NEWS

Judged by Charlie Weaver

1ST – Jonathan Knutson, Agweek – “A long, wet ag disaster”

Judge: I loved the narrative lede, it really foreshadows and personalizes the issue nicely. I particularly liked the construction of the overall narrative where you take the reader almost through the stages of the “grieving process” the individuals effected by the lake were facing. I was, however, still left wanting in regards to what the state planned on doing about the issue — which does well to punctuate the end of the story and reinforce the hopelessness the community members are feeling.

2ND – Mikkel Pates. Agweek – “Whistle-blower?”

Judge: The balance of this piece was well done and thoroughly reported. I appreciated the additional sidebars that tied the whole story together and painted a very insightful picture of all involved. I didn’t find myself choosing sides while reading — which, in my opinion is the cornerstone of great investigative journalism.

3RD – Jim Patrico, DTN/The Progressive Farmer – “Extension: Still relevant?”

Judge: The historical lede is very effective and the nut graph kicks off a very interesting and thorough story about the symbiotic relationship between all of the agencies involved in extension and its management. Mapping out the overlaps really gives the reader the understanding that the issue doesn’t necessarily have a cut-and-dried solution.

HONORABLE MENTION:

• David Hendee, Omaha World-Herald — “Deaths increase care taken with prescribed burns”
• Todd Neeley, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Pulp, paper companies amend tax returns: Actions could cost taxpayers billions of dollars”
• Mikkel Pates, Agweek — “The push: Did U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service push South Dakota farmer too hard?””
• Lori Potter, Kearney Hub — “Ag leaders say proposed federal child labor rules not a good fit for farms, ranches”
• Christine Stebbins, Thomson Reuters — “Crop scientists now fret about heat not just water”

SPOT NEWS

Judged by Bill Felber, Executive editor of the Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury

Felber is a native of Chicago’s South Side, he graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in journalism and has worked in that field for more than three decades. He is a former member of the board of directors of Associated Press Managing Editors. A baseball historian and researcher, he has authored studies for Total Baseball and other publications on numerous on-field and off-field aspects of the game. He has judged the NAAJ contest in past years.

1ST – Victoria Myers, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Wildfires take out forages and animals”

2ND – Tom Polansek, Thomson Reuters — “MF Global sells exchange seat, cuts ties to grains’’

3RD – Ron Friesen, Manitoba Co-operator — “Mass evacuation for cattle near Lake Manatoba’’

HONORABLE MENTION:

• Jerry Hagstrom, The Hagstrom Report — “Super Committee failure means uniform cuts as Congress fights over new farm bill”
• Dan Miller – DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Hula wins yield contest’’

FEATURES

Judged by George Edmonson

Edmonson retired from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2005 after nearly 35 years as a reporter and editor at newspapers across the country. In addition to judging the occasional journalism contest, he writes periodically for a couple of cigar Web sites. He lives in Tarpon Springs, Fla.

“This category was as difficult to judge as any I’ve ever encountered. The wealth of good stories, well told and well reported, is a testament to the high quality work being done in this field.

“These reporters are storytellers with an eye for the telling detail and revealing scene that make their pieces come alive. The subject range was enormous. I read about high-tech developments and old-fashioned ways, corporate farming and urban gardening, environmental fear and complaints about over-regulation. And much, much more.

“No one could read these stories and fail to be impressed.”

1ST – Jim Patrico, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Animal lovers”

“This story is just what a feature should be: a compelling read that informs, enlightens and entertains the reader. Focusing on a single farm family, the story explores many issues with subtlety and wit. Excellent work.”

2ND – Nate Seltenrich, East Bay Express (Oakland, Calif.) — “How safe is your soil?’’

“A textbook example of extraordinarily deep reporting and clear explanatory writing wrapped with a finely crafted human element. This story examines not only the problem but possible solutions as well.”

3RD (tie)

- Jack Kaskey, Bloomberg Businessweek — “Attack of the superweed’’

“A fascinating story written tightly with a sense of authority grounded in strong reporting. It covers all the angles and explains a complex issue with clarity and economy.”

AND

- David Hendee, Omaha World-Herald — “Eco-tourism could turn into a cash crop’’

“Coverage of this workshop could have been a brief, but is instead a terrific story brought to life with on-scene reporting and insightful context. Another fine example of agricultural reporting that isn’t limited to the fields and farms.”

HONORABLE MENTION:

• Mary Baxter, Better Farming – “Lyme disease: The painful and hard-to-diagnose infection”
• Amy Bickel, Hutchinson (Kan.) News – “Population drain dazes rural areas’’
• Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Drought challenges assumptions”
• William DeKay, The Western Producer — “Whip-cracking cowboy works herd, entertains”
• Barb Glen, The Western Producer — “Saving wildlife habitat”

SERIES

Judged by Sue Burzynski Bullard

1ST – Katie Micik, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Farming on the border”

Judge:  Farming on the Border” details how waves of illegal immigrants affect farmers and ranchers on the U.S. border with Mexico.  The stories put readers alongside landowners, who say the nature of foot traffic has changed to include armed smugglers bringing drugs and migrants across the border. The writer paints vivid detail. One rancher estimates 20 percent of his time is spent tending to border-traffic issues – including cut fences and broken water pipes. Whatever your view on U.S. immigration policy, this series, “Farming on the Border” takes readers to ground zero.

