By Katie Knapp, ACN board member and international committee chair
The ACN Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) offered eight $1,250 stipends to help cover expenses for ACN members to attend the 2026 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress in Croatia this September. After an application process judged by ACN’s international committee, the stipends have been awarded to:
· Chelsea Dinterman, Successful Farming
· Mitchell Galloway, Michigan Farm Bureau
· Jenna Hasara, Lessing-Flynn
· Lisa Humphreys, Lisa& Communications
· Diane Meyer, Grant Company
· Ellis Vidmar, West Texas A&M University
· Andy Castillo, Farm Progress, 2026 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leader
· Katie Knapp, Freelance, ACN international committee chair
“IFAJ is a very important benefit of ACN membership and is often a springboard into career-long ACN involvement. The PIF board sees a lot of value in having strong U.S. representation at these events,” said Katie Dehlinger, PIF chair and Progressive Farmer editor-in-chief.
Watch for a story from each in an upcoming Byline. If you want to see where PIF stipends have sent ACN members before, the archive is full of past articles.
Are you interested in attending IFAJ Congress?
The registration period has been extended until the end of July with no late registration price hikes.
The 2026 IFAJ Congress will be held in and around Osijek, Slavonia and Baranja, Croatia, Sept. 16-20, 2026, with pre- and post-tours also offered. Visit the Congress website (https://ifaj2026.danh.hr/) for more information on the location and agenda.
-Knapp is a freelance writer, photographer and owner of The Ag Photographer.