NAAJ News Winners - 2023
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: 43
Judge: Neil Brown is an assistant professor at the Virginia State University College of Agriculture, and also a researcher and instructor at the Pennsylvania State University. He also conducts research for the UrbanKind Institute. He has a Ph.D. in animal science and a background in sustainability science.
Comments about the competition: Overall, I really like the variety and range of categories in this contest. That being said, within the news category I struggled a bit with identifying the most appropriate audience. Having articles published in smaller, regional papers competing against articles published in nationally recognized spaces seemed one sided. I am not suggesting that the regional articles were not as good, just that they may have been written for a more specific audience. Overall, I really enjoyed reading the articles and being a part of this process.
FIRST PLACE — Bart Pfankuch, South Dakota News Watch
Fraud and weak USDA oversight chip away at integrity of organic food industry – 8/3/2022
— (Sidebar) Fraudulent farmers live lavishly until caught
Judge’s comments: I enjoyed the conversational, easy-to-read style that the author maintained throughout both articles. I saw no evidence that the author assumed prior knowledge of the reader but was intentional in informing the reader about the issue and used relevant examples to demonstrate how current agricultural systems function to provide context to the issue of focus, as it continues to emerge. The author was able to hold my attention with a topic that transcends local geography but grounded the issue in personal stories that still made the topic relatable.
SECOND PLACE — Clarisa Diaz, Quartz
Farmers want the right to jailbreak their John Deere Tractors – 8/25/2022
Judge’s comments: I think anyone who has ever had to wait at home for a whole afternoon for a service, whether installation of cable, repair of a washing machine or reading a meter, should be able to relate to the frustrations of farmers that are being highlighted in this article. I really liked the “to the point” brief almost synopsis-like approach of the author, including only the most relevant information. I thought this was a great example of “less is more” and the author seemed to be able to engage a broad audience (including those who may have never driven a tractor).
THIRD PLACE — Sierra McClain, Capital Press
A many-headed monster: Illegal marijuana’s devastating impacts on agriculture — 1/27/2022
Judge’s comments: This article addressed resource allocation, varied social and entrepreneurial perspectives on marijuana in a narrative around natural resource conflicts and threats to agricultural productivity – all very interesting as an agricultural issue. I enjoyed the depth and layers that the author continued to unveil as the reader got further and further into the article.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
— Aaron Viner, Iowa Farmer Today
Tenant talk: Land availability and affordability challenge some young farmers – 1/14/2022
Judge’s comments: “Land” is almost synonymous with agriculture, and with the continued movement of people from rural to urban spaces, changes in consumer demand and preferences and increase in technological solutions I think this article was very timely. Although there was room to be more specific regarding the "youth" perspective and implications of land affordability and availability, the author focused on a topic that can sometimes be forgotten about outside of the agricultural community and gave it some relevant context.
— Lisa Held, Civil Eats
From Farmland to Frac Sand: In the Midwest, fertile soil is being excavated in pursuit of fossil fuels, while communities suffer — 7/19/2022
Judge’s comments: There were a number of pieces of data brought forth in this article to highlight how vulnerable and exposed agriculture and the varied threats that those who anchor agriculture have to face. While the story of “long term sacrifice for short term gain” was familiar, this specific framing around fracking was new and really interesting to me. I thought the author did a great job in providing useful details on the issue and going beyond the familiar narrative.
— Tim Hearden, Farm Progress
Rise in partisanship complicates farm bill: With red areas redder and blue areas bluer, finding compromise will be more difficult, political pros say — 11/10/2022
Judge’s comments: I was most impressed by the tone and "matter of fact" writing style that the author used to communicate a topic that could be evoke significant emotion from some readers. The article seemed unbiased and stated the topic plainly and clearly which I think was ideal for the topic and ideal for engaging a cross-section of readers.