Entries are now open for the Guild of Agricultural Journalists’ Public Engagement Award and members are encouraged to apply before the deadline on 1 September.
The award, now in its second year, and once again, sponsored by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) carries a £750 prize pot and an invitation to the guild harvest lunch, and celebrates the work of journalists, broadcasters and podcasters who shine a light on individuals and businesses who go above and beyond to tell the story of more sustainable UK food production.
Carl Edwards, LEAF Director, Education and Public Engagement said: “LEAF is delighted to sponsor the BGAJ Public Engagement Award for a second year. This important award, highlights the fantastic work that farmers across the world are doing to enthuse and inspire the public about the importance of more climate positive farming and food systems.
“One of the founding principles of LEAF when we were set up in 1991, was to help farmers to engage more effectively with the public to demonstrate how they are farming with care for the environment to meet climate change challenges.”
Mr Edwards added:
“Connecting people of all ages and backgrounds with farming and food production is one of LEAF’s core objectives. Through LEAF Open Farm Sunday and our work within LEAF Education to engage future generations with the agri-food industry, we know what impact this can have. By reaching out as an industry we can build trust and understanding, highlight the role of farming in addressing the climate crisis and, crucially inspire future generations into the industry. This award is all about showcasing the journalists, broadcasters and podcasters who are brining this all to life.”
Longstanding GAJ member, Cedric Porter and Vice Chairman of LEAF will judge the entries, alongside Carl Edwards from LEAF and last year’s winner of the Public Engagement Award Emily Ashworth.
Judges are looking for stories that showcase people who realise how important it is for consumers to understand where their food comes from and take the opportunity to get the message across.
Examples include articles about farmers who have opened their farms to the public, created a direct sales channel, used social media to communicate farming’s contribution to consumers or used technology to tell their traceability story.
Send your entries to mcedric@supplyintelligence.co.uk before midnight on Friday, September 1. Print stories and broadcasts published from August 2022 are eligible.
For more information on LEAF visit www.leaf.eco
