Agricultural Communications Documentation Center College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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Professional Communicator Organizations

• Agri Council of American Business Media
  Agri media companies in this Council (formerly Agricultural Publishers Association) represent more than 100 magazines and newspapers. They also provide media services ranging from Internet communications and direct marketing to farm shows and database management.

• Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT)
  National organization of U.S. college students who are preparing to become professional communicators in agriculture.

• Agricultural Relations Council (ARC)
  U.S.-based professional development organization of public relations professionals who specialize in agriculture.

• Agricultural Writers SA (South Africa)
  A professional organization promoting the image and standards of agricultural journalism in South Africa.

• American Agricultural Editors' Association
  Provides a forum that allows agricultural editors, writers, photographers and other communication professionals to share and exchange ideas, issues and goals with their colleagues while offering opportunities for professional improvement.

• American Horse Publications
  A non-profit association dedicated to promoting better understanding and communications within the equine industry.
  

• Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE)
  International organization of professional communicators in all areas of communications related to agricultural, natural and human resources.
  Formerly known as Agricultural Communicators in Education.
  

• Association for Forestry and Agricultural Journalists (FSLJ)
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Sweden.
  

• Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE)
  Network for agricultural educators and extension personnel to strengthen agricultural and extension education programs and institutions in support of agricultural development worldwide.

• Association of Food Journalists
  A networking system to encourage communication among food journalists who plan and write food copy for news media.
  

• Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN)
  A professional organization for extension professionals involved in community and rural development, adult education, communication and related fields throughout Australia, Asia and New Zealand.


• Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists
  National umbrella organization for press clubs which focus on issues affecting rural and regional Australia.


• Belgische Vereniging van Landbouwjournalisten (BVLJ), Association Belge des Journalistes Agricoles (ABJA)
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Belgium.


• Canadian Farm Writers Federation
  Organization of professional farm writers in Canada. Maintained at the University of Guelph.

• Circulo Argentino de Periodistas Agrarios
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Argentina.

• Communication Officers of State Departments of Agriculture (COSDA)
  National association of information officers within U.S. state departments of agriculture.

• Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA)
  Association of professionals who communicate for cooperatives.

• Dansk Fodevare- og Landbrugsjournalister
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Denmark.

• Extension Video Producers
  A network of video producers from land grant institutions and agencies that exchange ideas, information and video related to programming of extension services.

• Farm Writers' Association of New South Wales
  Provides a forum for rural journalists and other agri-communicators. Fosters communication about and promotes the interests of rural Australia in general and the New South Wales farm sector in particular.

• Finnish Association of Agriculture Journalists (MATO)
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Finland.

• Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Great Britain
  Professional organization of agricultural and environmental journalists, media specialists, public relations and marketing managers, and others working in support of British agriculture.

• Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Ireland.

• International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD)
  A global community of practice for information specialists serving agriculture. Members are drawn from research and development institutes, international agencies, universities and colleges, government departments, information providers, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

• International Communication Association
  Addresses the study, teaching and application of all aspects of human mediated communication. Site includes intercultural and development communication, health communication, communication technology and other topics that involve agriculture-related communicating.

• International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ)
  A forum for 4,500 agricultural journalists in 29 countries.

• Japan Agricultural Journalists' Association (JAJA)
  Professional association of agricultural journalists and communicators in Japan.


• Livestock Publications Council
  An international, nonprofit organization serving the livestock communications industry. Involves more than 100 member publications with interest in species that represent the livestock industry.

• National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA)
  Emphasizes professional development of U.S. agricultural marketing communicators and others involved in agri-marketing.

• National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB)
  A professional organization that serves the interests of the agricultural and rural lifestyle community, and creates value for broadcast, management and allied industry members.

• National Association of Science Writers
  Forum to promote good science writing through all media normally devoted to informing the public. Includes information about members who specialize in writing about nutrition, biology and the environment.

• National Market News Association
  Primarily an organization of federal and state market reporters, market news and information specialists, and analysts. The organization seeks to improve marketing information in line with changes in the marketing system and promote cooperation and exchange of new and helpful news between government agencies and industry.

• Netherlands Association of Agricultural and Horticultural Journalism (NVLJ)
  Professional organization of agricultural and horticultural journalists and communicators in the Netherlands.

• New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators
  Professional organization of New Zealand journalists and communicators working with a focus on things agricultural.

• North American Agricultural Journalists
  A professional group of agricultural journalists in North America who report or edit agricultural news for newspapers, magazines, wires and syndicated services and are independent of agricultural organizations and businesses.