2ND – Mikkel Pates, Agweek – “Rick’s world: Upside down dairy still looks ahead”

Judge: “Rick’s World” dissects controversy surrounding a number of dairy-farm partnerships across three states.  Some 13,000 cows were involved in the deals. Subsequent bankruptcies spawned critics and inquiries. One farming couple said their part of the deal cost them $1.2 million, setting them back 10 years financially.  Was it bad timing in a tough economy, mismanagement, or what? “Rick’s World” digs up details to help readers make up their minds — including an extensive time line showing when deals developed and, in some cases, soured.

3RD – Elizabeth Williams and Marcia Zarley Taylor DTN/The Progressive Farmer – “Senior Partners’’

Judge: Two sure things are death and taxes. You can’t avoid the former. But you can do plenty to legally pay less tax and make things go smoothly as you pass the family farm to the next generation, reports “Senior Partners.”  Some 97 percent of family businesses fail to keep family and business together for more than three generations, says the series.  Well-written stories go deep into ways to organize orderly transitions.

HONORABLE MENTION:

• Elizabeth Campbell, Jeff Wilson, Justin Doom, Debarati Roy, Joseph Richter, Whitney McFerron, all of  Bloomberg News — “Hay sent to China cheaper roiling U.S. dairies”
• Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Grounding Climate Science”
• Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Drought Challenges Assumptions”
• Phyllis Griekspoor and Rhonda McCurry, Kansas Farmer — “Taking Care of Kansans”
• Katie Micik, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Changing Face of Ag Women”

COLUMN/ANALYSIS

Judged by Mike Toner

1ST – Gil Gullickson, Successful Farming — “$1.123 billion…”

Judge: “At a time when it’s popular to knock public spending on almost any research as wasteful, it’s reassuring to see a writer point out that popular perceptions aren’t always founded in fact. This insightful, succinct analysis provides a refreshing “au contraire” on a federal-state program in South Dakota that has produced big returns.”

2ND – Carey Gillam, Thomson Reuters — “Super weeds pose growing threat to U.S. crops’’

Judge: “A decade of benefits from genetically engineered crops capable of tolerating glyphosate herbicides has, as predicted, produced a generation of weeds that are resistant to them too. In two thoughtful pages, this analysis explains the current dilemma and casts an eye to the future and farmers’ never ending war with weeds.”

3RD – Karl Plume, Thomson Reuters — “US corn export dominance to bend, not break’’

Judge: “As U.S. corn growers scramble to meet the growing demand for ethanol, we’re still learning about the unintended consequences of  programs promoting crop-based fuels. This analysis makes it disturbingly clear that, amid growing domestic demand and international competition, U.S. exports of corn are one of the casualties.”

HONORABLE MENTION:

• Phyllis Griekspoor,  Kansas Farmer –  “Would you trade your GPS for a cell phone signal?”  Judge: “A clear-headed look at what promises to be another Faustian bargain – the looming conflict between a new way of delivering broadband services to rural areas and the time-honored benefits of the global positioning system.”
• Urban Lehner,   DTN/The Progressive Farmer –  “Want fries with that regulation?”  Judge: “A delightful tongue-in-cheek commentary on the dubious merits of making school lunches conform to current nutritional guidelines. Once-a week French fries, sure. But don’t throw out the peas, lima beans and corn.”

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Judged by Louise Seals

Judge’s remarks about the category: “The projects entered in this category present a body of work commendable for its breadth of topics, depth of reporting and research, and excellent explanatory writing. No topic seemed too complex or daunting, and I applaud the reporters and their editors for their willingness to devote the resources to tackle these projects and to tell them well. These are excellent examples of what journalists do better than anyone else: research, synthesize and then tell the story. Judging this category was a pleasure.”

1ST -Gregg Hillyer, Tom Dodge, Susan K. Davis and Charles Johnson DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Unlock the secrets of soil”

Judge: “Outstanding science writing with everyday applications to the livelihoods of the publication’s audience. I kept coming back to this package and finding another gem of a sentence or example, such as: ‘Soil pits shed new light on the mysteries of the underground.’ Or this: ‘Scientists using new DNA techniques are identifying previously undiscovered microbes almost daily. Figuring out what they do is not so easy.’ The writer had made it easy, though, for readers to understand how the discoveries could affect their farming and finances by reporting numerous examples, opinions and hypotheses to make the issues clear.”

2ND – Gregg Hillyer, Charles Johnson, Barb Baylor Anderson, Jim Patrico, Tom Dodge, Des Keller and Marcia Zarley Taylor DTN/ — The Progressive Farmer  “Agriculture’s Greatest Challenge”

Judge: “This investigation of predicted global food needs and what they mean for U.S. farmers demanded extensive and wide-ranging reporting and then a disciplined approach to storytelling. But “disciplined” does not mean “dull,” and this skilled reporter proved to be a talented writer. The gee-whiz facts and mind-boggling predictions are never allowed to overwhelm the goal of helping readers understand how they could be affected.

3RD – Chris Clayton and Katie Micik, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “Cutting into Conservation”

Judge: “Thoughtful organization of articles and skilled writing keep the reader moving through this potential snoozer of a topic. The writer keeps a tight rein on quotations, using them to truly advance the story but without confusing brevity and usefulness. Well-crafted transitions contribute to pacing and understanding. One gets the impression this reporter knows the subject backwards and forwards, and may even have personal experience with some of the issues.

