By Courtney Leeper Girgis, Future Ag Communicators Committee Chair
Students from Iowa State University, University of Arkansas, and Tarleton State University were among those recognized as rising ag communicators this year at Ag Media Summit in Kansas City.
Dr. James Evan Scholarship Recipient: Kesley Holdgrapher
Kesley Holdgrafer, now a senior studying agricultural communications and public relations at Iowa State, received this year’s prestigious Dr. James Evans Scholarship in the amount of $3,000. The scholarship recognizes undergraduate students who exemplify the dedication and commitment of Dr. James Evans, who has had a tremendous impact on the establishment and growth of agricultural communications programs.
Selection for this award is made based on an in-person interview and demonstration of excellent ag communications career-related experiences, writing skills, leadership activities, and academic achievements.
Holdgrafer has written a weekly column called Kesley’s Corral in the Iowa Farm Bureau’s publication, The Spokesman since 2017. She has produced broadcast reports for both radio and television with local stations and RFD-TV, and she has completed summer internships with Iowa Beef Industry Council and Bader Rutter.
“All of these experiences have allowed Kesley to find her voice in agricultural communications and given her the confidence to advocate for the industry,” said Jenna Stevens, executive director of the CAC Media Group, in a letter of support for Holdgrafer. “She is passionate about making sure people understand where their food comes from and celebrating the successes of farmers and their families.”
Past Presidents’ Award: Jackie Miller
Jackie Miller, also a senior studying agricultural communications at Iowa State, was honored with the Past Presidents’ Award in the amount of $1,500. This scholarship recognizes Miller for her dedication, hard work, and career-related experiences.
Miller has completed communications, product marketing, and retail sales internships with the Iowa State University Department of Agronomy, Sycamore Media, KOEL Ag – News Talk, Iowa Select Farms/Jeff and Deb Hansen Foundation, Vermeer Corporation, and Elanco Animal Health. She also participated in the National Student Exchange Program, through which she studied for a year at Oklahoma State University.
“As someone who has had the privilege of observing her growth and development, I can attest to her intelligence, dedication, and passion,” said Kennedy Phillips, brand experience lead with Vermeer Corporation, in a letter of support for Miller. “What sets Jackie apart is her work ethic. … Jackie is proactive in seeking opportunities to enhance her knowledge and skills. She understands the value of experience.”
Both Holdgrafer and Miller received reimbursement of up to $1,000 in travel expenses to attend AMS.
First Place Student Contest Winner: Natasha Hightower
Natasha Hightower, a recent graduate of the agricultural education, communications, and technology program at University of Arkansas, received first place in the new student contest for her research-based marketing plan focused on attracting Gen Z to ACN membership.
Second Place: Alison Chaney and Kyndal King
Alison Chaney and Kyndal King, recent graduates of the agricultural communications program at Tarleton State University, received second-place for their marketing plan.
Hightower, Chaney, and King received reimbursements for their travel expenses to Ag Media Summit. During the student luncheon, Hightower credited the contest and travel stipend for allowing her to attend AMS for the first time.
“The quality of entries we witnessed during the judging process proves that our ACN students are ready for the workforce,” said Jenny Ring, content marketing specialist with Precision Planting and an ACN Future Ag Communicators Committee member who helped judge the contest. “Through programs such as the Student Contest and sponsoring AMS attendance, we are complementing their education and boosting their skillset, so they are highly desirable future employees for the agriculture industry.”
Hightower, Chaney, and King shared more about their contest entries and experience in this July Byline article.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Dr. James Evans Scholarship is made possible through an endowment from ACN member Lyle E. Orwig. A big thank you goes to Lyle for his support of students!
Grants from the Professional Improvement Foundation funded the Past Presidents’ Scholarship and the Student Contest. Thank you to all who give to PIF!
Get Involved in 2024-2025
As the Future Ag Communicators Committee prepares for another year of connecting with the next generation of our industry, mentorship has been on our minds. Mentorship was the No. 1 answer students at AMS gave when we asked them what they would like to see more of in professional-student organization interactions.
You can sign up to connect with ag communications programs across the country as a guest speaker by adding your name to our Speakers Bureau listing. We’ll be sharing this list with ag comm faculty once again in the coming weeks.
We’ll keep you informed of new opportunities to connect with students, but also please feel free to reach out to FAC Committee co-chairs Courtney Girgis, [email protected], and Chelsea Dinterman, [email protected], if you have ideas or suggestions. – Girgis serves on the ACN Board of Directors and is co-chair of the Future Ag Communicator’s Committee