May 15, 2014

County Farm Bureaus: Since 1975, ’s county Farm Bureaus have recognized members of the news media with the Agricultural Communicator of the Year award. The award recognizes those who have done an outstanding job covering agriculture and Farm Bureau policy through radio, television and print media. More than anything, deserving winners of this award help foster a better understanding of agriculture and Farm Bureau, for both farmers and the non-farm public. Michigan Farm Bureau’s Information and Public Relations Division accepts nominations in two categories—print media (newspapers and magazines) and broadcast media (television and radio). Please see the award criteria and nomination form attached to this letter. Nominees are normally individual reporters or broadcasters; media workers participating in Michigan Farm Bureau’s Adopt-a-Farm program or other media partnerships are often prime candidates. Counties are also encouraged to consider nominating news “teams” (such as a reporter and photographer who work together on a story or series) or an entire news organization if appropriate—a single newspaper, magazine, television station, radio station or radio network whose team of reporters, photographers, editors and producers do justice to Michigan agriculture and Farm Bureau. Now is a perfect time to begin observing and tracking the agricultural coverage of your local media outlets. Consider doing the following between now and July: 1. Assemble the group of people who will be making the county Farm Bureau selection (communications committee, county board, etc.) 2. Review the award criteria and make a list of media people or organizations that have helped foster a better understanding of agriculture and Farm Bureau, for both farmers and the non-farm public. 3. Plan to recognize your winner(s) at your county annual meeting with a certificate of appreciation. 4. Nominate your local winner(s) for the state awards by making copies of and completing the attached application. Return your nominations to me at the home office by July 1, 2014 and attach examples of the nominee's work. (See award criteria regarding samples.) A panel of judges will pick up to two winners for the state Agricultural Communicator of the Year awards— normally one print recipient and one broadcast recipient. State winners will be honored at the MFB Annual Meeting. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email me. Sincerely,

Nikki L. Baker MFB Local Media Specialist (517) 323-6584 [email protected] cc: County Administrative Managers, MFB Regional Representatives

Agricultural Communicator of the Year Award Criteria

1. County Farm Bureaus may nominate up to two Agricultural Communicators of the Year—one for both print and broadcast media—but not two in one category. County Farm Bureaus are free to nominate only one communicator from either print or broadcast media. Nominees must be from a newspaper, radio or television station, or magazine not affiliated with Farm Bureau or MSU Extension. 2. Nominate your communicator(s) based on the quality of the job they did representing agriculture and Farm Bureau policy—not on the size of their readership or audience. Journalists at small, weekly newspapers can be just as qualified as a team of reporters and photographers at a large, metropolitan-area daily. Typically, winners are those who have covered agriculture well over a period of time, but a communicator who develops even one outstanding story is eligible if the work merits nomination. 3. Generally winners are individual reporters. However, a single news organization (i.e. a television or radio station, magazine or newspaper) is eligible if they use a team of personnel to regularly cover agriculture and Farm Bureau. Likewise, winners can be a "team" from a single news organization, such as a reporter and a photographer or cameraman who work together on a news story or series. 4. Past winners are eligible to win again if they continue to do an excellent job communicating agricultural issues. (See list of previous winners.) 5. While not mandatory, preference should be given to media workers participating in MFB’s Adopt-a- Farm program and who use Farm Bureau media resources, such as AgriNotes & News, county press releases, county Farm Bureau communications committees, etc. 6. Clippings of newspaper or magazine articles are required for print nominees. For radio and television, any support materials such as transcripts and/or recorded broadcasts would be extremely helpful but are not required. Be descriptive in your nomination, thoroughly explaining your nominee's coverage of agricultural events and issues. 7. Nominations must be submitted by July 1, 2014 to: Information and Public Relations Division; Attn: Local Media Specialist Nikki Baker; Michigan Farm Bureau; P.O. Box 30960; Lansing, Ml 48909-8460.

Note: Local recognition is so important! Be sure to thank these outstanding media personnel for their work promoting and educating the general public about Michigan’s agriculture industry.

