David Markey explores the challenges that lie ahead for the IFAJ in this special message, and how he intends to focus his efforts in the remaining months of his presidency.

Freedom of the press has emerged as an important issue for the IFAJ as more countries seek to join the organization. Should every country be allowed to join the IFAJ or should membership be restricted to countries that encourage a free press? A special sub committee was established in May to explore the issues and the potential direction of future policy for the IFAJ. Committee chairman Hans Siemes explains progress to date...

New Zealand agricultural journalist Philippa Stevenson spent six years investigating and reporting an illegal trade scam in the dairy industry, with international implications. In this engrossing report, she explains the remarkable effort involved in uncovering the story and why she continued to pursue it for so long. The report is presented as part of the IFAJ's professional development program, in partnership with the Agricultural Communications Documentation Centre.

A fellowship is being offered for journalists interested in climate change to attend the 13th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Climate Change Convention in Bali, Indonesia, from December 3 to 14, 2007. The fellowship covers accommodation, travel and accreditation costs. It is being coordinated through the Earth Journalism Network which was set up three years ago by Internews to increase the quality and quantity of reporting on environmental issues. For a copy of the application form click here, or contact Sutharin Koonphol at sutharin.koonphol@internews.org

Members of the IFAJ have access to a unique international service, free of cost, as part of a special partnership between the IFAJ and the Agricultural Communications Documentation Centre (ACDC), based at the University of Illinois in the United States. Staff associate and faculty (emeritus) in agricultural communications and journalism, Jim Evans, explains how the centre can help.

Do you know of German-language articles, reports or other materials about agricultural journalism and communications? If so, please alert Anna Pederson at the ACDC (docctr@library.uiuc.edu). Anna recently joined the centre as graduate assistant and coordinator. She has German language skills and will be pleased to hear from you. "We want to strengthen the collection of German-language information about agricultural journalism and communications," Anna said. "Also, if you prefer to communicate in German please get in touch with me whenever I can help you locate useful information in the ACDC collection, and elsewhere."

Kennen Sie deutsche Artikel, Berichte, oder anderen Publikationen über Agrarjournalismus und Agrar-PR? Wenn ja, mailen Sie sie an Anna Pederson vom ACDC. Anna ist Koordinatorin für deutschsprachige Quellen im Dokumentationszentrum in Illinois. Sie spricht Deutsch und freut sich, von Ihnen zu hören. "Wir möchten deutsche Informationen über Agrarjournalismus und PR sammeln" erklärt Anna. "Gerne können Sie mir auch in Deutsch mailen an (docctr@library.uiuc.edu). Ich kann Sie auch bei einer Recherche zu anderen Themen in Deutsch unterstützen."

Members writing for three different national agricultural publications took top prizes in the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists journalist awards, announced at the Guild's Harvest Lunch in London. Click here to read the winning entries by Joanne Pugh from the Farmers Guardian, Profi International editor Andrew Faulkner and Mike Stones from Farmers Weekly. For a full report on the event visit president Joe Watson's blog where he reports on an address by National Sheep Asociation president Lord Henry Plumb, reflecting on recent challenges facing British farmers, including disease outbreaks and floods.

Almost 40 journalists and political experts attended a press seminar organized by the Swedish guild in early September. Titled "How can the drought in Australia lead to more expensive food in Sweden", the seminar focused on high grain prices and the sudden improvement in economic conditions for local farmers. The seminar attracted several journalists from daily newspapers, generated publicity for the guild and was judged a great success.

Delegates approved a major update of the IFAJ's constitution at the Federation's annual assembly during the IFAJ Congress in Japan. Click here to find out more about the changes.

A scientific conference in the Ukraine has concluded that domestic agrarian policy should be revised and more closely connected to the development of a market economy in the country. Read more here.

Current EU Ambassador to the US, John Bruton, gave the annual Michael Dillon lecture to the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland on October 19. Read read more about his views on the impact of global imbalances and energy use on efforts to tackle climate change.

Rob Sugar, a guest speaker at the recent 2007 Ag Media Summit in the United States, is launching a new magazine for publication editors, designers and producation staff called [FPO]. With a subscription rate of US$55, the first issue includes articles on what designers want from editors, developing relationships with freelance writers and magazine mission statements. Click here to view a 20-page sample in pdf form.