HONORABLE MENTION:

• Gil Gullickson, Successful Farming — “Corn high yield team”
• Dan Miller, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “America’s best young farmers and ranchers”
• Linda Smith and Marcia Zarley Taylor, DTN/The Progressive Farmer — “A new marketing era”
• Cheryl Tevis, Successful Farming — “A first-rate farm business”

STUDENT CATEGORY

Judged by Pat Waters, retired business editor of the Omaha World-Herald.

Anthony Schick, Columbia Missourian- University of Missouri –  “Mississippi River town of Pinhook struggles to reclaim its community after levee break”

Judge’s comment: “The writer dexterously weaves information and data about the flood and rebuilding efforts with the history of Pinhook and its residents. The result is a strong, readable narrative rich in detail — for example, the description of the Baptist church after the floodwaters receded. This is not a story that the reporter “phoned in.” It obviously is the result of myriad interviews, historical research and visits to Pinhook and to the homes of its former residents. Well done indeed!”

Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave NW

(Note: The Cosmos Club has a dress code. Male members and visitors must wear a coat and tie at all times except upon arrival. Women members and visitors are expected to dress accordingly.)

1 p.m.              Business meeting

4 p.m.              Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, a wheat mill now operated by National Park Service. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe,  USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White and Interior Deputy Secretary David Hayes.

7 p.m.              Group dinner, Dino’s, Dino, 3435 Connecticut Avenue N, (Pay-your-own)

Monday, April 16

Cosmos Club, Crentz Room

8:45-9:45 a.m. — Farmers and biodigesters
Panelists: Steve Reinford is co-owner with wife Gina of a 1,035-acre dairy farm near Mifflintown, Pa.
Harry S. Baumes, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Energy Policy and New Uses, in the USDA Office of the Chief Economist.

Moderator – Phyllis Griekspoor

9:45-10 a.m. — break

10 a.m.-11:15 a.m. — A look ahead at the cattle herd, feedlot operations and beef quality
Panelist: Mike Kasten, v.p., Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers and farmer, Millersville, Mo.; Larry Corah, v.p. Certified Angus Beef, Manhattan, Kans.; and Scott Brown, MU Extension beef economist, Columbia, Mo.
Moderator – Duane Dailey

11:15 a.m.-noon  – The Bison Stampede. Dave Carter, president of North American Bison, and Trey Lewis, bison owner and marketer who owns Gunpowder Bison & Trading Co. in Maryland

Moderator – Ed Maixner

NOON – 1:30 p.m. Luncheon, U.S. Agriculture Secretary TomVilsack.

1:30-2 p.m. — break

2-3 p.m. – Is Agriculture Over-regulated or Under-regulated?
Panelists: Jim Magagna, Executive Vice President, Wyoming Stock Growers Association (Over-regulated)
Scott Faber, Vice President, Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group (Under-regulated)
Urban Lehner, Vice President, Editorial, DTN/The Progressive Farmer (Moderator)

3-4 p.m. — Herbicide Resistant Weeds – What the best scientists tell us
Richard Wilkins, a farmer from Greenwood, Del. His farm was close to the fields where the first glyphosate-resistant weeds in the United States were discovered in 2000.

Bill Curran, Extension Weeds specialist at Pennsylvania State University.

Moderator –  Charlene M. Shupp Espenshade

National Press Club

NAAJ-Sonja Hillgren Scholarship Benefit and Awards

5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. – Reception, dinner, awards and dance with music by Colin Peterson and the Second Amendments.

Tuesday, April 17

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Briefings with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., and House Agriculture Committee ranking member Collin Peterson, D-Minn.

2 p.m. – White House kitchen garden and a briefing with Doug McKalip, a member of the White House Domestic Policy Council staff.

NEWS

Information to come

SPOT NEWS
Judged by Steve Buttry
Herndon, Va.
Steve Buttry is Director of Community Engagement for TBD, an online news operation that launched in August 2010, covering local news in the Washington, D.C., metro area. He has been an editor, reporter, writing coach, blogger and innovation coach for seven community and metro newspapers, most recently editor of The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Buttry was named Editor of the Year in February 2010 by Editor & Publisher magazine. He spent three years doing research, teaching and writing for the American Press Institute. He has pursued his journalism career in 43 states, eight Canadian provinces, Ireland, Venezuela, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and Siberia.

• 1ST
  Victoria Myers, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Eastern Livestock Fails” is a strong story from its inviting lead that tells a story, but still gets quickly to the news: “They were the best bunch of cattle he’d ever sold. Twenty weaned, feeder steers, all trough-broke and vaccinated. Gary Bell unloaded the lot at 4:30 p.m., November 2, into the pens at Edmonton Livestock. Twenty minutes later he had a check in his hands for a little more than $14,000. Shortly thereafter he found out the check was no good.” This story explains a complicated mess well for a story that is still unfolding. It combines hard coverage of the basic news of the company’s failure, impact coverage about producers left holding bad checks and skillful storytelling.
• 2ND
  Chuck Abbott, Thomson Reuters: “U.S. election means a pinch on farm funds”: Readers wondering about the impact of the congressional election on agriculture got swift, clear answers from this story. With tight, crisp writing and thorough reporting, the writer explains the outlook on key ag issues and identifies the key players in those issues and where they stand.
• 3RD
  Charles Johnson, AgWeb.com: “Tennessee floods swamp agriculture” was a straightforward breaking-news story that covered the bases clearly and efficiently.
• HONORABLE MENTION: Christopher Doering and Bob Burgdorfer, Thomson Reuters — Russia has “issues” with new US poultry deal.

