By Courtney Girgis, ACN Board Member and Chair, Future Ag Communicators Committee
This year, the Future Ag Communicators Committee reviewed a competitive bunch of 13 applications in the Ag Communicators Network’s Scholarship Program.
Thanks to Lyle E. Orwig’s endowment of the Dr. James Evans Scholarship and the Professional Improvement Foundation (and your generous donations to PIF), we are able to offer three scholarships to Ag Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) members this year: the Dr. James Evans Scholarship ($3,000) and two Past Presidents Scholarships ($2,000 each).
The top eight applicants scored within 20 (out of 400) points of each other, and our finalists rose to the top in a three-way tie: Morgan Anderson, Maci Carter and Megan Clark.
The first round of judging scored students based on internships and career-related experiences, a writing sample, leadership activities, academic achievements, and a professional recommendation. The second round will be based on an interview at Ag Media Summit, where the students will vie for the top scholarship named in honor of Dr. James Evans for his tremendous contributions to the establishment and growth of ag communications programs. The three finalists will each receive stipends of up to $1,000 to help them travel to and attend Ag Media Summit in Rogers, Arkansas, in July.
The Finalists
We asked our star students a few questions to get to know them better. Here are their words.
Morgan Anderson
Hometown: Amanda, Ohio
College: Ohio University
Major: Journalism: News & Information
Expected Graduation: May 2026
What are your summer plans? This summer, I’m excited to intern with Rural Media Group’s RFD-TV in Nashville, Tennessee. In their newsroom, I will continue working in agricultural communication with an emphasis on broadcast— my specialty.
Why did you choose ag communications as a career path and is there a particular part of the industry you hope to work in? I believe a life well-lived is one where people and purpose collide, and I strive to embody this in all I do. From the local farm to the small-town football team, I see a greater story in everything that defines and connects us. As a student, agricultural communicator, and lifelong learner, I aim to bring these stories to life. My passion for storytelling and boundless curiosity has driven me to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Journalism: News & Information (broadcast journalism) at Ohio University’s nationally ranked E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.
My career mantra is simple: “Let’s put agriculture on the news!” In newsrooms where agriculture is often overlooked, I pitch and produce enterprise stories that are both compelling and impactful. I specialize in localizing global and national issues as an agricultural broadcast journalist. Long-term, my goal is to work in television news, specializing as an agricultural multimedia journalist and reporter with a goal of one day becoming an anchor.
What does it mean to you to be a scholarship recipient? To be an Agricultural Communications Network scholarship recipient is an honor. This scholarship will provide crucial support as I continue to pursue hands-on experiences in agricultural media, deepening my understanding of industry issues while refining my storytelling and production skills. Thank you to all at ACN who have made this scholarship possible, as I can assure you that an investment in Morgan Anderson will yield a great return. Additionally, a special thanks to my professional mentors at WOUB Public Media and Ohio’s Country Journal/Ohio Ag Net— two entities that have been formative in shaping me as a journalist. Because of them, I feel confident, multi-faceted, and driven to enter any newsroom.
Is there anything else you’d like to share? For the 2023-2024 school year, I was blessed to have been elected to serve as a National FFA Officer; specifically, as the National Eastern Region Vice President. During my year of service as a National FFA Officer, no two days were the same, but the core mission remained constant: to advocate for agricultural education. By the numbers: I represented over 1 million FFA members; facilitated 82 workshops and delivered 23 keynote speeches; completed 22 stakeholder visits; traveled to 21 states and Japan on 69 flights— logging more than 100,000 miles.
As you can see from those numbers alone, it’s safe to say it was a year of growth, skill-building, and continuous learning! I’m walking away from that year with a deeper appreciation for career & technical education, the power of human connection, and the importance of listening more than you speak.
Maci Carter
Hometown: Marion, Ohio
College: Oklahoma State University
Major: Agribusiness and Agricultural Communications
Expected Graduation: May 2026
What are your summer plans? This summer, I am thrilled to be serving as a Brand and Communications Intern with Koch Agronomic Services in Wichita, Kansas. In this role, I look forward to developing a variety of communication pieces and contributing to marketing strategies across multiple brands within the company. This experience is allowing me to strengthen my professional skills, expand my understanding of brand communications, and pursue meaningful work that aligns with my passion for agriculture. I will also be taking advantage of valuable professional development opportunities that will support my growth well beyond this internship.
