ACN Member Named 2023 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Award!

By Ashlyn Rochester, ACN Communications Specialist

Betty Haynes was nominated for the 2023 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders and was one of the top 10 winners! Haynes is one of the “ten outstanding young agricultural journalists and communicators” from the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). The award recognizes the winners’ professional skills and leadership potential.

Betty Haynes works at Prairie Farmer as an associate editor. Before this role, she managed and edited the Illinois Beef Association’s publication. She’s well known for her hard work as she was a winner at AMS for Emerging Photographer Award last year and placed in the Emerging Writer category.

We were lucky to get this star’s attention and ask her a few questions about the award:

1. How did it feel when you discovered you were one of the 2023 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders?

It was surreal to learn I had been selected as one of the 2023 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders. It’s such an honor to represent ACN and U.S. ag journalism in the program. I can’t brag enough about the opportunities, education and networking available through ACN.

2. What are you most excited for in the pre-conference boot camp?

I’m most excited to develop my skills as an ag journalist at Young Leaders Boot Camp. It will be such an incredible experience to learn from some of the best ag journalists in the world.

I’m also eager to meet my fellow young leaders, develop friendships, and learn about their country’s agriculture. As agriculture becomes increasingly more global, connections from across the world will be of incredible value.

3. What are you most excited about for the IFAJ Congress in Canada?

The tours sound incredible. I’m chomping at the bit to get a first-hand look at all Canadian ag has to offer. The Canadian Rockies, big skies and open prairies sound like a photographer’s dream.

The winners will be recognized at the IFAJ World Congress in Alberta, Canada this June. They also get special access to the pre-conference boot camp, which includes leadership and skills training.