July 26, 2022

Alltech awards young leaders in agricultural communications at 2022 Ag Media Summit in US

During the 2022 Ag Media Summit (AMS), held in Raleigh, North Carolina, the United States, on July 16–20, agricultural communications students were honored for their excellence, professionalism and leadership.

The Livestock Publications Council (LPC) Student Award Program, sponsored by Alltech, provides travel scholarships for four students to attend AMS. This year's finalists were Lydia Johnson (Iowa State University), Faye Smith (Kansas State University), Lindsey Okuley (The Ohio State University) and Sydney Garrett (Kansas State University).

Following a competitive application and interview process, Johnson was awarded the LPC Forrest Bassford Student Award. She is a junior and currently serves as the president of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council and senior director of communications in student government.

Johnson is also an active member of the National Agri-Marketing Association, Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. She spends her time as an agricultural communications peer mentor and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ambassador.

In addition to her involvement on campus, Johnson is a communications student worker for the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative. She has completed internships with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, National FFA Organization and "The Big Show" on Newsradio 1040 WHO.

"Alltech is proud to support the next generation of agricultural communicators as the ambassadors and voice of our industry," Jenn Norrie, Alltech's communications manager for North America and Europe, said. "As media platforms evolve, these young leaders are playing an instrumental role in sharing stories of farmers and ranchers and helping to educate the urban population on where and who their food comes from."

The Forrest Bassford Student Award was established in 1992 to honor Bassford's contributions to the Livestock Publications Council and passion for supporting young people in the agricultural communications field.

- Alltech