Developments in global outreach, training initiatives, and changes to the organisation’s structure all came under discussion at the most recent executive meeting of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), held in South Africa in March.
One key announcement was the official registration of the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalists as a UK charity. Chaired by UK Guild member Jane Craigie and supported by ten trustees, the foundation aims to raise additional funds to support global outreach, training, and development for agricultural journalists.
Meanwhile, the process of registering the federation as a limited company is moving forward, the UK Guild’s IFAJ rep Olivia Cooper reported to the AGM In Stamford, Lincolnshire (27 March).
Under UK law, a federation must operate on a “one member, one vote” basis, which differs from IFAJ’s long-standing system, where larger guilds—such as the BGAJ—hold multiple votes.
During discussions, most member guilds expressed a preference to retain the weighted voting system, which means that IFAJ will need to change its name to remove the word “Federation”, Olivia explained.
Some of the suggested alternatives include simply “IFAJ,” the “International Foundation of Agricultural Journalists,” or a broader change to the “Global Association of Agricultural Journalists.”
The final decision will be made at the IFAJ Congress in October 2025. Any members who wish to share their views on this issue are encouraged to contact Olivia Cooper at international@gaj.org.uk; the IFAJ presidium is open to arranging a call if there is sufficient interest.
Expanding outreach and global support
The IFAJ is continuing to find new ways to support journalists around the world, with a new global sharing network established to collect and distribute laptops, cameras, and mobile phones to those in need. The latest collection is being sent to journalists in the Congo, where fifteen radio stations were recently raided and shut down, leaving many without the tools they need to continue their work.
Thanks to support from Syngenta, the Global Network Partnership – led by IFAJ president Steve Werblow and deputy president Adrian Bell – is also working to assist agricultural journalist guilds in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The initiative is focused on identifying the specific needs of these guilds and ensuring they receive the support necessary to thrive.
Training and professional development Initiatives
Another development is the upcoming launch of a Certificate in Global Agricultural Journalism, created in partnership with the University of Illinois. This program, which is expected to be available by the third quarter of 2025, will consist of four online modules covering data journalism in agriculture, multimedia production, leadership, and critical thinking. Each module will last four weeks, and sponsorship efforts are underway to ensure that the full course can be offered for just $50.
Professional development remains a priority for IFAJ, Olivia told the AGM, with a series of webinars running throughout the year. Upcoming sessions include “Principles and Principals: Part 2” in April, followed by “Ag Dispatches from the Front Line” in May, which will cover developments in both Congo and Ukraine.
In June, the webinar “Artifice or Intelligence? AI in Agriculture”, sponsored by Syngenta, will explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the industry.
Members who have suggestions for additional CPD events or topics they would like to see covered should contact Olivia.
Get involved with IFAJ
All members of the UK Guild are members of the IFAJ, and there are many ways for people to get involved with the federation, if they want to, said Olivia.
Several committees are always looking for new participants, including those focused on membership, freedom of the press, professional development, and host liaison, with a new finance committee also being established, she said. Members do not need to hold an official executive position to contribute, so anyone interested should get in touch.
Looking further ahead, the UK will be hosting the IFAJ Executive Meeting in January 2027, which will serve as a trial run ahead of a potential bid to host the IFAJ Congress in 2029. As with any large event, more volunteers will be needed to help make this a success, and anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to reach out.
For more details about IFAJ activities and opportunities, visit IFAJ’s official website.
