By Harlen Persinger, AAEA 2021 Board Member
In the past few months, current AAEA members were able to view how journalists have used pictures to record the narrative of North American agriculture from the organization’s inception in 1920. Numerous components of rural life were published in a 100 page book, “A Century of Farm Photos”, which showcased how various technologies of farming and ranching evolved over 10 decades.
During a barbecue earlier this month, sponsored by the College of Agricultural Life Sciences (CALS) on the Iowa State University (ISU) campus located in Ames, Iowa, Harlen Persinger and Lynn Henderson presented copies of this book, with inscribed messages to ISU President, Dr. Wendy Wintersteen and the Dean and Endowed Chairman of CALS, Dr. Daniel Robison.
President Wintersteen and Dr. Robison were delighted to learn about the day-to-day work photographers chronicled and brought to their audience in an ever-changing landscape. “These are not only wonderful pictures but important ones and I look forward to learning more about the stories behind the photos,” Robison noted.
During a recent campus event at Iowa State University, Harlen Persinger (left),
and Lynn Henderson and his wife, Dr. Patricia Henderson (far right) presented a copy of
“A Century of Farm Photos” to ISU President, Dr. Wendy Wintersteen (second from left)
and Dean and Endowed Chairman of the College of Agricultural Life Sciences, Dr. Daniel Robison (middle).
(Photo Courtesy: Harlen Persinger)
This was a special day for Harlen and Lynn, who majored in Agricultural Journalism while attending ISU. Their college experience proved invaluable in establishing professional careers for nearly a half century. With dedication and continued support to AAEA, both of these ag communicators were selected to receive the AAEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Other members, all past presidents of the organization and ISU graduates that also received the AAEA Lifetime Achievement Award include: Bill Fleming, Paul Queck, Gene Johnston and Betsy Freese.
After receiving his degree in 1972, Harlen worked in agricultural public relations before starting his freelance business, Hlensphotos, in 2004. Lynn is the Publisher/Editorial Director of Agri Marketing magazine.
Both Harlen and Lynn are honorary members of AAEA.
Harlen Persinger established his freelance/photo business, Hlensphotos, in 2004 after a 30-year career working in company and agency corporate PR. Some past and present clients include: BASF, BouMatic, Cargill Inc., Challenger/Cat, Case-IH, Cottonseed Inc., Dow AgroSciences, Harvestore, Pfizer, Semex, Syngenta and Wesby, Wisconsin, Creamery Coop.
Persinger was AAEA Photographer of the Year in 2000, 2005 and 2008 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.