Royal Agricultural University student Anna Bowen (21) from Carmarthen won the 2013 British Guild of Agricultural Journalists Training Award, sponsored by John Deere.
The dairy farmer’s daughter won for an article about new Defra measures to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis in England and took part in the Guild’s training course while studying for a BSc in international equine and agricultural management.
Anna is a regular student contributor to the monthly West Midlands newspaper Three Counties Farmer, has written articles for Endurance and Local Rider magazines, spent a week each on work experience at the Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard, Carmarthen Journal, and Horse and Hound, and is an active blogger.
Specialist training consultant and main course lecturer, David Mascord, judged Anna’s article to be the best news story of those submitted by the 10 prospective new entrants to agricultural journalism, ‘tackling a very topical subject with a clear and concise writing style and a good use of quotes’.
Runner up was Andrea Beddows, a Member of the Guild and part-time public relations manager and freelance copywriter. She has a BSc degree in rural land management from the Royal Agricultural College.
Andrea spent her work experience placement at the NFU’s British Farmer & Grower and wrote her article on a major new trade deal for the export of beef and lamb to Russia.
Anna received a cheque for £250, a framed certificate and the John Deere trophy at Cirencester, while Andrea was presented with her runner-up framed certificate and a cheque for £100 at the Guild’s Harvest Lunch at Stationers’ Hall in London.
Read Training Awards stories 2013
The 2013 course took place at John Deere UK headquarters in July and the work experience hosts were Amateur Gardening, BBC Gardeners’ World, British Farmer & Grower, Farmers Guardian, Farmers Weekly, 5M Publishing, The Garden, Horticulture Week, Three Counties Farmer and the Whisper.pr agency.
