Entries now open for young rural journalist award

• Now open to journalists up to the age of 35 years
• New intensive professional development initiative for winner
• Deadline June 3, 2011

Rural journalists up the age of 35 years can now enter a prestigious national award which will give them the opportunity to attend a gathering of their peers from around the world.

The Alltech Australian Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award is being organised by the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists (ACAJ) in association with Alltech Biotechnology Pty Ltd.

The winner will attend the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) annual congress in Guelph and Niagara Falls, Ontario, from September 14 to 18, 2011. In a major new initiative coordinated by the IFAJ and sponsored by Alltech, they will also participate in a special three-day ‘boot camp’ before the main congress.

ACAJ president Liz Harfull said the new boot camp was particularly exciting, because it would enhance the congress experience with a tailor-made professional development program involving 10 other young leaders from around the world, with both practical and formal training from highly regarded practitioners and a personal mentor.

Alltech Australia General Manager Adam Naylor said the company sponsored the award as part of a wider program that encouraged education and excellence among scientists, and people writing about science and agriculture.

“Alltech strongly believes that education is vital to ensuring the sustainability and success of our industry. Rural journalists play a key role in this process and are essential in communicating what is happening in our industry, inspiring us all to move forward,” he said.

To qualify, entrants must be a member of a rural press club affiliated with the ACAJ. This year the age limit for the award has been increased from 32 to 35 years as at December 31, 2011.

The prize will cover registration costs for both the congress and the boot camp, worth approximately $2000. Entrants should note this award no longer includes airfares to attend the congress; travel must be organised by the winner.

Entries close Friday, June 3, 2011. People interested in the awards should contact their local rural media association or ACAJ president Liz Harfull – email lizharfull@internode.on.net or phone 0409 674 941. Further information is available at www.acaj.org.au