A year of excellence for ACN members, and a lifetime of excellence for two honorees were celebrated at the annual Awards Luncheon at Ag Media Summit, July 29 in Rogers, Arkansas. Thank you to Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, for the photos. 2025 AMS Photo Album

Aaron Hager, weed scientist at the University of Illinois, earned the ACN Distinguished Service Award. For more than two decades, the Illinois native and longtime weed specialist has been a reliable source of no-nonsense, practical information for ag journalists across the country. Pam Smith nominated Hager. 

Gregg Hillyer, longtime editor at Progressive Farmer, earned the ACN Lifetime Achievement Award. His award-winning career has included stints at several publications, including Wallace-Waters Farmer, Soybean Digest, and Farm Journal. The Iowa native was nominated by Greg Lamp and Kelly Schwalbe.

Other award winners are:

• Andy Markwart Horizon Award: Courtney Leeper Girgis, Rooted Communications
• ACN Photographer of the Year: Rob Mattson, Noble Research Institute
• ACN Writer of the Year: Katie Knapp, The Ag Photographer
• ACN Designer of the Year: Amy Gohman, CHS

 

Aaron Hager, ACN Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award recipient, middle, with nominee Pam Smith, DTN/Progressive Farmer, and Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.

Amy Gohman, left, CHS, earned the ACN Designer of the Year. She is pictured with ACN President Joy Crosby.

Courtney Leeper Girgis, left, was named the Andy Markwart Horizon Award recipient. She is pictured with Julie Deering, Past President of the Professional Improvement Foundation. 

Gregg Hillyer, center, earned the ACN Lifetime Achievement Award. He is pictured with Matthew Wilde (left), CHS, which sponsors the award, and Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.

Katie Knapp, center, earned the Writer of the Year award. She is pictured with Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.

Rob Matson, right, earned the Photographer of the Year award. He is pictured with Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.