Gov. Nixon and Director of Ag Honor Outstanding Ag Communicator during Governor’s Conference on Agriculture

January 19, 2014

Janet Adkison received the Agricultural Journalist of the Year Award

Gov. Nixon and Director of Ag Honor Outstanding Ag Communicator during Governor’s Conference on Agriculture

Janet Adkison, a native Missourian and president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, received high honors in front of hundreds of Missouri producers and agribusiness leaders during the 44th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, hosted by Gov. Jay Nixon and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. During the awards banquet Saturday evening, Gov. Nixon and Missouri’s Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce recognized her with Missouri’s Agricultural Journalist of the Year honors.

“The men and women sharing agriculture’s story with the public are essential to the continued success of the industry,” said Director Fordyce. “It is key that we recognize those who serve as a strong voice for the successes and challenges facing agriculture, here in Missouri and throughout the country.”

As Missouri’s Agricultural Journalist of the Year, Janet Adkison of Rural Media Group, the parent company of RFDTV, was recognized for her outstanding coverage of Missouri agriculture, as well as for her leadership within Missouri’s agriculture industry. She has served as a mentor for her fellow agricultural communicators, as well as for aspiring agricultural journalists during Missouri’s State FFA Convention last spring. She currently broadcasts ag news and market reports on Rural Radio and during Rural TV’s Market Day Report.

Adkison, originally from Houston, Mo served as the Farm Director for KMZU radio of Carrollton, Mo. and worked for Brownfield Ag News prior to taking the national role with Rural Media Group. She is a graduate of Missouri State University.

Missouri’s Agricultural Journalist of the Year was recognized alongside the AgriMissouri Member of the Year and the Agriculture Educator of the Year at the 2014 Missouri’ Governor’s Conference on Agriculture closing banquet.

The Conference, held in Kansas City, concluded Saturday evening with a special performance by country music star John Michael Montgomery. The three-day event included seminars and panel discussions on current hot topics in agriculture, including advocacy, youth engagement and technology. Special events during the conference included the Taste of AgriMissouri reception and the Friday evening benefit auction supporting programs for youth and young professionals in agriculture.

For more information on the Governor’s Conference on Agriculture and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, visit the Department online at http://www.mda.mo.gov.