Learning to communicate at the Calgary Stampede
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
THE FARM JOURNALIST, OCTOBER 2010
Editor: Christina Franc, P.O. Box 250, Ormstown, Qc, J0S 1K0
Phone: 877-782-6456 Ext.706, Email: office@cfwf.ca
October 2010
Learning to communicate at the Calgary Stampede
By Rebecca Hannam
hands-on working environ-
ment.
Although I didn’t quite
know what to expect on day
one of the Greatest Outdoor
Show on Earth, I was eager to
learn about writing, editing,
pitching, photography and
whatever else the committee
had in mind. My goal was to
divide my time between build-
ing my own portfolio, learning
from the committee and net-
working with other Stampede
volunteers.
Each day I looked for a
Rebecca Hannam (right) with Annemarie Pedersen, Chair of the 2010
human interest story, set up an
Agriculture Media Summit. interview with an exhibitor or
volunteer, wrote an article and
W
hile most ven- and overwhelmed to have been pitched it to an agricultural
ture to the fa- chosen this summer. publication. I then worked with
mous Calgary Within minutes of arriving a committee member to edit my
Stampede to in Calgary the talent among the draft and submit it to be pub-
watch rodeo and enjoy western members of the Agriculture lished. As you can probably
hospitality, the reason I packed Media Committee was evident. imagine, trying my hand at
my jeans and boots this sum- Agriculture, marketing and each step in this process in a
mer was every agriculture stu- communications professionals new environment was without a
dent’s dream – an internship from across Alberta volunteer doubt an educational experi-
with the Stampede’s Agricul- their time on this committee to ence.
ture Media Committee. organize and encourage media I also learned a lot about
University of Guelph agri- coverage of the Stampede’s media relations during my time
cultural communications stu- agriculture events. Their unique with committee volunteers.
dents have participated in this weeklong internship program Welcoming newspaper report-
internship for the past four offers students a chance to gain ers and radio broadcasters to
years and I was both thrilled practical experience in a fun, (Continued on page 4)
THE FARM JOURNALIST, OCTOBER 2010 2
CFWF meets IFAJ in 2011 By Lilian Schaer, Co-Chair
I
n 2011, Canada will be welcoming international
farm writers and agricultural communicators to
our country for the first time in over forty years as George Atkins’
hosts of the annual congress of the International
Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ).
We’re going to be combining this international
legacy lives on
event with our annual CFWF conference. We’ll still
follow our traditional CFWF format of tours mixed
with professional development, but everything will be
on a bit of a larger and decidedly more international
scale. Here are some of the changes you can expect:
• Participants from about 30 different countries with
approximately 250 – 300 delegates.
• Although English will be the official language of
the congress, you’ll hear many other languages
spoken.
• Journalists from developing countries who are par-
ticipating in a special Master Class program.
• We’ll still be having a CFWF annual meeting and CFWF lost one of its founders and oldest mem-
awards ceremony, but it will likely take on a ber when George Atkins passed away last year,
slightly different format than usual. but we are pleased to announce the arrival of
• We’re starting the congress in Guelph, going out on George Atkins junior. Gloria Kiwia form Sibuka
FM in Maswa, Tanzania, a Farm Radio Interna-
two days of tours with an overnight stop en route tional partner station, named her recent arrival
and ending with two days in Niagara Falls. in honour of George, the FRI's founder.
• You’ll have to decide early whether you’re attend-
ing - registration will start much earlier (January
2011) and end much sooner (June 2011).
• The price you see will be higher – but will include
shuttle pick up from the airport and all hotel ac-
commodations for the duration of the congress.
A monthly newsletter has started going out to help
keep you informed – and hopefully entice you to join
us in Ontario next fall for this incredible international
experience!
Our IFAJ sponsorship activities are in full swing
and we’d like to acknowledge Syngenta, FCC and
BASF for leading the way as our first confirmed plati-
At an AFRRI monitoring visit near the Kagadi
num, gold and silver sponsors, respectively. A full list Kibaale radio station, a ceremony to recognize
of our sponsors, along with information on how you the contribution of George Atkins. Various com-
too can join this exclusive group, can be found on our munity members and radio station staff spoke at
website, www.ifaj2011.com or you can contact Jane the memorial.
Robinson at jane.robinson@adfarmonline.com for de-
tails.
We’d also like to recognize the contributions of the
two congress development sponsors, Syngenta and Pio-
neer Hi-Bred. Their support has helped get our plan-
ning activities off the ground and promotions under-
way.
THE FARM JOURNALIST, OCTOBER 2010 3
Eat meat free one day a week?
