The Agriculturist, the official magazine of Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, claimed top honors last week at the 2025 Agricultural Media Summit, winning first place in the student publication category as well as a People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by summit attendees.
“This recognition is a testament to the talent, dedication and hard work our students put into this publication,” said Lindsay Kennedy, publisher of The Agriculturist and an Associate Professor of Practice within the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications.
“Producing The Agriculturist provides students with a real world learning experience as they navigate the challenges associated with writing, photographing, designing and selling the magazine. It is an honor to win these two awards that showcase the quality of our students’ work on the national stage.”
The annual publication, produced entirely by undergraduates enrolled in the college’s capstone course, Development of Agricultural Publications (ACOM 4410), was recognized for its editorial quality, visual presentation, and storytelling depth. The magazine, which covers 110 pages in its 2024 edition, is funded through advertising and sponsorships and operates as a non-profit.
The Agricultural Media Summit is among the nation’s top gathering of agricultural communicators—bringing together leading writers, editors, designers, photographers and media professionals from across the U.S. Hosted this year in Rogers, Arkansas, the event is organized by the Agricultural Communicators Network, Ag Media Council/Connectiv, and the Livestock Publications Council.
Among the standout individual performers was Allie Herring, a May 2025 agricultural communications graduate from Franklin, Texas. Herring won first place in two categories of the 2025 National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) contest: the Writing Division’s Long Personality Profile and the Public Relations Division’s Single Item category.
Her success builds on a strong track record. In 2024, Herring was named recipient of the Livestock Publications Council’s prestigious Forrest Bassford Award, which honors outstanding student achievement and leadership in agricultural communications. Kyra Holt, a senior agricultural communications major from Saint John, Washington, was a finalist for this year’s Forrest Bassford Award.
Separately, Courtney Meyers, professor and graduate studies coordinator in the Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, was recognized with the 2025 ACT Honored Chapter Adviser Award, a national distinction acknowledging her commitment to the next generation of agricultural communicators. A respected leader in her field, Meyers has previously been awarded a USDA Excellence in Teaching Award (2022) and was named a Fulbright Scholar to Australia in 2022.
Other Texas Tech Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow members also received several awards in the event’s Critique & Contest program, including:
Writing Division
- 1st place Brochure or Pamphlet and 5th Place Short Personality Profile – Kyra Holt, a senior agricultural communications major from Saint John, Washington
- 2nd Place Short Personality Profile – Savannah Sinclair, a senior agricultural communications major from Panhandle, Texas
Photography Division
- 1st Place Scenic Photo – Landry Roberts, a senior agricultural communications major from Burleson, Texas
- 2nd Place Animal Photo – Berkeley Carver, a junior agricultural communications major from Abernathy, Texas
- 3rd Place Black & White Photo and 3rd Place People Photo – Morgan Minnick, a May 2025 agricultural communications graduate from Logansport, Indiana
Texas Tech’s Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, which supports around 285 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, is known nationally for its academic programs and hands-on learning model. The department offers master’s degrees in both agricultural education and communications, along with a Ph.D. and an online Ed.D. program designed for working professionals.
CONTACT: Scott Burris, Chair, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-8689 or scott.burris@ttu.edu
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