FEATURES
Judged by Sue Burzynski Bullard
Associate professor of journalism and mass communications, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She spent 30 years in newsrooms as a reporter and editor, including three years as managing editor of The Detroit News.

• 1ST
  Victoria Myers, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “The Humane Wars” captures both the emotion and import of the attack on farmers and ranchers over the treatment of animals.  The writer included elements of a great story, a David and Goliath battle, descriptive scenes to put readers in the middle of the action, and plenty of hard facts for depth and understanding.   The opening paragraphs read like a compelling scene from a movie, complete with color and a square-shouldered cowboy. The story also succinctly captures a trend. Farmers and ranchers – who have been on defense against the Humane Society and other groups – are not going to take it anymore without pushing back.
• 2ND
  David Hendee, Omaha World-Herald: “Huge Market at Stake” delivers the goods. It goes deep into the hassles cattle producers have in getting their beef to foreign markets, in this case Korea. The writer takes readers for a full informative ride, including the supermarkets of Korea, where the short ribs meet the road.  It’s also where U.S. beef competes with meat from Australia, and this story describes a complex rivalry with easy-to-read prose. The story is chocked with facts beef producers will find more than just a little interesting. And like all well-told stories, it also appeals to a wider audience.
• 3RD
  Ron Friesen, Manitoba Co-operator: “Cattle Producers Still Live in BSE’s Shadow” is a story that doesn’t let readers forget history – the history of BSE, the disease that struck cattle and damaged the industry. The story is partly told through man who attributes his reduced circumstances to fallout from BSE. It delivers a thread of events to show that – even though front-page BSE headlines are gone – the legacy lingers.
  HONORABLE MENTION (alphabetical by headline):
• Claire Vath, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Farm County Left in the Dust” is a comprehensive look at the lack of broadband Internet in rural areas. The story both defines the problem and its import.
• Laura Rance, Manitoba Co-operator: “Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds Take Over the South” is a timely heads up for agriculture around the world. Weeds are getting tougher and weed control will never the as simple as it once was.
• Victoria Myers, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “How High Can Land Prices Go?” It doesn’t get much more relevant than this. Land is essential to farming and ranching and it’s getting more expensive to buy.
• Barry Wilson, Western Producer: “Preparing the Seed Bed for a New Crop of Farmers” touches, literally, on the future of rural life. The story outlines the problems of passing along viable farms and also points the way toward solutions.
• Laurie Bedford, Successful Farming: “Stop Thief” is a timely story on thwarting theft of farm equipment. Much of it is, after all, portable. Preventing theft, in effect, fattens the bottom line.
• Jim Patrico, Tom Dodge and Barb Baylor Anderson, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “The Real American Farmer” comprehensively surveys American farm life – telling through farmers the hassles and joys of their work.  Readers get an insight into what it’s really like.

SERIES

Judged by David Skoloda, Onalaska, Wis.

Former Milwaukee Journal reporter and two-time Newspaper Farm Editors of America (predecessor of today’s NAAJ) Farm Editor of the Year in 1971 and 1975

JUDGE’S NOTE

Congratulations to the writers and editors who produced this year’s crop of NAAJ entries in the series competition. Choosing among these entries was difficult, but the best of them were good examples of the function of a series – to take a complex and important subject, dig deeply into it and present it in readable, understandable, digestible parts while maintaining the focus on the overall subject. There were many entries that didn’t make the award list that are also worthy of recognition, which speaks well for the quality of work being done by NAAJ members.

• 1ST
  Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: Such a series is the first place winner, ”Immigrant Labor and Ag.”  The writer gave us a clear example of the intensity of emotions generated by this issue and the perils communities face in dealing with it absent a national policy. The agricultural stake in the issue was well presented, as was the complexity of the immigration policy that exists. The second article on why immigrants don’t “get legal” would have been stronger with some Hispanic workers’ experiences; advocates speak for them instead. But overall this was an important, well-sourced piece of journalism on a subject of key importance to agriculture and the country as a whole.
• 2ND
  Phyllis Griekspoor, Kansas Farmer: Second place winner is entry ”Water Worries: Will it run out?” The writer does a fine job of explaining the water rights regulations that make it difficult to cope with the declining water supply in Kansas. The series holds the state accountable for decades of neglect in dealing with the depletion of a vital resource. Many sources tell the story and what can be done to deal with it. The Jay Garetson story was a particularly readable part of this package. The series would have benefited from a stronger concluding assessment answering the question raised by the series. Also, the piece on climate change seemed more of an afterthought than a serious look at how that might affect the long-term prospects for Kansas water.
• 3RD
  Todd Neely, DTN/Progressive Farmer: “Road to Cellulosic Ethanol.” This three-part update on the prospects for commercial cellulosic-ethanol production gives a broad perspective on both the financing difficulties and the disappointment experienced by farmers who were looking to the industry as a new market for their crops. A reminder of the scope of the potential markets for farmers would have been helpful.
• HONORABLE MENTION:
  Todd Neely, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Oil Vs. Ethanol,” a series honored for its ambitious research to answer the questions raised about subsidies for energy production.   The series, while highly informative, left the reader convinced of the cost of subsidies (whether the low or high numbers quoted), but still wondering about the prospects for change.
• Marcia Zarley Taylor, Elizabeth Williams and Dan Miller, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “The Acreage Race” is a well-written series of profiles of farms in the $1 million sales club.  An assessment by farm policy experts of the implications for U.S. agriculture would have added strength to the series – more on the advantages of scale, for example. And are there any downsides to the trend?
• Kurt Lawton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Sustainability Spotlight.” Highly readable stories of farmers dealing with environmental issues on their farms. The series might have been more coherent if each article had stated how it fit into a “Sustainability Spotlight.” For example, “this is the first in a series of articles on…”
• Charles Johnson, Progressive Farmer: “Nightmare Weed Problems.” Good stories, but not written in a series format with one story leading into the next. The teaser (missing in the October story) on the November installment refers to a story in December about weeds causing concerns, but doesn’t mention the good story on challenges to no-till growers.

