March 2010 E-ByLine on the Web

The March 2010 issue of The ByLine is now available on-line. If you did not receive an e-mail with the newsletter's Web address, click on The ByLine at left, which will direct you to the newsletter. Also, send an e-mail to AAEA@gardnerandgardnercommunications.com to let us know you did not receive the e-mail alert.
 

 
Call for Entries:
2010 AAEA Award Program
Entry Forms Now Available

(And now you can pay online.)

The entry forms for the 2010 AAEA Writing, Design, Photography and MarComm Award Programs are online and ready in our Awards section. The deadline for the first three is April 15 (postmarked and paid by); for MarComm only the deadline is April 30 (postmarked and paid by).

There are several changes this year, including exciting new categories in MarComm, Writing and Design. See a preview of changes for each program on their respective introductory pages.

The biggest news for 2010: Now you can pay entry fees online!

By popular demand, AAEA is now set up to accept online payment for AAEA Writing, Design, Photography and MarComm Award Program entries. You may pay with Visa or MasterCard, and if you are entering more than one program, you can pay for all entries at one time. You will receive an email receipt with a confirmation number to include on your entry forms and inventories.

Nominations Due for Other Awards Too
Nominations for the AAEA Distinguished Service Award and Andy Markwart Horizon Award are due April 30. Learn more about these two important programs by clicking on the links.

Starting this year, you can nominate yourself or another AAEA member to receive the AAEA Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is designed to honor current and former members of the organization, including those who may be deceased, for outstanding professional and personal achievements and leadership, with specific emphasis on contributions toward improvement of the viability and value of AAEA. Nominations are due April 15


Photo Workshop Kicks Off AMS This Summer

 
A two-day photography workshop will be held on July 24-25, 2010, prior to the Agricultural Media Summit (AMS) in St. Paul, Minn. We're building an intense learning session that will give attendees instruction from professional photographers in real-world shooting environments. And because we're teaming up the workshop as a kickoff to the AMS, we are offering this impressive program at a tremendous value.
 
The workshop starts with a general roundtable discussion on Friday evening, July 23. Saturday and Sunday, July 24-25, will be two full days of hands-on training, in-field photography, group review sessions and expert feedback. We'll wrap up Sunday evening, in time for the AMS welcome reception!
 
Cost for the two-day session is $200 ($300 for those not attending AMS), and you will be responsible for lodging and dinner Saturday night.
 
Most important is that SPACE IS STRICTLY LIMITED, and we will close registration on May 3. Reserve your space by contacting dianej@flash.net. Additional details will be provided this spring.
 

 
AAEA Photography Webinar Available

If you missed the recent Photography Webinar on "Making an old subject new," you can still access it for a limited time. Jim Patrico moderated the Webinar, while Tom Dodge and David Lundquist presented their insights based on years of outstanding photographic results.

Viewing/listening to the recorded Webinar is free for AAEA members, $50 for non-members. Click here to register for the Webinar ­ you will then receive log-in instructions. If you have questions, please contact Linda Smith, Member Services chair, at lsmith@farmjournal.com or 215-886-2238, or Kenna Rathai, AAEA, at kenna.rathai@kbrcommunications.com or 815-422-0321.

 

 
AAEA Member Reception at Commodity Classic

You are invited to an AAEA Member Appreciation Reception
during Commodity Classic 2010 in Anaheim, Calif.

When: Friday, March 5, 2010
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, Room 201A
Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m.

We encourage you to bring a prospective member/guest to the reception. Whether or not you plan to attend, please RSVP to Den Gardner or Barb Ulschmid at 952-758-6502 or email to aaea@gardnerandgardnercommunications.com. Hope to see you in Anaheim!

 

 
Mark your calendar!

The 2010 AMS is July 24-28 in St. Paul, MN. More details here.


 
American Agricultural Editors' Association (AAEA) Summer Intern Program

AAEA is now accepting applications from students for the Summer Intern Program for 2010. One college student in agricultural communications with interest in farm reporting will have the great experience of working in the agricultural communications field with an AAEA member. The host company is Farm Industry News.

One of the great bonuses of the AAEA internship is that it includes travel expenses, hotel accommodations and registration fees to attend the Agricultural Media Summit (AMS) in St. Paul, Minn., July 24-28. There, the intern can meet and mingle with hundreds of farm media professionals from AAEA and other organizations.

The intern earns a stipend, $4,500 for approximately 10 weeks, and another $1,000 to cover costs of attending AMS thanks to a grant from the AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation and from additional sponsorship from Alpharma. Travel to and from the magazine's location and for living expenses during the internship are not included.

Application deadline is February 19, 2010.

Any questions may be directed to:
Mindy Williamson, AAEA Future Ag Communicators Committee
515-225-9242
mwilliamson@iowacorn.org

Download application form here.


 
AAEA Announces 2009 Awards Program Winners

The winners of the AAEA Writing, Design, Photography and MarComm Awards Program were announced during the Agricultural Media Summit in Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 4, 2009. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to our sponsors! Click here for the awards ceremony program, which includes a complete list of winners and sponsors. Congratulations to Urban Lehner, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, who took home the title of Writer of the Year, and Jim Patrico, DTN/The Progressive Farmer, who was honored as Photographer of the Year.

The following individuals achieved Master Writer status this year: Crystal Albers, Angus Journal; Sherry Collins, Swirlwind Media; Susan Davis, Davis Communications; Urban Lehner, DTN/The Progressive Farmer; and Greg Vincent, Top Producer. Greg Lamp, The Corn & Soybean Digest, achieved the status of Master Photographer. Look for an upcoming issue of The ByLine to include an explanation of how the Master Writer and Photographer programs work.


 
Joy Carter Named 2009 Andy Markwart Horizon Award Winner

This year's winner matches Andy's editorial motivation and passion. Joy, director of communications for the George Peanut Commission, is committed to serving others and giving back to organizations that have helped her grow. She gives back to FFA though her volunteer work with the FFA Alumni, and serves as president of the Georgia FFA Alumni Association. She plans to run for president of the National FFA Alumni Association this fall. Joy recently completed her master's degree in Agricultural Leadership with the University of Georgia. Joy currently serves as co-chair of the Affliate Advisory Committee for AAEA. She receives a $2,500 stipend for professional development, which is provided as a matching grant from the AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation and John Deere.


 
AAEA Scholarship Winners Announced

The AAEA/ACT scholarship program is a joint effort of AAEA and the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. The 2009-2010 recipients are Gretchen Ettredge, Tarleton State University; Jeralyn Stephens, Tarleton State University; and Julie White, Kansas State University. Rachel Duff, University of Missouri, received the Memorial Scholarship, which is in honor of Gene Johnston's wife, Jan, and Ken Gardner, Den Gardner's father.


 
 
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS MAY
NOW BE COMPLETED ON-LINE
 
Membership renewals may now be completed on-line using a credit card. Just go to the Members Area and click on Membership Renewal. Thanks for being patient!
--The AAEA Staff
 

 
Professional Improvement Foundation

The AAEA Professional Improvement Foundation is a non-profit foundation organized to fund professional improvement programs to persons in the field of agricultural communications.

The Foundation's goal is to support and promote the agricultural communications community, to finance awards for outstanding writing and graphic arts in the field of agricultural communications, and to make scholarships and support internships and training for editors, writers and photographers in the field of agricultural communications.

For more details on the Foundation, as well as details on making a contribution or applying for a grant, click here.


 
IFAJ welcomes you!
 
The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) is a non-political, professional association for agricultural journalists in 29 countries. IFAJ supports and encourages the practice of agricultural journalism in countries embracing freedom of the press. For more information click here.