By Peggy Strankman—Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
A
ccording to what you read on some tat.
environmental group websites, eating So if we take the advice of environmental
meat free one day a week will save groups like World Wildlife Fund Canada or the
the world from a changing climate. David Suzuki Foundation and decrease our meat
However, simplistic solutions are easy to put on consumption, what land use changes might we ex-
bumper stickers and fund raising letters, but pect? It seems unlikely the answer is more conser-
rarely take all the factors into account. vation acreage. In all likelihood the demand for
Let’s put some critical thinking skills to beans and lentils would cause native grassland to
work. be converted to cultivated fields.
Eating less meat (protein) likely means peo- To keep a native prairie grass ecosystem
ple will choose another protein source such as healthy it needs a grazing animal. Research has
beans, lentils, or grains. Does that actually mean shown that Canadian prairie grasses evolved under
less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are pro- disturbances like fire and grazing animals. That
duced? World Wildlife Fund Canada thinks the ecosystem needs disturbance to maintain healthy
answer is yes. They reference a 2006 study from functions. Knowledge from the scientific commu-
the University of Chicago that takes a look at the nity and modern technology is helping cattle pro-
energy footprints of different dietary choices. ducers become more sophisticated in their pasture
This energy/carbon footprinting is complex and range management. That management in turn
and a relatively new technique for energy effi- supports ecosystem health
ciency measurement of primary food production. Cattle are moved between pastures to keep
There are many challenges such as having access them eating lush grasses. Those are easier to digest
to quality data and knowing how to set the and so produce less GHG. Keeping those grassland
boundaries of the work, to name a couple. I con- ecosystems healthy means there is higher quality
fess to becoming a bit skeptical when the study habitat for song bird populations and other wildlife.
authors started using broad statements such as So we are doing more with less. More wildlife
‘per unit protein produced, meat production re- habitat, more healthy functioning grasslands, more
quires 6 to 17 times as much land as soy’. Do carbon sequestration, more efficient cattle so less
they really understand how livestock is raised GHG emissions.
and more importantly that all land is not created Now tell me again how eating less meat will
equal? Perhaps there is a grad student out there save the world?
with interest and time to critically review this
paper. Original: Saskatchewan Forage Council Newsletter
However, true or not, that comparison of land
used for different foods does bring to light an
important point. The major component in a bo-
vine’s diet is grass and forages. Beef cows will
spend at least 90 per cent of their time on pas-
tures which sequester carbon. The cattle that are
grown for beef graze about 80 per cent of their
time. They are eating some grain in feedlots for
the last 20 per cent. No matter which way you
think about it, those Canadian cattle are living on
native grasses or a domestic perennial grass
which can’t be digested by people. It is also im-
portant to note that all of that land which is gen-
erating an economic return and keeping rural
Photographer: Sandra Knoss
communities viable is also valued wildlife habi-
THE FARM JOURNALIST, OCTOBER 2010 4
Calgary Stampede Cont’d
(Continued from page 1)
Stampede Park, bringing them to the Agrium Ag-Tivity in the City
Discovery Centre or the 125th annual Heavy Horse Show and help-
ing them create a story showed me how fast-paced journalism can Send your
be. Social media was also a focus for all Stampede committees this
year and I was able to learn about the Agriculture Media Commit- stories of the
tee’s Twitter and blog goals. Talk about an incredible insider ex-
perience for a student!
2010 CFWF
For me, this internship coupled with my passion for agriculture Conference in
and my interest in communications, gave me an opportunity to
showcase my knowledge, gain experience and meet new people. Moose Jaw to
Learning directly from professional communicators was truly the office@cfwf.ca
opportunity of a lifetime and I challenge all CFWF members to in-
volve students in your work and volunteer activities whenever pos- to be included
sible. Most students are eager to learn and the more opportunities
there are for us to gain “real world” experience today, the better in the next
equipped we will be to lead the next generation in agriculture to-
morrow.
edition of the
Special thanks to Prof. Owen Roberts and past Agriculture Me- Farm Journalist
dia Committee chairperson Leanne Niblock for establishing and
continuing this internship opportunity. Thank you also to Anne-
marie Pedersen and the 2010 Calgary Stampede agriculture team for
welcoming me this year.
Help welcome the world to Canadian Agriculture
H
elp welcome the have an ambitious agenda for
world to Canadian the expected 250+ registrants
agriculture in 2011. from IFAJ’s 29 member coun-
If your company or tries, including Canada
organization has sponsored Ca- We need sponsors. There
nadian Farm Writers’ Federa- are many sponsorship levels
tion (CFWF) annual confer- and opportunities available to
ences in the past – please read help CFWF present the IFAJ
on. 2011 event.
In 2011, the CFWF confer- So, if you are a regular
ence will be part of a very CFWF supporter – or looking
unique international event for a reason to get involved –
when Canada hosts the Interna- please take a look at the IFAJ
tional Federation of Agricul- 2011 sponsorship opportuni-
tural Journalists (IFAJ) 2011 ties. Or contact Jane Robinson,
Congress. That means the 2011 IFAJ 2011 sponsorship chair at
CFWF conference will be in- jane.robinson@adfarmonline.com
corporated into the IFAJ 2011 or 519-767-4653.