Why did you choose ag communications as a career path, and is there a particular part of the industry you hope to work in? Growing up on a family farm in central Ohio, agriculture has always been my roots and passion. From working ground for my dad to evenings in the show barn and Saturday mornings at the Farmers Share Breakfast with our local Farm Bureau, my most vivid childhood memories revolve around the industry. Some of my favorites include preparing meals for the field with my mom and eating dinner in the buddy seat beside my dad.
As I got older, I naturally gravitated toward organizations like 4-H, FFA and other agricultural groups. These experiences introduced me to the power of communication. Through public speaking, community outreach, and communications competitions, I discovered a deep passion for using my voice to share stories like those of my father and other agriculturalists.
Oklahoma State University offered the unique opportunity to pursue a dual degree in Agribusiness and Agricultural Communications, allowing me to turn my passions into a career. I appreciate the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the business side of agriculture while also learning how to craft and share accurate, compelling messages through various media platforms. This combination has helped me communicate more confidently and effectively within the industry.
When it came time to pursue internships, I quickly found myself drawn to communications-focused roles. My first summer in college, I interned as a farm broadcaster with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, and it was an experience that exceeded every expectation. It deepened my connection to Oklahoma agriculture and provided me with meaningful opportunities to share authentic stories from the field. While I love using recorded media to tell compelling stories, I also prioritize diversifying my experiences.
Last summer, I served as a Marketing and Event Planning Intern for John Deere in Austin, Texas. This experience expanded my skill set in developing marketing strategies, crafting value propositions for cutting-edge technology, and allowed me to bring my knowledge of agricultural producers to life by planning a customer-focused event at the Farm Progress Show.
This summer, I am eager to continue growing as a Brand and Communications Intern with Koch Agronomic Services. I know it will be a season of professional development and personal growth as I gain experience in a new part of the industry. While I may not have a specific job title in mind for following graduation, one thing remains certain: I am passionate about sharing the good news of agriculture and committed to utilizing my skills to amplify the voices and values of the industry I love.
What does it mean to be a scholarship recipient? I am incredibly honored and blessed to be a recipient of an Agricultural Communicators Network scholarship. Throughout my collegiate journey, I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous work and meaningful impact this organization has on agricultural communications. Seeing past recipients and their integrity only deepened my appreciation for what this recognition represents.
Agricultural communications is where my heart truly lies, and it is beyond rewarding to be acknowledged by such a respected organization within the industry I care so deeply about. I am proud to be part of this community and excited to continue growing as a communicator and advocate for agriculture.
Is there anything else you’d like to share? I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Agricultural Communicators Network for its support of students like me. This scholarship not only helps ease the financial burden of pursuing my education but also reaffirms my commitment to sharing the stories of agriculture with integrity and passion. I look forward to staying involved in this community and giving back in the future.
Megan Clark
Hometown: DeWitt, Iowa
College: Iowa State University
Major: Agricultural Communication and International Agriculture, minor in Animal Science
Expected Graduation: May 2026
What are your summer plans? I am with Merck Animal Health as a Cattle Sales Intern working with their team in Southwest Nebraska.
Why did you choose ag communications as a career path and is there a particular part of the industry you hope to work in? I chose agricultural communications as a career path because of the diverse career opportunities available within the major. My passions are writing, photography, and face-to-face communication, and all three can be accomplished with an agricultural communications degree. Additionally, this career path allows me to help bridge the gap between producers and consumers, as well as educate people on the industry that feeds and fuels the world. In my future career, I’d like to work within sales, marketing, or for a livestock publication.
What does it mean to you to be a scholarship recipient? I am extremely grateful and humbled to be a scholarship recipient at the 2025 Agricultural Media Summit. Since I first attended the conference when it was virtual in 2020, I knew it would be an annual event I wouldn’t want to miss. There truly is no better place for ag communicators to join together and network to make the industry more well-rounded. So, receiving a scholarship is an honor and I appreciate all of the donors who make these awards possible.
Is there anything else you’d like to share? I’d like to give a big thank you to the donors, application and interview committee, and others who help make these scholarships available. In addition, I’d like to thank the organizers of AMS who work tirelessly to host a high-quality convention that communicators everywhere look forward to attending each year. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed, and I look forward to my time at this year’s convention.
– Girgis owns Rooted Communications