Led by a outstanding departmental magazine, The Agriculturalist, Texas Tech's Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow chapter had a strong showing earlier this month at the national 'Ag Media Summit' in Buffalo, NY. Tech students brought home several top awards, in addition to taking on a standout leadership position for the upcoming year.

Program officials said more than 600 participants attended the summit, one of the largest gatherings of crop and livestock publications professionals in the United States. During the conference, students received awards and professional feedback from the National ACT Critique & Contest, which consists of competitors from universities across the nation. Among the winners were:

Publication Division "" Magazine

• Second "" The Agriculturalist, Sarah Wilson (editor), David Doerfert (adviser)
• Third "" The Agriculturalist, Robert Jones (editor), David Doerfert (adviser)

Electronic Media "" Video Production

• First "" Hallie Bertrand and Lindsay Beedy
• Excellence in Electronic Media "" Hallie Bertrand and Lindsay Beedy

Additionally, Faith Jurek was elected as the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow President for the upcoming year. Jurek is a graduate student within the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication.

Aside from professional development opportunities, students were given opportunities to network with professionals within the industry. Kelly Harkey, a graduate student within the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, said the meeting provided her with key connections.

"I was surprised to see so many professionals at Ag Media Summit," Harkey said. "Tons of professionals were so easily accessible. It was up to me to reach out to them and make the connection."

Separately, Harkey and Nellie Hill served as social media interns for AdFarm throughout the conference. Interns were required to live tweet during the conference's InfoExpo.

The Ag Media Summit is a joint meeting of the American Agricultural Editors Association, Livestock Publications Council and the Association of Business Media Companies Agri-Council. This event also served as the national conference for the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.

Written by Faith Jurek

CONTACT: Steve Fraze, chairman, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2816 or steven.fraze@ttu.edu

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