By Elizabeth Hodges, ACN Regional Workshop Chair
The Bluegrass State welcomed 38 agricultural communicators to the ACN Spring Regional Workshop, hosted at Alltech headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, April 8-9.
Members sharpened their communication skills and embraced new tools for today’s storytelling. Each session left attendees inspired, equipped with fresh strategies to enhance their workflows and creative ideas.
The professional development programming began with Jennifer Elwell from the University of Kentucky, who led an interactive session on tailoring messages to specific audiences. Drawing from her extensive experience in reaching diverse groups, Elwell encouraged attendees to rethink their messaging strategies and refine their approach to audience engagement.
Jon Cherry, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, followed with a session on the power of photography in communication. Cherry emphasized the importance of using visuals to enhance messaging, offering technical tips for editing, and sharing his process for capturing decisive moments that add depth and interest to his work.
In today’s digital age, the role of artificial intelligence in communication is rapidly evolving. Peter Baniak, from the University of Kentucky, delivered a standout session on how AI is being successfully integrated into journalism. As organizations continue to explore the potential of AI, Baniak provided practical examples of its use, sparking curiosity and discussion among attendees.
Navigating communication during challenging agricultural cycles was another key focus of the workshop. Carey Brown, of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, addressed the importance of consistent messaging, even during down cycles in the ag markets. Brown reminded attendees that audiences remember who shows up and supports them, even when times are tough.
The day concluded with a reflective panel featuring Holly Spangler of Farm Progress and Jenn Norrie of Alltech. Norrie shared insights from Alltech’s global documentary, A World Without Cows, highlighting the challenges of combating misinformation in agriculture. Spangler, known for tackling tough topics in her work with Prairie Farmer, offered advice on how and when to address sensitive issues, both professionally and personally.
By the end of the day, attendees left Lexington renewed, inspired, and armed with new tools to better connect with farmers. Whether attending in person or online, participants walked away with actionable insights and a fresh perspective on today’s agricultural communication.
On Thursday, 14 attendees continued on to post-workshop tours of Lane’s End horse farm and Keeneland horse races. Stay tuned for future stories as members dive deeper into the wealth of information shared at the spring meeting.
The sessions from the regional meeting are available on our ACN YouTube page.
- Kentucky Agriculture, Building a Network and Knowing your Audience
- Jennifer Elwell, University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
- Refining your Photography Process
- Jon Cherry , photographer
- Maximizing efficiency with AI
- Peter Baniak, University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information
- Weathering the Ag Cycles (Marketing Communications Focus)
- Carey Brown, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association and Livestock Advertising Network
- When and How to Say Something Panel
- Holly Spangler Farm Progress executive editor and Jenn Norrie, Alltech Communications Manager, North America and Europe
Thank you to the supporters of the ACN Spring Regional Meeting: Alltech and ACN Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF).
–Hodges writes for Nebraska Farmer.