Recently our publisher Holly Martin delivered awards to staff of the Journal who competed in the American Agricultural Editors Association and Livestock Publications Council contests. Awards were presented at the Ag Media Summit, Aug. 4 to 8 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
When Holly brought mine, she made the comment, "at least if it was going to be the worst day of your life, at least it’s brought you some awards." I had to laugh because it has. My post, "The worst day of my life" has been one of the most viewed on my blog and the Journal website. The entry was also read on the senate floor by Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas following the March 6, 2017 fire. The post won the single blog post category in the LPC contest at Ag Media Summit recently. My blog also won first in the best overall blog for LPC. In the AAEA contest, my blog was second over all. In 2017 it won the same category, Blogs, Publishing.
Now, these contests encompass some of the best writers, photographers, bloggers and people in agricultural media. I really don’t like to toot my own horn, but I believe the editorial staff here at the Journal and our loyal readers—both online and in print—are partly to thank for all of our awards. I often find inspiration for my blog posts from things going on around me. Whether it’s a meeting I’m attending or traveling to or from. I try to get my thoughts out there to someone who might be just like me.
Congrats to my coworkers on all their awards! Here’s a rundown of what was won.
AAEA:
2nd Place Blog: Kylene Scott
1st level of Master Writer: Amy Bickel
LPC:
Honorable Mention: Heather Noll, Seedstock issue.
1st Place: Technical Article: Jenni Latzke, Fitbits in feedlot of the future.
2nd Place: Feature/Human Interest: Jenni Latzke, Mental health: The next farm crisis in America.
1st Place: News Story: Bill Spiegel, Wildfires take an emotional toll.
2nd Place: Regular Column: Jenni Latzke, Common Ground.
2nd Place: In-depth Reporting: Coverage of the Starbuck Fire, Bill Spiegel, Kylene Scott, Doug Rich, Larry Dreiling, Jennifer Carrico and Jenni Latzke.
2nd Place: Commentary or Essay: Bill Spiegel, Without civil discourse, the chickens come home to roost.
Honorable Mention: Commentary or Essay: Jennifer Carrico, Livestock showing teaches life lessons.
1st Place: Single Blog Post: Kylene Scott, The worst day of my life.
1st Place: Best Overall Blog: Kylene Scott.
