Deadline is April 5, 2024
2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners Announced!
LAGRANGE, GA – Two former presidents of the Ag Communicators Network (ACN), have been named ACN’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for 2023.
Greg Lamp and Karen McMahon were selected based on their outstanding leadership and professional and personal achievements, emphasizing contributions made toward improving the viability and value of the Ag Communicators Network.
Lamp, a recent retiree and 40-year media industry veteran, has served ACN through the years in various capacities. Throughout his years as an ACN member, Lamp always has dedicated his time selflessly to the organization and led with integrity. During his career, Lamp was editor-in-chief of C Magazine at CHS, Inc., following an 18-year stint as the editor of Corn & Soybean Digest at Penton Agriculture. Before these roles, Lamp was the features and photo editor at Farm Journal for nine years.
Lamp is an ACN Master Writer and Master Photographer, with two first-place writing awards, four first-place photo awards, and several design awards. In addition to his numerous writing and photo awards from ACN, he has received awards from the following organization: Livestock Publications Council, Minnesota Magazine and Publishing Association, Cooperative Communications Associations, and National Agri-Marketing Association.
In his volunteer time, Lamp has been a devoted leader in the association through activities of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. He has dedicated hours of time to the local community through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of St. Paul.
McMahon leaped into service within ACN after attending her first photography seminar in 1979. Her support and leadership have raised thousands of dollars in sponsorship for the association’s annual conferences.
Within ACN and the ag communications industry, McMahon’s work has been recognized by ACN and prestigious organizations such as Minnesota Magazine & Publication Association, the Livestock Publications Council, IFAJ Council, American Society of Business Publications, and Oscar in Agriculture.
Now retired, McMahon spent most of her career at Farm Industry News with two years as a contract writer and the next 13 years as editor. McMahon says she’s prouder of the work and awards her staff and freelance writers earned than any award she won.
Both had extensive and rewarding careers in Ag communications and “have served the organization and represented the Ag Communications industry with distinction,” said Gregg Hillyer, editor in chief of DTN The Progressive Farmer, in his nomination letter for Lamp and McMahon.
The Ag Communicators Network has named a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient since 1990. The award is sponsored annually by CHS, Inc, and will be presented at the 2023 Ag Media Summit in Palm Springs, Calif.
The ACN Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) is designed to honor current and former members of the organization, including those who may be deceased, for outstanding professional and personal achievements and leadership.
The award places specific emphasis on contributions made toward improving the viability and value of The Ag Communicators Network. This honor is reserved for those who have adhered to high standards of professionalism in all of their endeavors.
Thank You to Our 2023 LAA Sponsor CHS!
Special thanks to CHS for supporting this award!
Past Award Recipients
2023 Greg Lamp and Karen McMahon
2022 John Walter
2021 Betsy Freese
2020 Larry Dreiling and Gene Johnston
2019 JoAnn Alumbaugh and Jim Patrico
2018 Tom Curl and Lynn Henderson
2017 Paul Queck
2016 Jack Odle and Harlen Persinger
2015 Len Richardson
2014 Del Deterling and Joe Dan Boyd
2013 Jack Pitzer and Wayne Swegle
2012 Earl Manning
2011 John Harvey and Fred Myers
2010 Paul Weller
2009 Bill Fleming, Jim Lilly and Betty Lou Denton
2008 Claude Gifford and Larry Harper (Heritage Award)
2007 Wilson Carnes, Jim Thomson (Heritage Award), Cordell Tindall (Heritage Award), Charlie Scruggs (Heritage Award) and Bob Rupp
1990 Wheeler McMillen