NAAJ Editorial Winners - 2023
Entries in this category require the writer to build arguments on fact and logic to address a certain issue. An editorial should state a position and convince the reader of the need for action. Note: ONE column is submitted as a single entry.
Number of entries: 17
Comments about the competition: This category had a variety of opinion pieces that included marketing and production advice to ways to fix many agricultural problems. The writers kept their opinions based on information backed up by sources or reporting, avoiding hyperbole.
— Judge: Ed Adcock, after covering agriculture and business at dailies in Illinois and Iowa, transitioned to public information at Iowa State University Extension Communications and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, from which he retired in 2019.
FIRST PLACE — Dave Dickey, Investigate Midwest
APHIS needs to be held accountable for Envigo dog breeding failures — 11/23/2022
Judge’s comments: Writer makes a convincing case spotlighting the lack of federal oversight with reporting from a variety of sources, including the agency's own reports. They are presented plainly in a timeline that includes links. The reporting reinforces his call for an investigation of the agency's practices.
SECOND PLACE — Elaine Kub, Progressive Farmer/DTN
The Answer is Almost Always ‘Sell Some Grain’ — 10/5/2022
Judge’s comments: The writer presents this column in a simple way for those getting started marketing their farm's production, giving perspective to a process that involves detailed information on supply and demand estimates, predicted weather conditions, possible trends among other glimpses of the future. But I'd say it is a good reminder for those who have sold grain and livestock for years. I could have used this advice when I was selling grain.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jennifer Latzke, Kansas Farmer / Farm Progress
Public schools are economic drivers for our rural communities — 9/19/2022
Judge’s comments: The writer makes a strong argument pushing back on criticism of primary schools by presenting the economic return in her rural state. The figures help back up her opinion that the educational system pays for itself and then some. Although harder to quantify, a case could be made that schools also are social drivers for rural communities.
THIRD PLACE — Urban Lehner, Progressive Farmer/DTN
In Defense of Conservation Easements — 10/11/2022
Judge’s comments: It is important to clear up misinformation that politicians sometimes present as fact. This column attempts to do that in a straightforward way, laying out the ways a farm state governor misstated the ways conservation easements work. Hopefully, more people read this that the governor's comments.