Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Among the specialized forms of writing or journalism, this is likely the one most relevant to prairie people living in rural environments: farm writing.
While Saskatchewan and Alberta are celebrating a century of history in 2005, the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation (CFWF) will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in Lloydminster from September 20 to 24.
Founded in 1955, the CFWF serves the common interests of agricultural journalists, including reporters, editors and broadcasters as well as those in business and government whose primary responsibility is agricultural communications.
What do farm writers do when they get together? They actually do a lot of research, the fun way.
Kevin Hursh is a well-known journalist-broadcaster.
"There is always a great line-up of tours at the Conference. Among the places we are scheduled to visit this year is the Log Cabin Tea House at Frenchman Butte. The teahouse is located on the museum grounds and features historic relics from the 1885 Riel Rebellion. We will also tour the gun pits at Frenchman Butte National Historic Site."
Event participants will also get a chance to visit T'n'C Farms in Lloydminster, where Cathy Merkley and her partner own about 30 head of breeding stock and another 15 head of commercial fibre alpacas. Their alpaca barn has the AlpacaLoft Fibre studio in the upper level, complete with a retail outlet that includes a wide variety of alpaca products: from raw fleece to hand knit and commercially produced garments.
Tour participants will be able to get a close and personal introduction to alpacas and learn how producers shear and sort the fleece.
Very often, these visits turn into story ideas.
Myrna Stark Leader is a Business Project Analyst at Farm Credit Canada.
"I've been a member of CFWF for several years. I joined because I thought that it would be a good way to keep in touch with others who work in corporate communications for the agriculture and agri-food industries. It has been invaluable in terms of contacts but also in getting myself acquainted with the special nature of agriculture and the scope of the industry.
"While attending the last conferences in Kelowna and Windsor, I learned so much about where my food comes from, as well as the issues that producers face. People all over the country welcome us to their operations and show us what they do with such great pride and enthusiasm. It's terrific."
To an outsider, the field of agricultural writing or journalism may seem like a marginal one, but Kevin Hursh does not share this perception.
"Even if what we do isn't mainstream journalism, you'll find that many agricultural journalists are very well known in their target markets. They have a definite credibility in their field. They are often specialists in a specific region. Their job is to provide insight on how relevant aspects of agricultural activities evolve and how they impact on producers' lives."
For Myrna Stark leader, the connection has even more profound undertones.
"It gives me a deeper understanding of the need for us, as Canadians, to talk about and think more about the source of our food. There's not much that's more important than what we eat and yet the public, far too often, takes agriculture for granted. The media does the same-often putting their most inexperienced reporters on the agriculture beat.
"It's not dramatic like crime or politics, but it certainly deserves more attention by mainstream media in order to help educate the public. This conference is a very economic way for anyone with an interest to find out what agriculture is all about and meet some fantastic people too!"
For more information on the Canadian farm Writers' Federation and the Lloydminster Conference, visit: http://www.cfwf.ca.
Kevin Hursh, PAg CAC
Hursh Consulting & Communications Inc.
(306) 933-0138
Myrna Stark Leader
Farm Credit Canada
(306) 780-8614
Among the specialized forms of writing or journalism, this is likely the one most relevant to prairie people living in rural environments: farm writing.
While Saskatchewan and Alberta are celebrating a century of history in 2005, the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation (CFWF) will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in Lloydminster from September 20 to 24.
Founded in 1955, the CFWF serves the common interests of agricultural journalists, including reporters, editors and broadcasters as well as those in business and government whose primary responsibility is agricultural communications.
What do farm writers do when they get together? They actually do a lot of research, the fun way.
Kevin Hursh is a well-known journalist-broadcaster.
"There is always a great line-up of tours at the Conference. Among the places we are scheduled to visit this year is the Log Cabin Tea House at Frenchman Butte. The teahouse is located on the museum grounds and features historic relics from the 1885 Riel Rebellion. We will also tour the gun pits at Frenchman Butte National Historic Site."
Event participants will also get a chance to visit T'n'C Farms in Lloydminster, where Cathy Merkley and her partner own about 30 head of breeding stock and another 15 head of commercial fibre alpacas. Their alpaca barn has the AlpacaLoft Fibre studio in the upper level, complete with a retail outlet that includes a wide variety of alpaca products: from raw fleece to hand knit and commercially produced garments.
Tour participants will be able to get a close and personal introduction to alpacas and learn how producers shear and sort the fleece.
Very often, these visits turn into story ideas.
Myrna Stark Leader is a Business Project Analyst at Farm Credit Canada.
"I've been a member of CFWF for several years. I joined because I thought that it would be a good way to keep in touch with others who work in corporate communications for the agriculture and agri-food industries. It has been invaluable in terms of contacts but also in getting myself acquainted with the special nature of agriculture and the scope of the industry.
"While attending the last conferences in Kelowna and Windsor, I learned so much about where my food comes from, as well as the issues that producers face. People all over the country welcome us to their operations and show us what they do with such great pride and enthusiasm. It's terrific."
To an outsider, the field of agricultural writing or journalism may seem like a marginal one, but Kevin Hursh does not share this perception.
"Even if what we do isn't mainstream journalism, you'll find that many agricultural journalists are very well known in their target markets. They have a definite credibility in their field. They are often specialists in a specific region. Their job is to provide insight on how relevant aspects of agricultural activities evolve and how they impact on producers' lives."
For Myrna Stark leader, the connection has even more profound undertones.
"It gives me a deeper understanding of the need for us, as Canadians, to talk about and think more about the source of our food. There's not much that's more important than what we eat and yet the public, far too often, takes agriculture for granted. The media does the same-often putting their most inexperienced reporters on the agriculture beat.
"It's not dramatic like crime or politics, but it certainly deserves more attention by mainstream media in order to help educate the public. This conference is a very economic way for anyone with an interest to find out what agriculture is all about and meet some fantastic people too!"
For more information on the Canadian farm Writers' Federation and the Lloydminster Conference, visit: http://www.cfwf.ca.
Kevin Hursh, PAg CAC
Hursh Consulting & Communications Inc.
(306) 933-0138
Myrna Stark Leader
Farm Credit Canada
(306) 780-8614
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