• Norwegian Association of Agricultural Journalists (Norsk Landbruksjournalistlag)
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Norway.

• Research Special Interest Group of Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE)
  Serves ACE members and others interested in communications research. Focuses on conducting communications research and furthering the use of research findings.

• Rural Media Association of South Australia
  Association for rural journalists and others in the rural sector of South Australia who deliver information of interest or benefit to the rural community as a whole.


• Rural Media Association of Western Australia
  A key industry group dedicated to recognising rural media and developing relationships between rural media and agribusiness groups in Western Australia.


• Rural Media Network Pakistan
  Association of journalists in the country areas who aim to promote the media and the practice of journalism throughout Pakistan.


• Rural Press Club of Queensland
  Aims to strengthen the links between rural media, public relations, agribusiness and government groups in Queensland, Australia. It also offers members entry to national and world-wide networks of like-minded colleagues.


• Rural Press Club of Victoria
  Offers a forum for fellowship among persons involved in the rural industry of Victoria, Australia, particularly working journalists.


• Serbian Association of Agricultural Journalists (AGROPRESS)
  An organization of journalists who cover the agricultural sector of Serbia.


• Society of Environmental Journalists
  A source for journalists reporting on the environment. Seeks to advance public understanding of environmental issues by improving the quality, accuracy and visibility of environmental reporting.
  

• Swiss Agricultural Journalists
  Professional association of journalists and other specialists in communicating about agriculture and related sectors in Switzerland.
  

• Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA)
  Serves communicators in the Green Industry by fostering an open exchange of information regarding issues that affect communications with various audiences.

• Union of Agricultural Journalists of Serbia (Agropress)
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Serbia.

• Verband Deutscher Agrarjournalisten
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Germany.

• Verband der Agrarjournalisten und -publizisten in Österreich
  Professional organization of agricultural journalists and communicators related to agriculture in Austria.

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Journals

• AgriMarketing
  Magazine serving those involved in marketing and communications in agribusiness. Official magazine of the National Agri-Marketing Association.
  
• Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
  International journal on changes in agricultural knowledge and action systems.


•  Journal of Applied Communications
  Quarterly refereed journal of the Agricultural Communicators in Education. Offers professional development for educational communicators who relate to agricultural, natural and human resources.

• Journal of Extension
  Journal of the U.S. Cooperative Extension System to expand and update the research and knowledge base of extension professionals and other educators.

• Journal of Extension Systems
  Bi-annual international journal dedicated to advancing understanding of Extension Systems through empirical investigation, theoretical analyses and practical experiences.

• Philippine Journal of Development Communication
  A refereed biannual journal published by the College of Development Communication, University of the Philippines at Los Baños.

• South African Journal of Agricultural Extension
  Aims to advance and apply the science of extension and rural development by stimulating thought, study, research, discussion and the publication and exchange of knowledge both nationally and internationally.

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Media and Methods

• Asian Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture (AFITA)
  Forum for the exchange of information and discussion about agroinformatics to help solve the worldwide food problems. Focused mainly on the Asian and Oceanic countries.

• European Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture, Food and the Environment (EFITA)
  Facilitates the development and exchange of knowledge about information and communication technology (ICT) in support of agriculture in Europe.

• For Ag Journalists
  Perspectives and tips for agricultural journalists from Fred Myers, a professional who has more than 50 years of experience as a journalist in agriculture. Features are provided to "help you with what you do as you become what you want to be."

• Huck Boyd National Center for Community Media
  A resource to serve and strengthen the local newspapers, radio stations, cable systems and other media that play a key role in the survival and revitalization of America’s small towns.

• International Network for Information Technology in Agriculture (INFITA)
  Provides a basis for cooperation among national and international organizations and associations with interest in research and the utilization of information technology in agriculture, food and the environment.

• Internet Journalism Resources
  Features web search tools, writing and editing help, international communications, listservs and other resources.

• Investigative Reporters and Editors
  Nonprofit organization based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism provides educational services to reporters, editors and others interested in investigative journalism. Story database, beat pages and other features involve some resources related to agriculture.


• Pan-American Federation for Information Technology in Agriculture (PanAFITA)
  Federation of agricultural professionals and organizations involved in information technology (IT) to promote improvement in the quality of food and fiber production, the quality of life of agricultural producers, and secure and sustainable food production in the Americas.

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Development Communications

• Asian Institute for Development Communication
  A non-governmental organization to strengthen the link between communication and development in Asia. A United Nations accredited organization.

