Media Appreciation Night
Boot Scoot Boogie your way
to the 2008 Annual Media Appreciation Night
Thursday, July 31
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Clovis Rodeo Grounds
Award Presentation: 6:30 p.m.
Each year, the Fresno County Farm Bureau sponsors media awards for print and electronic media.
The annual awards recognize excellence in reporting on agricultural issues from journalists throughout the region. Farm Bureau presents two awards in the print media category, recognizing the best in general media publications and in agricultural trade publications. Awards also will be presented for the best in radio and television reporting and in photo journalism.
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2008 Journalism Award Winners [PDF]
Print Media - General Media
First Place:
Gabriel Dillard, The Business Journal
"Developers Mine Gold in Triangle" - March 14, 2008
- An article that describes the challenges farmers, who are located within the Golden Triangle of eastern Fresno County, face from economic pressures to sell their farmland to developers.
Runner-up:
Beth Wamerdam, Selma Enterprise
"Harvest Time" - September 5, 2007
- A comprehensive report of the effects of rain during lst year's raisin harvest.
Print Media - Farm Trade Media
First Place:
Vicky Boyd, The Grower Magazine
"Preparing for the Worst" - February 8, 2008
- An account of how west side farmers are preparing for reduced water supplies.
Runner-up:
Sara Souza, Agribusiness Dairyman Magazine
Series of articles on "Niche Marketing: Thinking Outside the Box" - August - December 2007
- A showcase of different marketing options for dairy operations.
Television Media
First Place:
Jon Brent, reporter, KSEE-TV 24
Kelly Vail, photographer, KSEE-TV 24
"Light Brown Apple Moth" - June 19, 2008
- An informative story about the Light Brown Apple Moth and its potential impacts to agriculture, addressing concerns of both consumers and producers with eradication efforts.
Runner-up:
Tony Botti, reporter, KGPE-CBS 47
Justin Terro, photographer, KGPE-CBS 47
"Rodeo Behind the Scenes" - April 26, 2008
- A look behind the chutes of the Clovis Rodeo and a comprehensive portrayal of the "human" side of rodeo participants.
Photojournalism Media
First Place:
Dean Slagel, Clovis Independent
"Big Bad Bully" - May 2, 2008
- A dramatic photo capturing a bucking bull in action at the Clovis Rodeo
Runner-up:
Corey Ralston, Selma Enterprise
"Harvest Time" - September 5, 2007
- A visual account of the raisin crop after an unreasonable rain hit in early-September.
Several entries were received from local publications and television stations. The criteria for the awards are: awareness of agriculture's importance in the Valley; use of visuals to tell the story, where applicable; thorough and objective coverage of the issue, given time and space limitations; educational element for farmers/producers (Ag Print category) and for the consumer (General Media); portraying the "human side" of the industry, making the issues relevant to consumers and/or producers. News articles or stories published or broadcasted from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 were eligible.
Thank you to our Judges:
- Paul Betancourt, FCFB past-president and director
- Eric Cisneros, general manager, Fresno Cooperative Growers
- Sasha Khokha, last year's radio first-place winner and KQED Radio's "The California Report" reporter
- Betsy Hays, assistant professor, Department of Mass Communication & Journalism, California State University- Fresno
- Daniel Hartwig, vice president growers relations, Nisei Farmers League
- Russel Efird, FCFB President
With Major Support from:
