Journalism Training Course and Award,

sponsored by John Deere

The John Deere Agricultural Journalism Training Course is one of the jewels in the crown of the Guild’s professional development programme.

Each year, 10 new entrants to agricultural communications are awarded a free place on the two-and-a-half day course, which is hosted by John Deere at its UK and Ireland headquarters in Langar, near Nottingham.

The course is run by professional journalism tutor David Mascord and features guest speakers from leading editors, journalists and communications professionals working in agriculture.

Practical writing exercises help to sharpen writing skills, and theory sessions cover how to structure different stories according to the audience.

A press conference gives attendees the chance to experience what a product launch could look like and understand how to find ‘the story behind the story’.

Short-term work experience placements are then offered with farming and horticultural publications or PR agencies to provide real-world experience of the job.

Attendees also compete for the John Deere Training Award trophy and a £250 cash prize for the best news article written after the course – plus a £100 prize for the runner-up – and a guest ticket to the Guild’s annual Harvest Service & Lunch in London for the prize presentation.

The training course has been running for more than 30 years and has helped to produce some of the leading communications professionals currently working in the sector.

John Deere is a much-valued, long-term sponsor of the programme and covers all costs for course to make it accessible to anyone who is seriously considering a career in agricultural communications.

The 2026 course will take place from 5-7 July at John Deere’s UK & Ireland headquarters in Langar, Nottinghamshire.

Applicants, who must be studying and/or a resident in Great Britain, have until 26 February 2026 to return a completed application form, which you can request from ben@evecommunications.co.uk.

Aimed at:

New entrants who have little or no practical experience but who want a career in PR or journalism within the horticulture, agriculture, or agricultural engineering sectors.