Congress. Please consider helping
For sponsors, this “joint” CFWF host the world next
event will deliver great expo- year!
sure and great connections. We
THE FARM JOURNALIST, OCTOBER 2010 5
Manitoba farm writers explore beer
By Crystal Jorgenson—MFWBA President
The Manitoba Farm Writ- head Rob McCaig explained partment of Food Science ex-
ers and Broadcasters Associa- why the panel exists and how plained to us why the bubbles
tion held a very successful their tastebuds are honed to in beer (and other food prod-
early summer tour on June 25 identify the best beer character- ucts) are so important. We also
on a favorite topic of many a istics -- all done to promote heard from malting barley
farm journalist and communi- Prairie malting barley to cus- farmer and Manitoba Agricul-
cator - “Barley and Beer in tomers from around the world. ture rep Scott Day, who shared
Manitoba”. Our lunch stop was the joys and challenges of
Our day began at the Ca- (fittingly) the Elephant and growing malting barley and
nadian Malting Barley Tech- Castle Pub where, while we getting it selected by maltsters.
nical Centre where they con- dined on fish and chips and We ended the day at Lux-
duct applied research and pi- hoisted an ale, guest lunch alune Gastropub where owners
lot scale malting and brewing speaker Lorelle Selinger, Cana- Chris and Lawrence Warwaruk
tests of registered Canadian dian Wheat Board barley mar- have found a winning combina-
barley varieties. We had a keter, talked about the interna- tion of innovative pub grub and
tour of the facilities used to tional presence of western Ca- beers of the world. Patrons get
commercially evaluate the nadian malting barley and its a “passport” to keep track of
malting and brewing charac- value to farmers as an export their brew sampling from visit
teristics of new and existing commodity. to visit, which is necessary if
varieties. Next, we witnessed Next up, we traveled to the you want to try some of their
their beer-tasting panel of University of Manitoba where 125 brands of international
experts in action. CMBTC Dr. Martin Scanlon in the De- beers.
ECFWA member retires Media Guidelines for agricultural safety
Long time ECFWA stories
member Gary Struthers
retired this fall after work- Next time you’re tempted to use a photo
ing as a communications of a cute little kid “driving” a combine, climb-
officer for the Ontario Fed- ing a stack of bales or sitting on Grandad’s
eration of Agriculture for knee on the old Allis-Chalmers, pull out these
11 years. Media Guidelines from the Canadian Agricul-
For more information, tural Safety Association. Check them out on
go to Owen Roberts’ blog the Media page of
here www.planfarmsafety.ca. Then choose a
“safe” farm safety photo or video from the
Media Gallery on the same site. And very
soon, CASA will be posting broadcast quality
B-roll for free download.
Contact Diane Wreford at (204)275-8874
for special ag safety requests.
THE FARM JOURNALIST, OCTOBER 2010 6
Students begin a new year of agricultural communications
By Rebecca Hannam and Carol Moore
F
uture CFWF members are kicking off a Johnny Roberts, Rebecca Hannam, Matt Hawes and
new semester of learning at the Univer- Nicole Yada.
sity of Guelph. Students interested in CanACT, the Canadian Agricultural Communi-
agricultural communications have the cators of Tomorrow is a student-run club at the Uni-
opportunity to gain practical experience through versity that provides professional development op-
two on-campus groups – SPARK and CanACT. portunities to students interested in agriculture. The
SPARK is the acronym for Students Promot- club, the only Canadian chapter of the US-based
ing Awareness of Research Knowledge. Lead by ACT program, will be welcoming communications
Prof. Owen Roberts, SPARK writers participate in professionals as guest speakers to campus bi-weekly
a unique training program throughout the semester this fall.
and produce written and multimedia pieces fo- CanACT activities are coordinated by six execu-
cused on agri-food research. tive members: Amanda Brodhagen, Jillian Craig,
Stories produced by these young communica- Victoria Arthur, Kim McCaw, Elizabeth Boekhorst
tors this fall will appear in the University’s Re- and Rebecca Hannam.
search magazine and various agriculture industry Opportunities with SPARK and CanACT are
publications. Some SPARK students also contrib- great learning tools for students with an interest in
ute to SPARK*AIR projects, producing research the communications field and this year’s activities
videos and radio broadcasts for Farms.com and a are just beginning! To keep tabs on these students
local cable station. throughout the semester visit
The SPARK program turns 21 years old this www.sparkuoguelph.wordpress.com and
academic year and is excited to welcome seven www.canact.ca.
students to the newsroom this semester:
Carol Moore, Joey Sabljic, Natalie Osborne,
Left: The 2010 SPARK students.
Below: CanACT members
You can also read
