From left: Dr. Albert Culbreath, University of Georgia; Den Gardner, Gardner & Gardner Communications; Pamela Smith, DTN/The Progressive Farmer; Carey Brown, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association; Jennifer Shike, Farm Journal’s PORK; Betty Haynes, Midwestern Lens; Lisa Foust Prater, Successful Farming; Matt Strelecki, People, Inc.; Julianna Langemeier, Zoetis; J. Scott Vernon, Cal Poly State University; Rachel Waggie, Kansas Livestock Association; Ryann Kats, Angus Media; Mark Gardiner, Gardiner Angus Ranch.
The Ag Communicators Network and Livestock Publications Council bestow awards for lifetime achievement, service and professional excellence.
Agricultural media professionals celebrated the achievements of outstanding individuals July 21 during the 27th annual Ag Media Summit at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch.
At the joint awards luncheon culminating two days of top-notch professional development and newsmaker sessions, the Ag Communicators Network and the Livestock Publications Council recognized the following recipients of their top annual awards:
ACN award winners:
- 2026 Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Albert Culbreath, research plant pathologist, University of Georgia.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Den Gardner, Gardner & Gardner Communications, former executive director of the American Agricultural Editors Association (precursor to ACN).
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Pamela Smith, crops editor at DTN/The Progressive Farmer and trailblazing ag journalist for nearly 50 years.
- Andy Markwart Horizon Award: Andrew Castillo, editor of farm equipment and machinery, Farm Progress.
- Fellows of the ACN: Pam Caraway, Farm Progress; Chris Clayton, DTN/The Progressive Farmer; Jamie Cole, Red Barn Media Group; Martha Mintz, Corral Creek Communications; Holly Spangler, Farm Progress; and Bill Spiegel, freelance writer and farmer.
LPC award winners:
- The Headliner Award: Mark Gardiner, Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland, Kansas.
- LPC Hall of Fame Inductee: J. Scott Vernon, professor emeritus, Cal Poly State University.
- Ed Bible Distinguished Service Award: Carey Brown, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association
- Workhorse Award: Rachel Waggie, Kansas Livestock Association.
In addition, the two groups announced the following top winners based on their outstanding entries in the 2026 ACN and LPC communications awards programs:
ACN:
- Communicator of the Year: Julianna Langemeier, Zoetis
- Designer of the Year: Matt Strelecki, People, Inc.
- Photographer of the Year: Betty Haynes, Midwestern Lens
- Writer of the Year: Lisa Foust Prater, Successful Farming
LPC:
- James Flanagan Most Improved Publication: The Drive
- Designer of the Year: Ryann Kats, Angus Media
- Photographer of the Year: Betty Haynes, Midwestern Lens
- Videographer of the Year: Stacy Young, Innovation Media
- Writer of the Year: Jennifer Shike, Farm Journal’s PORK
The Ag Media Summit is hosted by ACN and LPC, with support from the Ag Media Council. Pam Caraway, AMS 2026 chair and Farm Futures executive editor, thanks all the generous sponsors for their support of AMS, including Bayer, Italian Trade Agency, Pivot Bio, United Soybean Board, Corteva, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Pork Producers Council, New Holland, Slate Group and Syngenta. Special thanks to the Professional Improvement Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization affiliated with the Ag Communicators Network.
AMS 2027 will be held July 25-28, 2027, in Omaha, Nebraska. Find more information about AMS at www.agmediasummit.com.
The Ag Communicators Network is the premier professional organization for communicators across the spectrum of agricultural media – from editors, writers and photojournalists to designers and public relations professionals.
Livestock Publications Council is an international organization serving the dynamic livestock communications industry. Members of LPC represent livestock publications as publication members, allied industry as service members, and student members.
The SIIA AM&P Network Ag Media Council’s mission is to increase the value of its media offerings for the agri-media and marketer community. The overarching goal: to enhance business growth, industry knowledge and best practices for its audiences and marketing professionals serving the global agricultural industry.
