Six members of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists joined almost 200 agricultural journalists and communicators from 40 countries in Croatia this September for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists’ (IFAJ) annual congress.
Held in Osijek, in the country’s east, from 16–20 September, the congress combined farm and food business visits with discussions about agriculture and the work of those reporting on it. It was Croatia’s first time hosting the event, which also marked IFAJ’s 70th anniversary.
For visitors more familiar with Croatia’s coastline, the congress offered an introduction to a different part of the country around the Slavonia and Baranja regions.
Farm visits organised by the Croatian Agricultural Journalists’ Association gave delegates the chance to explore a variety of different sectors, ranging from large-scale dairy and arable operations, to specialist crop production like hazelnuts, wine and spelt.
The varied programme also offered opportunities to hear directly from farmers about their production systems and the challenges their businesses face, and to gather stories for audiences back home.
The region’s natural beauty was another highlight of the trip, with delegates given the chance to visit Kopački rit Nature Park, where the Drava and Danube rivers meet.
Comparing notes across borders
Alongside the tours, delegates had opportunities to discuss the changing media landscape, artificial intelligence and the challenges of communicating about agriculture, as well as swapping contacts and story ideas.
Guild chairman Caroline Stocks, who attended alongside BGAJ members Olivia Cooper, Eva Featherson, Johann Tasker, Alex Ranson and Adrian Bell, said: “There aren’t many opportunities to spend several days with colleagues from 40 countries who all share your interest in farming and journalism.
“The farm visits gave us plenty of story ideas, but the conversations between the trips are just as useful. You can compare how people are covering the same issues elsewhere, swap ideas and make contacts you can turn to after the congress finishes.
“I’d encourage Guild members to attend at least one congress during their careers. You don’t have to be reporting internationally to get something useful from seeing how farming works in another country, or hearing how other journalists approach their work.”
Thanks go to the Croatian guild, the farmers and businesses that welcomed delegates, and everyone involved in organising the programme.
South Africa will host the next congress in 2027, with the UK scheduled to host in 2029. If you’d like to get involved with planning the UK’s congress, contact Olivia Cooper.
For more info on the IFAJ, contact Olivia Cooper: international@gaj.org.uk.
Members of the Guild automatically become members of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists and the European Network of Agricultural Journalists, giving them unique access to a global network of agricultural communicators.
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