Thoughts from AAEA Past President: Gregg Hillyer
By Gregg Hillyer, 1998 AAEA President, Progressive Farmer
My journey into journalism began growing up on the Cottonwood Valley Dairy Farm in southwest Iowa. I spent my youth helping my twin brother and Dad milk 35 Holsteins every day, twice a day, 365 days a year. Our farm was small, so I decided to try a different career path, with the understanding if things didn’t work out, I would return one day to the farm.
I never returned.
My uncle, John Harvey, encouraged me to study ag journalism. He had a distinguished career working for companies that included Reiman Publications, Successful Farming, Farm Journal and the DuPont Company. He was also AAEA President (1980) and a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient (2011). My only experience writing to that point was an occasional paper for high school English and as secretary of my local 4-H Club.
I survived the journalism courses at Iowa State University and was hired as a Field Editor at Wallaces Farmer. Even though I was green, Al Bull and Monte Sesker apparently saw something they liked to kick start my career. I primarily wrote about crops and forages, and being the new kid on staff, was the designated sheep editor. I knew nothing about the species but did my research so no one would pull the wool over my eyes as I banged out copy on a manual Royal typewriter.
In those days, the Farm Progress editors were also largely responsible for many of the big tasks at the Farm Progress Show–parking cars, directing traffic, Porta Potty detail (don’t ask), pulling vehicles out of the mud and all of those other tasks that fall under “other responsibilities as assigned” on your job description. Why didn’t anyone warn me?
Opportunity came calling and I moved to St. Louis to be Associate Editor at Soybean Digest. Six months later, the editor left and I was promoted. Here I was, 25 years old and now the editor of a national farm publication. I had to learn fast and made plenty of mistakes, but somehow didn’t get fired.
Shortly after arriving at Soybean Digest, I started attending AAEA meetings. I was in awe to be in the same room as the giants in our industry listed at the top of farm magazine mastheads. I began volunteering to serve on committees because someone told me the pay was good. Why didn’t anyone warn me? Yes, the pay was nonexistent, but the rewards have been priceless. Getting involved in AAEA was one of the best decisions I ever made.
AAEA was certainly more socially focused when I first joined, but it gradually started hosting professional improvement training like the photo school and writing workshop. Patty Orlowitz and I put together a Layout & Design Workshop and Larry Harper (Missouri Ruralist) began talking about a grand vision to create a foundation to help fund AAEA activities. That eventually led to the formation of the Professional Improvement Foundation. Paul Queck (Indiana Prairie Farmer) served as the first chair and I was co-chair.
Over the years, I continued my involvement in AAEA. I’ve served in some capacity on nearly every AAEA committee, including chair of the AAEA 75th Anniversary, and was part of the Ag Media Summit organizing committee. None of us at that initial meeting in Kansas City could ever have imagined that AMS would evolve into the success it is today.
In 1998, it was my honor to serve as AAEA President. Why didn’t anyone warn me? The organization faced financial woes and was searching for a new Executive Director. Fortunately, we hired Den Gardner who helped put AAEA back on a firm foundation. Den and I also spearheaded the successful effort to achieve 501(c)(3) status for PIF.
As my career progressed, I held positions at Miller Meester Advertising, Hogs Today magazine and Progressive Farmer (DTN). Luckily, they all continued to support my AAEA work. Jack Odle, Del Deterling and Earl Manning (past AAEA Presidents and PF colleagues) provided wise counsel on many of my AAEA assignments.
One of the best assignments any AAEA member can choose is to take advantage of your membership in the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. Agriculture is a global industry and attending an IFAJ Congress is the best way to learn about another country’s ag prowess while also networking with journalists from around the world.
Attending multiple Congresses has made me a better journalist and the experience helps provide added perspective to my writing. I’ve traveled throughout Europe, Canada and South Africa. All have been exciting adventures, including when I nearly got stranded in Belgium after a volcanic eruption in Iceland shut down air traffic for several days.
AAEA has been a strong supporter of IFAJ and the U.S. has hosted three Congresses, the most recent in Minneapolis in 2019. Steve Werblow, current IFAJ Vice President, is now in line to be elected to the top post. In addition, IFAJ has used AAEA as a model to strengthen its professional improvement efforts and to create its own foundation.
Why didn’t someone warn me? I’m glad they didn’t. Otherwise, I never would have joined AAEA or enjoyed the rich rewards of friendships from ag communicators both near and far.