Agricultural Communicator of the Year Past Recipients 2013—Cindy Crain Newman, Midland Daily News; Michael Redford, WDCQ’a “Second Act: Life at 50+” 2012—Tanya Wildt, Heritage Newspapers; WZZM 13 News, Grand Rapids 2011—Terry Katz, Sturgis Journal 2010—Amy Bell, Hillsdale Daily News 2009—Jessica Dudenhofer, Greenville Daily News; Matt Vande Bunte & Nancy Crawley, Grand Rapids Press 2008—Kirsten Kelly & Anne de Mare, Spargel Productions; Edward Freundl, Heritage Newspapers West 2007—Rosemary Parker, Kalamazoo Gazette; Mark Torregrossa, WEYI 25 Clio 2006—Janelle Brose, Michigan Farm Radio Network; Dean Cousino, Monroe Evening News 2005—Maria Mulder-Brown, Tri-City Times; Tom Montgomery, Cass City Chronicle 2004—Rob Clark, Bay City Times; Bill Lewis, WYTZ Radio Benton Harbor 2003—Cheryl Ciske, The Voice, New Baltimore; Rick Shields, WKZO Radio Kalamazoo 2002—Stacey Langley, Huron Daily Tribune; Peri Stone-Palmquist, Ann Arbor News 2001—Nancy Barriger, Tuscola County Advertiser; Karen Tremble, Michigan Farm Radio Network 2000—Ed Mandel, The Source; Terry Henne, WSGW Radio 1999—Paul Jackson, Business Direct Weekly; Jill Haake, Bay City Times 1998—Kirk Haverkamp, Romeo Observer; Kevin Allen, WKJC Radio 1997—Rhoda Miel, Saginaw News; Mario lacobelli, TV 9/10 WWTV/WWUP-TV Cadillac 1996—Karl Albrecht, Bay City Times 1995—Mark Sanchez, Holland Sentinel; Rick Duerson, WGLQ/WCHT, Escanaba 1994—Larry See, Jr., Monroe Guardian; Merlin Dumbrille, WTCM-AM Traverse City 1993—Kathleen Gray, Oakland Press; Greg Yoder, WMPC Lapeer 1992—Bob Armstrong, WMIC Sandusky; Marg Higgins, Traverse City Record-Eagle 1991—Matt Seward, Cadillac Evening News 1990—Pat Driscoll, Michigan Farm Radio Network; Bob Driscoll, WPZA Ann Arbor; Marg Higgins, Traverse City Record-Eagle 1989—Mike Mitchell, WKJC Tawas City; Robert Selwa, Macomb Daily, Mt. Clemens 1988—H. Allen Wamsley, Huron Daily Tribune; John Haupricht and Deb McCollum, Channel 5 Bay City/Saginaw 1987—Mike Vaughn, WWMT-TV Kalamazoo; Kathy Longcore, Grand Rapids Press 1986—Bob Driscoll, Michigan Farm Radio Network; Mike VanBuren, Kalamazoo Gazette 1985—Mike VanBuren, Kalamazoo Gazette; Harvey Klann, WHAK Rogers City 1984—Robert Armstrong, WMIC Sandusky; James Weicker, Jackson Citizen-Patriot 1983—Bob Driscoll, Michigan Farm Radio Network; Kathy Longcore, Grand Rapids Press 1982—Tom Haroldson, Kalamazoo Gazette; Mary Kelly, WBKB-TV Alpena 1981—Bob Driscoll, Michigan Farm Radio Network; Raymond Smith, Climax Crescent; Eric Levin, WMIC Sandusky 1980—David Fortin, WPBN-TV Traverse City; Ben Leonard, Farmers’ Advance; Karl Guenther, WKZO Kalamazoo 1979—Howard Heath, Michigan Farm Radio Network (scholarship contribution in lieu of posthumous award); Scott Killgore, WJR Detroit; Jim Brown, Ingham County News; Harold Sparks, WDOW Dowagiac 1978—Scott Killgore, WJR Detroit; Jim Bernstein, WKZO-TV Kalamazoo; Robert Grnak, Saginaw Valley News 1977—Terry Henne, WSGW; Tom Stersic, Kalamazoo Gazette; Ross Woodstock, WRBJ 1976—Herb Schmidt, WBCM Bay City; Karl Guenther, WKZO Kalamazoo; Evelyn Stringham, Jackson Citizen- Patriot 1975—Howard Heath, Michigan Farm Radio Network; R. E. Hosteller, Fremont Times-Indicator; Karl Guenther, WKZO Kalamazoo

Agricultural Communicator of the Year Nomination Form

Nominee's Name: ______PRINT ______or BROADCAST ______Name of Publication/Station: ______Phone: ______Address: ______

Please answer the following questions as completely as possible; attach additional pages as needed. 1. Explain the issues or events covered by your nominee, and what he or she did to warrant selection as your Agricultural Communicator of the Year:

2. Describe any other special projects or extraordinary coverage of farm issues or events by your nominee:

3. Describe how your nominee has worked with your county Farm Bureau and other local agricultural groups:

4. Explain why your nominee should be selected as the MFB Agricultural Communicator of the Year:

Nominating County Farm Bureau: ______

By: ______(County President or County Administrative Manager)

Mail before July 1, 2014 to: Michigan Farm Bureau Attn: Nikki Baker Info PR Division 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. P.O. Box 30960 Lansing, Ml 48909-8460