The American Farm Bureau Federation recently announced the winners of its 2025 Communications Awards during the annual Communications Conference. The awards recognized professionals from state Farm Bureaus across the United States for their excellence in various communication categories.
States such as California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, and Texas received significant recognition, earning multiple awards. Entries were judged based on states with similar membership sizes across 17 categories, including writing, print, media relations, social media, graphic design, video, audio, and website. Nearly 200 entries from work produced in 2024 were submitted for consideration.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall expressed pride in the communicators' efforts: "State Farm Bureau communicators remain committed to sharing the voices of farm and ranch families across the country. The work of our communicators is exceptional and I’m proud of how they share agriculture’s story. Congratulations to the winning states and my thanks to all Farm Bureau communicators."
Awards were distributed among several states including California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina Pennsylvania Texas Virginia and Wisconsin.
The Anne Marie Moss Team Effort Award was presented to Wisconsin for their "WisGO" program aimed at training members as advocates for agricultural issues. Kansas was also recognized for "Rural Minds Matter," a program addressing mental health awareness in farming communities.
California's Caleb Hampton won Best Agriculture Story alongside Virginia's Nicole Zema. Maryland's Jeb Burchick Jamie Raley Parker Welch and Illinois' Tim Eggert were honored for Best Single Blog Item Editorial or Column.
In other categories:
- California's Barbara Arciero Shawn Collins Linda DuBois Caleb Hampton Ching Lee Christine Souza; Illinois' Dan Grant Rhiannon Branch Phyllis Coulter Hannah Spangler Tammie Sloup Catrina Rawson Jenny Carr Jessica Wells Michelle Pazar Deana Stroisch received Best Newspaper.
- New York's Brooks Brown Amanda Powers; Kansas' Sheridan Wimmer Neva Roenne Meagan Cramer won Best E-Newsletter.
- California's Barbara Arciero Linda DuBois Paula Erath Caleb Hampton Ching Lee Nicole Love Christine Souza; Kansas' Sheridan Wimmer Greg Doering Sandi Cowdin Meagan Cramer Debbie Hargrave took home Best Magazine.
- Wisconsin's Lynn Siekmann Cassie Sonnentag Rachel LaCount Amy Eckelberg; Illinois' Tifani Shea John Lock excelled in Best Graphic Design.
- Minnesota's Rachel Reisig Whitney Pittman Visser Dylan Wohlenhaus; Idaho's Kristy Lindauer Ott Clark Cam Hammond Joel Benson stood out in Best Audio News Story Feature Story or Commentary/Editorial.
- Pennsylvania’s Will Whisler David Varner North Carolina’s Lynda Loveland Mark Stebnicki Jamie Thomas secured Best Video News Story while Colorado’s Melissa Weaver Illinois’ Mark Pressburger Scott Anderson Tammie Sloup claimed Best Video Feature Story.
- California’s Christina Apkarian Alex Eickmann Connor Duncan Darren Lee Gracie Pierson from Illinois triumphed with Best Website.
Social media categories saw Wisconsin’s Rachel LaCount Texas’ Julie Tomascik Ed Wolff Pedro Rosas Emmy Powell leading with Best Social Media Video while New York’s Erik Flora Texas team dominated both Social Media Campaign Presence sections.
Iowa’s Sara Payne Andrew Wheeler Caitlyn Lamm captured attention with their Media Relations Event whereas Nebraska led by Abby Durheim Kenzie White Oscar Diaz Devan Kirkpatrick along with Gracie Pierson from Illinois shone through Public Relations Campaigns category demonstrating Unique Tactic Execution respectively marked notable achievements underlined via names like Amy Eckelberg Raegan Statler Kylie Ver Kuilen associated within corresponding domains contributing toward organizational narrative expansion reaching wider audience engagement facilitating comprehensive understanding concerning intrinsic agricultural aspects enriching collective consciousness embracing evolving paradigms encompassing dynamic ecosystems pivotal role fortifying sustainable growth trajectory fostering inclusive development frameworks harmonizing diverse stakeholder interests optimizing resource utilization aligning strategic priorities augmenting value propositions amplifying positive impact transcending 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