The Fresno County (California) Farm Bureau recently held its 25th annual Journalism Awards. This year’s award winners were recently recognized at FCFB’s second annual “Bounty of Fresno County” event at Wolf Lakes Park in Sanger.
More than 25 entries were received from publications, websites, radio and television stations. The criteria for the awards were: thorough and objective coverage of issues, given time and space limitations; educational element for the agriculture industry or the consumer; and portraying the personal stories of those who make up the food and agriculture industry, making issues relevant to consumers and Valley residents.
Serving as judges were: Westlands Water District Public Affairs Representative Diana Giraldo; farmer Liz Hudson of Hudson Farms; and journalist Don Wright of Water Wrights.
Award winners are:
Audio — Patrick Cavanaugh, California Ag Today Radio, “Temperance Flat Dam denied full funding,” March 9, 2018. Cavanaugh discusses the California Water Commission’s failure to fund the Temperance Flat Dam storage project.
Farm Trade Print — Vicky Boyd, Cotton Farming Magazine, “A bird’s eye-view of cotton,” Sept. 1, 2018. Boyd explains the value of drones and how California farmers and ranchers are enlisting such technologies to help boost efficiency, optimize crop inputs and yields, and ultimately, remain profitable.
General Print — Robert Rodriguez, The Fresno Bee, “Will adding a sour kick get millennials to eat raisins?,” Aug. 19, 2018. Rodriguez speaks with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sun-Maid Growers of California, Harry Overly, about the company’s national campaign focused on rekindling consumers’ fondness for the brand.
Video — Alexan Balekian, KSEE24, “Is the gas tax putting California’s most valuable resource in jeopardy?,” Feb. 19, 2019. Balekian explores the implications of Prop. 6, “the gas tax,” on California agriculture.