cole, Red Barn Media Group; and Miranda Reiman, Angus Media.

Retiring trustees: Lyle Orwig, Certified Ag Dealer; Gil Gullickson, Wallaces Farmer; and Bill Spiegel, The Furrow.

Thank you to the retiring trustees and board members. Your time, talent and dedication have strengthened these organizations in lasting ways!