ACN Awards & Contests
We love celebrating excellence within our ag media community. The awards below are great member-only opportunities to get peer-to-peer feedback on your work, receive scholarships for travel and professional development, and be recognized for your dedication to the industry.
ACN Communication Awards
The ACN Communication Awards program is an opportunity to showcase your best work through design, photography, writing, marketing & communications, and digital & social media contests.
The Andy Markwart Horizon Award
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.
Fellows of ACN
Recognizing longtime members for their excellent service to the Ag Communicators Network
Distinguished Service Award
Honoring Leaders in the Agriculture Industry. The 2024 recipient is George Rehm, University of Minnesota (U of M) Extension soil fertility specialist.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Honoring members for outstanding professional and personal achievements and leadership, with specific emphasis on contributions toward improvement of the viability and value of ACN. Kelly Schwalbe is the 2024 recipient.
Student Contest
The Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) is offering this student contest to National ACT members to support attendance at the Agricultural Media Summit.
Student Scholarships
ACN is offering two scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing careers in agricultural communications: the Dr. James Evans Scholarship ($3,000) and the Past Presidents’ Scholarship ($1,500).