By Betty Haynes, ACN President-Elect
In spring of 2022, I was a 25-year-old magazine editor and at the Illinois Beef Association.
I had just finished grad school, was newly married, and had landed my dream job in livestock publications.
Life was good. But something was missing.
I told my boss at the time, Josh St. Peters, that I didn’t feel like I was growing professionally. I was hungry to become a better writer, a better photographer, and a better communicator.
He suggested I reach out to the Prairie Farmer editor and Illinois cattlewoman, Holly Spangler, for advice.
Needless to say, the rest was history.
A guiding hand
I dialed her number as nervous as a cat. I only knew Holly in passing and was admittedly pretty intimidated by her accolades. But she answered, and in the Holly Spangler way she does, made me feel seen, heard, and like I wasn’t an idiot.
I got the courage to ask her if she’d edit a cover story I was working on about ranch succession planning, and she agreed.
From there, her advice was simple:
- Join the Ag Communicators Network
- Register for Ag Media Summit
- Enter the ACN awards contest for story and photo feedback.
And so, that day I did all three.
Fast forward to my first Ag Media Summit in Raleigh, NC. I was nobody Betty Haynes from nowhere Illinois with basically no confidence.
I registered for the professional development, but what really stuck with me were the connections. ACN was this incredible group of literal competitors that genuinely all wanted the best for one another.
I flew home that year with the Emerging Photographer award, a job offer at Prairie Farmer (sorry Josh), dozens of new friends, and a fire for ACN.
Ag communications connections
2022 Betty would be flabbergasted to know what ACN made possible for 2026 Betty.
That one nervous phone call to Holly started a chapter of my life I couldn’t have dreamed of.
Today, I’m a freelancer, photographer of the year, and ACN president-elect. ACN has brought me some of my closest friends, coolest international experiences, confidence in my work, and the ability to create while staying home with my girls.
So, here’s your sign to make the phone call. It just might change your life.
–Haynes is a freelancer for Midwestern Lens.