COLUMNS & ANALYSIS
Judged by Randall Smith

Professor of convergence journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism since 2009. He holds an endowed chair in business journalism. His 30-year career at The Kansas City Star began in 1979 as a copy editor, rising to business editor, deputy managing editor and director of strategic development. Smith is a former president of the Society of American Business Writers and Editors and a recipient of the organization’s Distinguished Achievement Award. He is the vice chairman and first non-family member of the board of the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships. The author of the book, “A Kenyan Journey,” Smith has lectured to classes in China, Africa and the U.S. He is co-director of the Center for the Digital Globe at the University of Missouri.

• 1ST
  Urban Lehner, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Cuba: Case Study in Sanctions’ Shortcomings.” The columnist makes a credible argument for a position that most would not expect to come from the farming community. Writing is clear and the point of view is known from the first sentence. Facts are used to build a logical case, and give context to the reader.
• 2ND
  Ron Friesen, Manitoba Co-operator: “Starvation in an age of plenty.” Our lives and conversations are often based on what’s happening to us. The columnist takes a look across the ocean to Africa and provides a fascinating explanation on why Africa faces a food crisis on a regular basis. One of the culprits is our own agriculture policies. A good column informs and urges us to take action. This writer does both.
• 3RD
  Linda H. Smith, Farmland Seasons: “Do Biotech Crops Make Crop Disasters Obsolete?” Documentaries and newsmakers like to discuss the growth of the world’s population and always raise the question about whether we’ll be able to feed the 9.2 billion in 2050. The columnist raises the question and then gives us specific answers on how we might be able to do it through biotech farming. In less than ten minutes, the reader will learn much about future farming. Good graphics add to context.

HONORABLE MENTION

• Lori Potter, Kearney Hub: “What’s New at the Farm?” A good story is always a delight to read. This columnist takes us back to the family farm and describes the changes that have happened since childhood. And while it would have been easy to end on a down note because opf the decreasing number of family owned farms, the writer discovers a positive development to surprise us with at the end.
• Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “When a River Runs Through It.” A family outing can sometimes turn into a teachable moment. The columnist describes a float trip on his birthday, and the sights along the way. A salient point is made about the state of farming and the need to always pay attention to the environment.
• Barb Glen, The Western Producer: “Line Crossed in Approach to Livestock.” When a chicken is wearing a diaper, it takes a columnist to point out the humor in the situation. The columnist explains the human thinking behind this invention and notes that natural methods are far more sanitary. As farming becomes more urban, it’ll certainly keep agriculture writers busy. Who knows what will be next?

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Judged by Mark Witherspoon

Editorial adviser for Iowa State Daily. He was the 2010 recipient of the College Media Advisers Hall of Fame Award. Career includes reporter, editor and bureau chief at the Wichita Falls Record-News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, journalism faculty member and director of student publications at Texas Christian University and professor and student media adviser at Southern Methodist University.

• 1ST
  Dan Miller, Kurt Lawton, Karl Wolfshohl, Boyd Kidwell, Mark Moore, Charles Johnson, Des Keller and Daniel Davidson, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Supersized yields.” A wonderful example of providing needed information in a story-telling format. Lively writing based on a foundation of exceptional reporting allows writers to provide great information in a lively, informative and entertaining way.
• 2ND
  Jim Patrico, Claire Vath, Kurt Lawton, Russ Quinn, Dan Miller, Karl Wolfshohl, Marcia Zarley Taylor and Daniel Davidson, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Technology Revolution.” This is service journalism at its best. Not only does the reader get needed information, but it’s all told by its sources in a wonderful story-telling format that educates and entertains.
• 3RD
  Todd Neeley, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Oil vs. Ethanol.” A massive amount of research went into this six-part series, with dollar figures and numbers that could have ruined the readability of the series. But the writing allowed for an incisive and interesting read for all six parts of the series. And the way the figures were used in the states’ subsidies and total subsidies for oil and ethanol gave readers a chance to go more indepth of they wanted to without ruining the flow of the writing. An excellent and important piece of journalism.
  HONORABLE MENTION (in no particular order)
• Mary Baxter, Better Farming: “The scourge and stigma of mental illness on the farm.” Excellent reporting on an interesting subject I haven’t encountered. Wonderful logical flow of information that interspersed personal stories with statistical information and governmental responses to the problem.
• Jill Silva, Kansas City Star: “A need for nearby stores.” An excellent mix of personal stories and facts about the problem. Well written with a good flow of information and solution-oriented approach to the stories, especially the sidebar.
• Mary MacArthur, Western Producer: “Poor infrastructure hampers India.” Wonderful short stories tell wonderful tales. But there needs to be an overview that provides the reason for the stories and evidence that India and Canada are going to become trading partners.

