The search is on for budding agricultural and horticultural journalists who would welcome some guidance on writing techniques and get invaluable work experience at one of Britain’s leading rural publications or communication agencies.
The Guild’s new entrants training course has an excellent track record for attracting new blood into the industry, with many of today’s journalists working in the land-based industries receiving an early boost to their careers.
They include Emma Penny, editor of Farmers Guardian; Andrew Faulkner, joint editor of Profi International; James Andrews, Editor of Farmers Weekly’s Power Farming website; and Sally Charrett, deputy/features editor on Amateur Gardening.
Students on the 2013 course assembled at the Langar, Notts headquarters of John Deere Ltd.
The course is generously sponsored by John Deere Limited and hosted at the company’s headquarters in Langar, Nottingham, with local accommodation provided.
This year, it will be held on Sunday to Tuesday July 6 to 8, with three days’ work experience to follow. Applications for the 10 places must be received by the Saturday, May 2 deadline.
The first two full days at Langar involve lectures by the Guild’s journalism training consultant David Mascord, with practical exercises that cover the main media sectors. A separate three-day placement will give students practical work experience at one of a range of specialist magazines, newspapers or PR consultancies across Great Britain.
Organiser Steve Mitchell of ASM PR emphasises that course supports one of the principal aims of the Guild: promoting schemes for the provision of suitable entrants into agricultural and horticultural journalism.
It is primarily aimed at graduating students keen to work in the agricultural and horticultural media, as well as journalists or public relations staff who have less than 12 months’ practical work experience.
Visit the training award scheme web page here for reports on past courses and an application form.
Peter Hill
