NAAJ News Winners - 2022
Category description: Entries in this category inform readers about a timely, important, interesting agricultural issue or event in an objective, thorough manner. One story or package of stories (sidebars or secondary stories) published together on a single day is a single entry in this category.
Number of entries: 51
Comments about the competition: Enjoyed it. Boy, was I glad I wasn’t competing! These journalists are exceptional communicators who know how to dig deep for facts.
— Judge: John Vogel — Retired editor, American Agriculturist/Farm Progress. NAAJ president, 2013.
FIRST PLACE — Joel Reichenberger, DTN/Progressive Farmer
Kansas Fires Leave Ash, Pain at Ranches — 12/23/2021
Judge’s comments: This entry was written on the heels of the scorching wildfires sweeping four Kansas counties. Vividly descriptive interviews with ranchers with burned-out homesteads and torched cattle kept readers riveted to the end.
SECOND PLACE — Carey Gillam, The Guardian
‘There’s a red flag here’: How an ethanol plant is dangerously polluting a US village — 1/10/2021
Judge’s comments: Reporter’s persistence resulted in a breaking environmental story that raised national concern over disposal of left-over pesticide-coated seed. Descriptive lead-in cited an innovative pesticide recycling effort gone wrong.
THIRD PLACE — Emily Unglesbee, DTN/Progressive Farmer
Ag Chem Supplies: Four Things to Know Heading Into 2022 – 9/22/2021
Judge’s comments: A forward-looking entry on today's No. 1 ag concern: 2022 fertilizer and herbicide availability and price. Multi-sourced overview of most-affected fertilizer and herbicide products. Written far enough ahead to help farmers begin planning. Might have been strengthened with a farmer lead-in.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
— Emily Unglesbee, DTN/Progressive Farmer
Seed Treatment Overload: The Unintended Consequences of a Popular Practice – 7/14/2021
Judge’s comments: Excellent producer lead-in and smooth transition to seed treatment benefits and on into emerging seed treatment issues. Closed with a look-ahead at how U.S. EPA might address it.
— Victoria Myers, Progressive Farmer
Cybercrime Takes Aim at America’s Food Supply — October 2021
Judge’s comments: Writer developed a tremendous package of info, working around numerous sources that feared being targeted. Addressed federal concerns over U.S. ag supply chain risks. Included a useful sidebar on how the primary audience could reduce hacking risks.
— Gil Gullickson, Successful Farming
Dicamba’s Dilemma: Great weed control results, but volatility still plagues controversial herbicide — November 2021
Judge’s comments: Using multiple sources, the writer broke down the very complex environmental concerns involving various Dicamba herbicide formulations. Explained the dilemma for farmers, seed industry and the U.S. EPA.