-30-

Kim Price is the owner and president of Price Publications Inc. The Wetumpka, Ala.-based company owns three weekly newspapers in central Alabama and two monthly magazines (Gallery of Homes and Elmore County Living) and Covey Rise, a monthly quail hunting publication that reaches 46 states and more than 7,500 readers. He is a native Alabamian and member of the national board of Pheasants Forver/Quail Forever.  He is a former Associated Press correspondent.

• 1ST
  Mikkel Pates, Agweek: “Hosed! ACRE Program snafu costs Montana growers millions.’’  Extremely well-written story on a Montana farming family regarding the ACRE program. Liked the personal touch the writer put on this story by introducing the family. Balanced story in which the ACRE program is fully introduced.
• 2ND
  Ron Friesen, Manitoba Co-operator: “Growers allege discrimination.’’ Good job exposing a farmer’s personal story on how big business influences the small potato farmer. Would have liked more input from the business which is mentioned in the story.
• 3RD
  Mikkel Pates, Agweek: “Southern exposure.’’ Great job of turning court documents into an interesting read. Obviously a lot of research was involved. Would have liked to see a comment from the family’s lawyer since they were not available for comment.
  HONORABLE MENTION
• Gil Gullickson, Successful Farming: “The best way to no weeds is to know weeds.’’
• Mark Moore, Pat Hill, Dan Miller and Des Keller DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Grain storage headaches’’
• Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Poultry growers see market harm’’
• Lori Potter, Kearney Hub: “Effects of Humane Society of the U.S.’’
• Gil Gullickson, Successful Farming: “Mix and Match’’

SPOT NEWS
Judged by Steve Buttry

Steve Buttry is Director of Community Engagement for TBD, an online news operation that launched in August 2010, covering local news in the Washington, D.C., metro area. He has been an editor, reporter, writing coach, blogger and innovation coach for seven community and metro newspapers, most recently editor of The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Buttry was named Editor of the Year in February 2010 by Editor & Publisher magazine. He spent three years doing research, teaching and writing for the American Press Institute. He has pursued his journalism career in 43 states, eight Canadian provinces, Ireland, Venezuela, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and Siberia.

• 1ST
  Victoria Myers, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Eastern Livestock Fails” is a strong story from its inviting lead that tells a story, but still gets quickly to the news: “They were the best bunch of cattle he’d ever sold. Twenty weaned, feeder steers, all trough-broke and vaccinated. Gary Bell unloaded the lot at 4:30 p.m., November 2, into the pens at Edmonton Livestock. Twenty minutes later he had a check in his hands for a little more than $14,000. Shortly thereafter he found out the check was no good.” This story explains a complicated mess well for a story that is still unfolding. It combines hard coverage of the basic news of the company’s failure, impact coverage about producers left holding bad checks and skillful storytelling.
• 2ND
  Chuck Abbott, Thomson Reuters: “U.S. election means a pinch on farm funds”: Readers wondering about the impact of the congressional election on agriculture got swift, clear answers from this story. With tight, crisp writing and thorough reporting, the writer explains the outlook on key ag issues and identifies the key players in those issues and where they stand.
• 3RD
  Charles Johnson, AgWeb.com: “Tennessee floods swamp agriculture” was a straightforward breaking-news story that covered the bases clearly and efficiently.
• HONORABLE MENTION: Christopher Doering and Bob Burgdorfer, Thomson Reuters — Russia has “issues” with new US poultry deal.

FEATURES
Judged by Sue Burzynski Bullard

Associate professor of journalism and mass communications, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She spent 30 years in newsrooms as a reporter and editor, including three years as managing editor of The Detroit News.

• 1ST
  Victoria Myers, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “The Humane Wars” captures both the emotion and import of the attack on farmers and ranchers over the treatment of animals.  The writer included elements of a great story, a David and Goliath battle, descriptive scenes to put readers in the middle of the action, and plenty of hard facts for depth and understanding.   The opening paragraphs read like a compelling scene from a movie, complete with color and a square-shouldered cowboy. The story also succinctly captures a trend. Farmers and ranchers – who have been on defense against the Humane Society and other groups – are not going to take it anymore without pushing back.
• 2ND
  David Hendee, Omaha World-Herald: “Huge Market at Stake” delivers the goods. It goes deep into the hassles cattle producers have in getting their beef to foreign markets, in this case Korea. The writer takes readers for a full informative ride, including the supermarkets of Korea, where the short ribs meet the road.  It’s also where U.S. beef competes with meat from Australia, and this story describes a complex rivalry with easy-to-read prose. The story is chocked with facts beef producers will find more than just a little interesting. And like all well-told stories, it also appeals to a wider audience.
• 3RD
  Ron Friesen, Manitoba Co-operator: “Cattle Producers Still Live in BSE’s Shadow” is a story that doesn’t let readers forget history – the history of BSE, the disease that struck cattle and damaged the industry. The story is partly told through man who attributes his reduced circumstances to fallout from BSE. It delivers a thread of events to show that – even though front-page BSE headlines are gone – the legacy lingers.
  HONORABLE MENTION
• Claire Vath, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Farm County Left in the Dust” is a comprehensive look at the lack of broadband Internet in rural areas. The story both defines the problem and its import.
• Laura Rance, Manitoba Co-operator: “Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds Take Over the South” is a timely heads up for agriculture around the world. Weeds are getting tougher and weed control will never the as simple as it once was.
• Victoria Myers, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “How High Can Land Prices Go?” It doesn’t get much more relevant than this. Land is essential to farming and ranching and it’s getting more expensive to buy.
• Barry Wilson, Western Producer: “Preparing the Seed Bed for a New Crop of Farmers” touches, literally, on the future of rural life. The story outlines the problems of passing along viable farms and also points the way toward solutions.
• Laurie Bedord, Successful Farming: “Stop Thief” is a timely story on thwarting theft of farm equipment. Much of it is, after all, portable. Preventing theft, in effect, fattens the bottom line.
• Jim Patrico, Tom Dodge and Barb Baylor Anderson, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “The Real American Farmer” comprehensively surveys American farm life – telling through farmers the hassles and joys of their work.  Readers get an insight into what it’s really like.

