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.
Courtney Girgis named 2025 Andy Markwart Horizon Award Winner!
The Ag Communicators Network (ACN) is proud to announce Courtney Girgis, founder of Rooted Communications, as the recipient of the 2025 Andy Markwart Horizon Award, recognizing her passion, energy, and creative commitment to the future of agricultural communications.
Presented annually in memory of Andy Markwart, former editor of The Furrow, the Horizon Award honors an ACN member who embodies the youthful vigor, leadership and dedication that Andy brought to his work and volunteer service before his untimely passing in 2006.The award is sponsored by the ACN Professional Improvement Foundation (PIF) and Gardner & Gardner Communications.
From an early age, Girgis knew she had a calling to tell agriculture’s story.
“Agriculture has always been part of my life,” she wrote in her award essay. “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.”
That mission has guided Girgis through more than a decade of impactful work, from her early days as a writer and editor at a nonprofit agricultural research institute to launching her own freelance business, Rooted Communications, in 2021.
Through her independent work, 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. Her storytelling blends vivid imagery, compelling writing, and a deep respect for the people and practices behind modern agriculture. Girgis is passionate about bringing readers into unfamiliar places, helping them learn, care and connect.
“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 shared.
As a freelance communicator, Girgis has also remained a committed and enthusiastic member of ACN. She credits the organization and its members for opening doors, offering mentorship and helping shape her career. She’s attended nearly every Ag Media Summit since 2012 and considers it one of her favorite professional development opportunities.
“I did not know Andy,” she wrote, “but my guess is he would have been among those I would have enjoyed learning from.”
Courtney Girgis joins a distinguished group of past Horizon Award recipients who have demonstrated early-career excellence and a strong trajectory of service and impact. Her work exemplifies the spirit of the award—and the legacy of Andy Markwart—with every story she tells.
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!