• Centre for Alternative Agricultural Media
  An India-based international forum for farmer-friendly communication efforts. Focuses on need-based communication systems for farmers, encourages self-help journalism among farmers, promotes alternative efforts in agricultural communication, and helps bridge the communication gap between farmers and scientists/government.

• Communication for Development Program
  A program of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. To strengthen the capabilities of national and regional research, extension, education and communication systems so that rural people have the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives and manage natural resources in sustainable ways.

• Communication Initiative
  A forum to improve strategic communication thinking on development issues, advance communication for change, advocate the effectiveness of communication for sustainable development and help address key communication issues.

• Development Experience Clearinghouse
  Online resource for international development reports of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Through the search system, this site provides information within sectors such as "communication" and "agricultural development."
  

• Farm Radio International
  Canadian-based, not-for-profit organization partnering with radio broadcasters in Africa to fight poverty and food insecurity.

• International Institute for Communication and Development
  Independent non-profit foundation emphasizes the role and use of information and communication technologies in support of sustainable, locally oriented development.

• International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC)
  A major forum in the United Nations system designed to develop free and pluralistic media with a global approach to democratic development.

• KnowNet Initiative
  Aims to popularize and facilitate knowledge networking in developing countries for overall human development through the amalgamation of information and communication technology (ICT) and remote volunteering.

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Extension

• Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
  Online site of CSREES, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, includes information about agriculture-related programs of education and extension. The search system permits searching on "communication" and related terms.


• Extension resources of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
  Addresses the efficiency of extension systems in sustainable agriculture and rural development for food security.


• Extension resources of the World Bank (search on "extension")
  Helps client countries in strengthening their agricultural extension and rural information systems as an important element of national innovation systems and strategies to reduce rural poverty.


• Improving agricultural extension: a reference manual
  Resource for improving extension programmes, processes and management as well as addressing trends and developments in agricultural extension, internationally.

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Food

• Consumer Food Safety Behavior
  Briefings from the Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, about consumer concerns, information sources, consumption, risk and other aspects of food safety.

• Food and Brand Lab
  An interdisciplinary group of graduate students and affiliated faculty from psychology, food science, marketing, agricultural economics, human nutrition, history, library science and journalism. Focuses on better understanding of consumers and how they relate to foods.

• Food Safety Education and Consumer Information
  Site maintained by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Provides resources for consumers, educators and health professionals. Communicators may be especially interested in the food safety education campaigns and materials, as well as reports of consumer research and focus group testing.

• National Food Safety Educator's Network
  Electronic network for food safety education from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Indigenous Knowledge

• Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Program
  An integrated, online information system involving indigenous knowledge. It offers annotated links to websites (publications, organizations and networks, databases) managed all over the world.

• Indigenous Knowledge Worldwide
  Full text newsletter that focuses on the exchange of information about indigenous knowledge as it relates to sustainable development.

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Resources

• ACE Papers
  Historical records (1913 to date) of the American Association of Agricultural College Editors (AAACE), later renamed Agricultural Communicators in Education and currently Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences, housed in the National Agricultural Library.

• Agricultural Advertising Collection
  The D'Arcy Collection at the University of Illinois includes almost 2 million original advertisements published between 1890 and 1970. Maintained by the College of Communications, it is a rich source of research information on products advertised by many advertising agencies. Includes thousands of ads featuring agricultural equipment, dairy products, chemicals, farm papers and other agricultural themes.

• Agricultural Advertising Exhibit
  See 20 images of agricultural and food advertisements in the University of Illinois Advertising Exhibit, maintained by the College of Communications. Exhibit features advertisements selected from the D'Arcy and Woodward Collections. Organized within 17 subject themes.

• Agricultural Communications Case Studies
  This site provides professionals and students with communications case study examples for application in industry situations and in the classroom.

• Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Archives
  Comprehensive finding aid to help interested persons locate information in the National ACT Archives.

• Development Communications Archive
  Reports, papers, printed material, surveys, articles, audiotapes, videocassettes and motion picture films make up the archive of the Clearinghouse on Development Communication of the Academy of Educational Development, Inc., 1960-1994. 
  

• National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Archives
  Comprehensive finding aid to help interested persons locate information in the NAFB Archives.

• Records of the Tobacco Market News Service
  Special collection in the National Agricultural Library includes historical information on the Tobacco Market News Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, between 1928 and 1971.
  

• Smokey Bear Collection
  Special collection in the National Agricultural Library contains varied materials from 1902 to 1994, with emphasis on advertising activities of the Cooperative Forest Fire Protection program.
  

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