SERIES
Judged by David Skoloda, Onalaska, Wis.

Former Milwaukee Journal reporter and two-time Newspaper Farm Editors of America (predecessor of today’s NAAJ) Farm Editor of the Year in 1971 and 1975.

JUDGE’S NOTE: Congratulations to the writers and editors who produced this year’s crop of NAAJ entries in the series competition. Choosing among these entries was difficult, but the best of them were good examples of the function of a series – to take a complex and important subject, dig deeply into it and present it in readable, understandable, digestible parts while maintaining the focus on the overall subject. There were many entries that didn’t make the award list that are also worthy of recognition, which speaks well for the quality of work being done by NAAJ members.

• 1ST
  Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: Such a series is the first place winner, ”Immigrant Labor and Ag.”  The writer gave us a clear example of the intensity of emotions generated by this issue and the perils communities face in dealing with it absent a national policy. The agricultural stake in the issue was well presented, as was the complexity of the immigration policy that exists. The second article on why immigrants don’t “get legal” would have been stronger with some Hispanic workers’ experiences; advocates speak for them instead. But overall this was an important, well-sourced piece of journalism on a subject of key importance to agriculture and the country as a whole.
• 2ND
  Phyllis Griekspoor and Rhonda McCurry , Kansas Farmer: Second place winner is entry ”Water Worries: Will it run out?” The writer does a fine job of explaining the water rights regulations that make it difficult to cope with the declining water supply in Kansas. The series holds the state accountable for decades of neglect in dealing with the depletion of a vital resource. Many sources tell the story and what can be done to deal with it. The Jay Garetson story was a particularly readable part of this package. The series would have benefited from a stronger concluding assessment answering the question raised by the series. Also, the piece on climate change seemed more of an afterthought than a serious look at how that might affect the long-term prospects for Kansas water.
• 3RD
  Todd Neeley, DTN/Progressive Farmer: “Road to Cellulosic Ethanol.” This three-part update on the prospects for commercial cellulosic-ethanol production gives a broad perspective on both the financing difficulties and the disappointment experienced by farmers who were looking to the industry as a new market for their crops. A reminder of the scope of the potential markets for farmers would have been helpful.
  HONORABLE MENTION
• Todd Neeley, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Oil Vs. Ethanol,” a series honored for its ambitious research to answer the questions raised about subsidies for energy production.   The series, while highly informative, left the reader convinced of the cost of subsidies (whether the low or high numbers quoted), but still wondering about the prospects for change.
• Marcia Zarley Taylor, Elizabeth Williams and Dan Miller, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “The Acreage Race” is a well-written series of profiles of farms in the $1 million sales club.  An assessment by farm policy experts of the implications for U.S. agriculture would have added strength to the series – more on the advantages of scale, for example. And are there any downsides to the trend?
• Kurt Lawton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Sustainability Spotlight.” Highly readable stories of farmers dealing with environmental issues on their farms. The series might have been more coherent if each article had stated how it fit into a “Sustainability Spotlight.” For example, “this is the first in a series of articles on…”
• Charles Johnson, Progressive Farmer: “Nightmare Weed Problems.” Good stories, but not written in a series format with one story leading into the next. The teaser (missing in the October story) on the November installment refers to a story in December about weeds causing concerns, but doesn’t mention the good story on challenges to no-till growers.

COLUMNS & ANALYSIS
Judged by Randall Smith

Professor of convergence journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism since 2009. He holds an endowed chair in business journalism. His 30-year career at The Kansas City Star began in 1979 as a copy editor, rising to business editor, deputy managing editor and director of strategic development. Smith is a former president of the Society of American Business Writers and Editors and a recipient of the organization’s Distinguished Achievement Award. He is the vice chairman and first non-family member of the board of the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships. The author of the book, “A Kenyan Journey,” Smith has lectured to classes in China, Africa and the U.S. He is co-director of the Center for the Digital Globe at the University of Missouri.

