Andy Markwart Horizon Award
Andy Markwart
The Andy Markwart Horizon Award, presented by the ACN Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF), is an annual award given to an ACN member who embodies the youthful vigor, energy, passion, dedication and creativity shown by Andy in his volunteer work for ACN for many years. Andy, the editor of The Furrow, passed away in 2006 from heart problems.
Andy Castillo Receives 2026 Andy Markwart Horizon Award
Andy Castillo, editor of farm tech and machinery at Farm Progress, received the 2026 Andy Markwart Horizon Award at this year’s Ag Media Summit.
The ACN Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) presents the Horizon Award each year to an ACN member 35 or younger who shows the youthful vigor, energy, passion, dedication and creativity that Andy Markwart brought to his volunteer work for ACN. Markwart, former editor of The Furrow, passed away in 2006.
Castillo didn’t grow up on a farm. He came to agricultural journalism by way of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, where he served as a firefighter, followed by nearly a decade in television, newspaper and B2B reporting. When he joined Farm Progress, the learning curve was steep, and he took it head-on.
“With only a few weeks under his belt, he put together a speaking program for the National Farm Machinery Show,” wrote Mike Wilson, senior executive editor at Farm Progress. Since then, Castillo has led the new product coverage team at the Farm Progress Show and interviewed dozens of sources for a series on how AI and data centers are affecting rural communities and farmland.
Eric Braun, senior executive for content at Farm Progress, said Castillo also built a tool that changed how the team plans farm show coverage and has led editors in using AI for newsgathering.
In his award essay, Castillo described how last year’s IFAJ World Congress in Kenya reshaped his view of agriculture. Meeting subsistence farmers who worked simply to survive, he wrote, “Somewhere in that dust, something clicked for me.” He came home convinced that good agricultural reporting can shine a light on solutions that help people.
That conviction shows up in his service. Castillo serves on ACN’s Membership Committee and IFAJ’s Freedom of the Press Committee.
“I knew Andy Markwart as a friend and a colleague,” Wilson wrote. “Andy Castillo demonstrates the same passion, dedication and commitment to our profession.”
The award’s $2,500 stipend supported Castillo’s attendance at this year’s IFAJ Congress in Croatia. He plans to bring those insights back to ACN through articles and by mentoring young agriculture communicators.
Castillo joins a distinguished group of past Horizon Award recipients, and he carries Andy Markwart’s legacy forward with every story he tells.
Courtney Girgis
Courtney Girgis has been telling agriculture’s story since she was 17. She began her career as a writer and editor at a nonprofit agricultural research institute. In 2021, she launched her own freelance business, Rooted Communications. Since then, she has written for publications and organizations including Successful Farming, FFA New Horizons, Solutions from the Land, Mission: Water, Oklahoma Living and Missouri Farmers Care.
Girgis has attended nearly every Ag Media Summit since 2012. She credits ACN and its members with opening doors, offering mentorship and helping shape her career.
“I like to weave facts and contextual information into the emotions and stories of the human experience to make readers care, learn and understand the world in new ways,” she said.
In her application for the award, Courtney wrote: “Agriculture has always been part of my life. But I realized early on that not everyone who eats understands or appreciates how—and who—grows their food. It’s been my mission to help tell the stories of agriculture, both to agricultural and non-agricultural audiences, since I was 17… I did not know Andy, but my guess is he would have been among those I would have enjoyed learning from.”
Wyatt Bechtel
The Andy Markwart Horizon Award, presented by the Agriculture Communicators Network’s Professional Improvement Foundation is an annual award given to an ACN member who embodies the youthful vigor, energy, passion, dedication and creativity shown by Andy in his volunteer work for ACN for many years.
Andy left a wonderful legacy. We’re pleased to announce this year’s winner who epitomizes Andy’s talent, spirit and passion.
That’s pretty evident by what people who have worked with this year’s winner have stated.
Excerpts include:
“His work makes a difference in the U.S. beef industry. He has a helpful and unassuming communication and leadership style, as well as knowledge of the market that is second to none.”
“His stories revealed both his understanding of many complex subjects, but also his desire to help producers be successful with new ideas and innovations in management.”
Award winners will receive a $2,500 stipend, which can be used for attending the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists annual meeting, the AMS meeting, or a special class, seminar, or workshop. ACN members 35 years or younger are eligible for this award.
Andy Markwart had a passion for life and agriculture, and this year’s winner clearly exhibits that. This year’s award will help give our winner the opportunity to afford the tools to truly serve the people that sustain the environment, food security, rural economies, and most importantly, life.
Betty Haynes
Betty Haynes was born and raised on a corn and soybean farm in central Illinois. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a MA in Communication, she joined the team at the Illinois Beef Association. In 2022, she became an associate editor with Prairie Farmer.
“I can say without qualification that Betty is the finest young agricultural journalist I’ve worked with in my 25 years of agricultural journalism. Betty is an eager learner and careful observer who loves agriculture and whose roots run deep in the industry,” said executive editor Holly Spangler.
In her application for the award, Betty wrote: “Just one year ago, I was working as Illinois Beef magazine editor when Holly Spangler encouraged me to become an ACN member, attend Ag Media Summit and submit some of my work in the ACN awards. To my surprise, I was awarded Emerging Photographer of the Year. Soon after, I was hired as Prairie Farmer, associate editor – a position that 5 years ago I could have only dreamt of…Each opportunity has undoubtedly stemmed from ACN involvement. But even more importantly, I’ve become connected with one the most incredible groups of people – all so incredibly talented, supportive of one another, and passionate for ag journalism. Their enthusiasm has been contagious, and I’ve been eager to get involved.”
Congratulations, Betty!