Div of ag writers, publications earn APW awards
Fast Facts:
- APW honors U of A System Division of Agriculture publications, writers
- Winning entries move to national contest
(400 words)
LITTLE ROCK – Publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture were honored for excellence this month by Arkansas Press Women.
Kristin Higgins, a program associate for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Public Policy Center, took first place for non-profit/governmental newsletters for “Energizing Arkansas.” She earned an honorable mention in the same category for a newsletter on Arkansas Ballot issues.
Mary Hightower, director-communications services for the Division of Agriculture, won awards for online feature writing for a story about the Cooperative Extension Service was helping victims of the Moore, Okla., tornado in 2013, and agriculture/agribusiness writing for the coupled entry of “It’s May. It’s Arkansas. It’s Snowing,” and “Beekeeping Beeginners get hives of their own.” She took third in the continuing coverage category for “Arkansas Soybean Growers break 100-bushel barrier.”
“Arkansas Land & Life,” a semiannual publication for the Division of Agriculture, took first place in the magazine category.
The awards were announced June 7, as Arkansas Press Women, marked the 65th anniversary of its founding. Winners in the state contest move on to the National Federation of Press Women contest.
“From its start in 1949, this organization set out to help its members develop their skills professionally,” said Debbie Miller, APW president. “We have never lost sight of that goal and this contest is one way we recognize the outstanding work of our members and learn from our judges.”
This year’s contest drew more than 120 entries from all over Arkansas and recognized excellence in news and public relations. The entries were judged by journalists and communications educators from Missouri and Arkansas.
Tammy Keith of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette was the contest sweepstakes winner with seven first places from her 38 entries. Miller, communications specialist with NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, was runner up in the sweepstakes point totals.
The event also featured a colloquium with graduate students in mass communications programs in Arkansas schools presenting their research. Among the students selected to present were:
- Richard Shumate, a freelancer who has written extensively for the Division of Ag, and graduated with an MA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and
- Kezia Nanda, a student in the graduate Journalism program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, who is working at the Cooperative Extension Service as a summer intern.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
By the Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
Related Links