• 1ST
  Urban Lehner, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Cuba: Case Study in Sanctions’ Shortcomings.” The columnist makes a credible argument for a position that most would not expect to come from the farming community. Writing is clear and the point of view is known from the first sentence. Facts are used to build a logical case, and give context to the reader.
• 2ND
  Linda H. Smith, Farmland Seasons: “Do Biotech Crops Make Crop Disasters Obsolete?” Documentaries and newsmakers like to discuss the growth of the world’s population and always raise the question about whether we’ll be able to feed the 9.2 billion in 2050. The columnist raises the question and then gives us specific answers on how we might be able to do it through biotech farming. In less than ten minutes, the reader will learn much about future farming. Good graphics add to context.
• 3RD
  Barb Glen, The Western Producer: “Line Crossed in Approach to Livestock.” When a chicken is wearing a diaper, it takes a columnist to point out the humor in the situation. The columnist explains the human thinking behind this invention and notes that natural methods are far more sanitary. As farming becomes more urban, it’ll certainly keep agriculture writers busy. Who knows what will be next? HONORABLE MENTION
• Lori Potter, Kearney Hub: “What’s New at the Farm?” A good story is always a delight to read. This columnist takes us back to the family farm and describes the changes that have happened since childhood. And while it would have been easy to end on a down note because opf the decreasing number of family owned farms, the writer discovers a positive development to surprise us with at the end.
• Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “When a River Runs Through It.” A family outing can sometimes turn into a teachable moment. The columnist describes a float trip on his birthday, and the sights along the way. A salient point is made about the state of farming and the need to always pay attention to the environment.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Judged by Mark Witherspoon

Editorial adviser for Iowa State Daily. He was the 2010 recipient of the College Media Advisers Hall of Fame Award. Career includes reporter, editor and bureau chief at the Wichita Falls Record-News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, journalism faculty member and director of student publications at Texas Christian University and professor and student media adviser at Southern Methodist University.

• 1ST
  Dan Miller, Kurt Lawton, Karl Wolfshohl, Boyd Kidwell, Mark Moore, Charles Johnson, Des Keller and Daniel Davidson, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Supersized yields.” A wonderful example of providing needed information in a story-telling format. Lively writing based on a foundation of exceptional reporting allows writers to provide great information in a lively, informative and entertaining way.
• 2ND
  Jim Patrico, Claire Vath, Kurt Lawton, Russ Quinn, Dan Miller, Karl Wolfshohl, Marcia Zarley Taylor and Daniel Davidson, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Technology Revolution.” This is service journalism at its best. Not only does the reader get needed information, but it’s all told by its sources in a wonderful story-telling format that educates and entertains.
• 3RD
  Todd Neeley, DTN/The Progressive Farmer: “Oil vs. Ethanol.” A massive amount of research went into this six-part series, with dollar figures and numbers that could have ruined the readability of the series. But the writing allowed for an incisive and interesting read for all six parts of the series. And the way the figures were used in the states’ subsidies and total subsidies for oil and ethanol gave readers a chance to go more indepth of they wanted to without ruining the flow of the writing. An excellent and important piece of journalism.
  HONORABLE MENTION
• Mary Baxter, Better Farming: “The scourge and stigma of mental illness on the farm.” Excellent reporting on an interesting subject I haven’t encountered. Wonderful logical flow of information that interspersed personal stories with statistical information and governmental responses to the problem.
• Jill Silva, Kansas City Star: “A need for nearby stores.” An excellent mix of personal stories and facts about the problem. Well written with a good flow of information and solution-oriented approach to the stories, especially the sidebar.
• Mary MacArthur, Western Producer: “Poor infrastructure hampers India.” Wonderful short stories tell wonderful tales. But there needs to be an overview that provides the reason for the stories and evidence that India and Canada are going to become trading partners.

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Make plans now to attend the annual NAAJ meeting April 15-17, 2012 in Washington, D.C. It will be held at the Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC 20008-2871. Room rate is $177 and reservations may be made by contacting the Cosmos Club at (202) 387-7783. The cutoff date for reserving rooms is March 15, 2012.

Registration for the event is now open. A variety of registration options – ranging from $30 to $165 – is available for member convenience. Information is at http://www.naaj.net/meeting-registration-form-2012.

The award honors Audrey Mackiewicz, a former Ohio newswoman who was the association’s first female president and long-time executive secretary-treasurer. The award is given to independent newspapers and magazines publications that have expanded their coverage of agriculture.

To enter, submit a document no more than two pages long, at least 12 point font describing how the publication as increased agriculture coverage over the past year. Indications of the effectiveness or outcome of the coverage can be included in this document, if possible. Samples of the coverage can be included with the document, but entries can not be returned.

Send entries to Alan Bjerga, NAAJ president, Bloomberg News, 1399 New York Ave NW #1100, Washington, DC.

The winner receives recognition and a plaque, presented during the North American Agricultural Journalists annual meeting at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. April 11.

North American Agricultural Journalists is a professional, international group of agricultural editors and writers with a membership spanning the United States, Canada and Mexico. It was organized in 1952 to promote the highest ideals of journalism and agricultural coverage.

To see previous winners, go to http://www.naaj.net/audrey-mackiewicz-special-award.

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With either method, please send to the address above or email to ka-phillips@tamu.edu the following information: Name, Company, mailing address, phone number, cell number, email address.

* When the organization changed from the Newspaper Farm Editors of America to the
National Association of Agricultural Journalists.

** When the organization changed from the National Association of Agricultural
Journalists to North American Agricultural Journalists.