A recent U.S. study has provided insight into how agricultural communications professionals can enhance their approach to media relations. The study investigated media relations practices and strategies employed by agricultural communication professionals in their role as sources of information for news media. Read the paper prepared by Amanda Ruth, Assistant Professor at the Department of Communication, College of Charleston, and Ricky Telg, Professor of Agricultural Education and Communication Department, at the University of Florida.

In many parts of the world women farmers are responsible for growing food, yet they have little access to the benefits of research and innovation, according to Jacqueline Ashby, a development sociologist and Director of the Rural Innovation Institute at the Centre for Tropical Agriculture in Colombia. Ashby says women play critical roles in guaranteeing food security and well-being for the entire community and need to be empowered with more information. Read this report prepared by Imelda V. Abano from a session presented at the 5th World Congress of Science Journalists earlier this year.

Argentinean photographer Gerardo Prego has won the prestigious 2007 IFAJ Star Prize for Agricultural Photography. Sponsored by DeLaval, the award was given for "Harvest time", published last year in the CHACRA Magazine. Read the full results and judges comments or click here to view all the entries.

A young Dutch journalist has won this year's prestigious international Star Prize for Agricultural Journalism for a story written just months after she started working as a journalist. An extremely surprised Marleen van Sleuwen accepted the award in person at the IFAJ Congress in Japan. Her story focussed on the ethical dilemmas facing farmers when managing unhealthy piglets. Read more about the award, sponsored by John Deere, or take a look at her winning entry in either Dutch or English.

More than 180 delegates from 26 countries took part in the extraordinary 2007 IFAJ Congress in Japan last month. Delegates were surprised by Japanese agriculture and revelled in the unique culture showcased at the federation's first ever congress in Asia. To share their experiences, read the reflections of key organiser Masaru Yamada here or explore delegates' blogs, online stories and photographs here.

A major highlight of the congress was a televised session exploring Japan's food and agriculture from a global perspective. IFAJ delegates were joined by agricultural officials to form the studio audience for the session which was pre-recorded for broadcast on a local television station. A major coup for event organisers, the session involved a panel of pre-eminent speakers including former EU Commissioner of Agriculture Franz Fischler who is also heading up the organising committee for the 2008 IFAJ Congress.

Four young journalists took part in the Japanese congress after winning IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Awards. The UK's Clemmie Gleeson enjoyed the fascinating culture as well as the educational opportunities. Journalist and videographer Goran Djakovic from Serbia explored important trade issues. Jiri Masek from the Czech Republic discovered that one small email could lead to the experience of a lifetime, and Canadian Karli Flinta-Murphy revelled in the IFAJ's "international school of agriculture".

Paul Hooper also attended the congress after winning the 2007 Alltech Australian Young Leaders in Rural Journalism Award. Read how the experience helped him overcome the sense of professional isolation which challenges journalists working in Australia's far flung rural spaces.

A special lecture at the United Nations University in Tokyo has explored agriculture research for development from a journalist's viewpoint. Belgian IFAJ member Jacques Van Outryve gave the lecture in a lead up to the IFAJ Congress. Read more here.

A special prize draw will be open to delegates who register early for the next IFAJ Congress in Austria and Slovenia from September 10 to 14, 2008. A weekend farm holiday in either country will be offered free to each of six winners. To qualify people must register before the 'early bird' discount offer closes on March 31, 2008. As with the sold-out event in Japan, a limited number of places will be available so delegates are urged to book as soon as registrations open to avoid disappointment. Booking details will be announced in the next IFAJ E-News or wait for the congress website to go on line in November...

A website dedicated to the 2008 IFAJ Congress is due to go on line in early November. The address will be www.ifaj2008.com The site will carry detailed information about the program, which has the theme, 'From the mountains to the sea.'

The 2009 IFAJ Congress will be held in Fort Worth, Texas, in the U.S. from July 29 to August 5. If you would like more information contact Den Gardner at the American Agricultural Editors' Association, email ageditors@aol.com or Diane Johnson at the Livestock Publications Council, email dianej@flash.net

Revered farming correspondent for The Scotsman, Fordyce Maxwell, has been honoured with the Scottish Daily Newspaper Society's Lifetime Achievement Award. Click here to learn more.