Diana McGowan’s reflections on IFAJ Congress 2024

Scottish Guild member Diana McGowan reflects on the highlights of last year’s IFAJ Congress in Switzerland.

‘Previous delegate reviews seem incredibly positive – I want to be part of it.’ ‘This would be a timely and fantastic boost for my career.’ ‘Put your hat in the ring – nothing ventured nothing gained.’ ‘If you don’t do it now, when will you?’. ‘Can I afford to take time away from the day job?’. These were just a few of the thoughts that raced through my head before I took the plunge to apply to the British Guild of Agricultural Journalist’s (BGAJ) Joe Watson bursary and opportunity to attend the IFAJ Congress in Switzerland in August 2024. The email I received confirming my application had been successful had to be read several times due to pure disbelief and excitement.

I arrived in Interlaken late on the eve of the conference and as I checked the map to see where I was going was met by a friendly “Hello – you must be a journalist too! I think the hotel is this way.”. That set the tone and was the real start to what was going to be an intense, informative, rewarding and memorable six days at my inaugural IFAJ congress. It was billed as a congress of ‘High Elevations, High Expectations.’ To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect but every bit of the programme sounded so interesting, it was in Switzerland – a country I have worked in previously and love…especially their cheeses, and one which I believed would have similar agricultural characteristics/challenges as we do in Scotland.

From registration onwards, there was a very special vibe about the congress and all it was going to offer its delegates. Everyone was friendly, interested in sharing their experiences and listening to others. We spoke a common language – we all wanted to understand how things worked and what didn’t, what were the challenges in farming, what influence farmers have with how and where their produce is priced and marketed, what relationships were like up and down the supply chain, what were the environmental threats, what opportunities exist within the sector, what innovations were improving productivity, what communication tools work in the current day, what are on the horizon and, what seemed to be a key ingredient to affirming things was, what did Swiss produce taste like!?

The organisers had laid on a stellar line up of speakers, events and tours which ensured that from sunrise to well after sunset our pens were scribbling notes, our cameras were clicking and we were communicating with one another. I jest not – it was non-stop. I’ve never been to such a well organised and relentless congress where every part of the day you are offered such a rich platter of information that kept you wide awake and alert because you were always being fed inspiring and genuinely interesting information that was 100% relevant to your profession. It was so refreshing to be part of. It was like an addiction the more you learnt and heard about the more you wanted and were energised by. There was no time for a ‘nanna nap’ or cheeky snooze. I kept pinching myself and thinking of the late Joe Watson, and how grateful I was to be at the conference via his bursary programme. Joe was someone I had come across early in my career and I felt his presence throughout.

I think one of the main reasons the congress worked so well was down to that common professional interest and the fact that people from all over the world, and at all different stages of their careers, were hungry to engage with each other and broaden their understanding and horizons about the industry we work in. The networking was brilliant, and I now have contacts from far and wide that I know I can call on for anything and vice-versa.

Did the congress deliver? To say it delivered is a gross understatement. It was organised with Swiss efficiency, passion and pride. The speakers were varied, spoke with honesty and openness and answered questions freely. I learned that despite common challenges and perceived solutions not everything is ‘greener on the other side of the fence’ regardless of where you are in the world. I also ate more than enough Swiss cheese and in all different formats – absolute delicious!

The warm glow of contentment and brain bursting with information overload that I had when I boarded the train to return home has not left me. I thank BGAJ for letting me attend the congress and to the IFAJ and all the other delegates for making the 2024 Congress so memorable. I know I have been part of something very special.

I would definitely recommend attending future congresses to other agricultural journalists and becoming more engaged with the BGAJ.