Members of the BGAJ joined Alltech for a dinner to celebrate 20 years of the IFAJ Young Leaders Programme.
Alltech has sponsored the initiative since its inception, taking emerging leaders from guilds around the world and supporting their attendance at an IFAJ Congress and bespoke Boot Camp.
During the boot camp, the under 35s are provided with expert training and feedback through on-site writing or broadcasting assignments.
It further develops young leaders’ skills through formal in-class training. As a part of their learning experience, award winners will write or record spot news during the duration of the congress. Their stories will be made available to the general media and posted on the IFAJ website.
L-R: Alltech Vice President Matthew Smith, Alltech communications manager Jenn Norrie, FG’s Alex Black, Guild chairman Ben Pike, Alltech Vice President Europe Patrick Charlton. Centre is a statue of the company’s founder Dr Pearse Lyons.
Photograph: Kevin Milner
Ahead of the BGAJ AGM, Alltech hosted a dinner at the Tobie Norris pub in Stamford where members of the company’s senior leadership team joined several members of the Guild to mark the 20th anniversary.
Former recipients of the award Hannah Binns, Alex Black and Ben Pike attended.
Hannah, a Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual, travelled to the Denmark congress in 2022, while Farmers Guardian’s Head of News and Business, Alex Black, joined the Switzerland congress last August.
Guild Chair, and Eve Communications Director, Ben Pike, was a 2015 scholar who travelled to New Zealand with the programme.
“This is a special initiative and one that any former young leader will recommend to those who want to grow their experience and network,” Ben said.
“We are hugely appreciative of Alltech’s support which has given an amazing opportunity to so many BGAJ members.”
The 2025 congress will be held in Kenya in October, and applications for the programme are open now to anyone aged under 35 who is involved in agricultural journalism or communications.
To find out more and to apply, go to: https://www.ifaj.org/our-programmes/young-leaders/#1482252146710-607024e0-d868.
BGAJ Young Leaders (2009-present)
Alex Black (2024)
Hannah Binns (2022)
Ruth Wills (2021)
Abi Kay (2019)
Melanie Jenkins (2017)
Caroline Stocks (2016)
Ben Pike (2015)
Alison Mann (2014)
Aly Balsom (2012)
Andrew Watts (2009)
