NAAJ Ongoing Coverage or Series Winners - 2022

Category description: Entries in this category contain three or more stories focused on an agricultural issue, trend or event. Entrees may be either stories published as part of ongoing coverage or in a planned series but should objectively explore the subject in great depth from various points of view. A collection of at least three stories published on more than one day is a single entry.

Number of entries: 26

Comments about the competition: The 26 entries covered the gamut from straight production stories to investigative reports to historical features. It was a pleasure reading such a well-written variety of agricultural series.

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.

 

Judge’s comments: Useful series for producers searching for help selecting seed. Good explanation of seed science with a minimum of technical language. Sidebars are offered for a deep dive into more scientific information. Anecdotes help introduce the reader to concepts.

SECOND PLACE — Noah Wicks, Agri-Pulse

COVER CROP SERIES

—   Saving the planet by saving the soil: Can cover crops fulfill their promise? – 11/29/21

—   Making cover crops pay off: What it takes to cover the cost — 12/06/2021

—   Cover crops as cash crops: Farmers angle to profit off the practice — 12/13/2021

—   Direct checks could ignite cover crop surge; crop insurance may play role, too — 12/20/2021

Judge’s comments: In-depth series that offers a comprehensive look at cover crops. The reporters do a good job including the experiences of producers in different parts of the country who have had success with cover crops and those who haven’t. How-to information, including economics and policy, gives producers options to consider in trying cover crops for themselves.

THIRD PLACE — Victoria Myers, DTN/Progressive Farmer

CYBERSECURITY

—   Cybercrime Takes Aim at America’s Food Supply — October 2021

—   Cooperative Won’t Pay Hacker Ransom: Cyberattack on Iowa Cooperative Considered Terrorism — October 1, 2021

—   Malware Ties Up Supply Chains — December 2021

Judge’s comments: Timely series that highlights how farms and ag businesses are also threatened by cyberattacks. The reporter did well to find so many sources on the record when many are reluctant to admit attacks have taken place. Provides needed information on ways to protect businesses from cyberattacks from experts and those who have dealt with hacks.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

  Rebecca Miller, Sarah Donaldson, Rachel Wagoner, Farm and Dairy

GROWING FARMERS

—   Challenges for new farmers are rooted in history — 5/20/2021

—   Farm transitions are as much about families as about farms — 5/20/2021

—   Let’s rewrite the last will of Mr. Farmer – 5/24/2021

—   New farmers struggle with land access — 5/27/2021

—   A family farm finds a home — 5/27/2021

—   Researchers: Health care and child care hold back family farms — 5/27/2021

—   Partnerships, local connections keep Living City Farms growing — 6/3/2021

—   Knowing who knows: Beginning farmers need a strong network — 6/3/2021

—   Beginning farmers and burnout: Knowing when to say when — 6/10/2021

—   Discrimination adds a layer to beginning farmers’ challenges — 6/10/2021

—   Remembering where we came from — 6/8/2021

Judge’s comments: Nice package of stories that covered the financial, policy, and social aspects of farming. It offers good examples of people who have faced the challenges of becoming farmers, and features some of the barriers that they and others encounter. Did well to include racial barriers in the past and the present. Excellent photos illustrate the series.