CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT ISSUE

Best of NAMA 2026

Stay Informed
with these

Services
Agri Marketing Update
e-newsletter sent each Monday and Thursday
@AgriMarketing on Twitter
Farm Show Guide
Marketing Services Guide
Books:

National Agri-Marketing Association
NAMA Website
Upcoming Events
Chapters
Agri-Marketing Conf
Best of NAMA 2025












AG COMMUNICATORS NETWORK HONOR SIX RECIPIENTS AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING
Source: Agricultural Communicators Network

A year of excellence for ACN members, and a lifetime of excellence for two honorees were celebrated at the annual Awards Luncheon at Ag Media Summit, July 29 in Rogers, Arkansas. Thank you to Chuck Zimmerman, ZimmComm, for the photos. 2025 AMS Photo Album

Aaron Hager, weed scientist at the University of Illinois, earned the ACN Distinguished Service Award. For more than two decades, the Illinois native and longtime weed specialist has been a reliable source of no-nonsense, practical information for ag journalists across the country. Pam Smith nominated Hager.

Gregg Hillyer, longtime editor at Progressive Farmer, earned the ACN Lifetime Achievement Award. His award-winning career has included stints at several publications, including Wallace-Waters Farmer, Soybean Digest, and Farm Journal. The Iowa native was nominated by Greg Lamp and Kelly Schwalbe.

Other award winners are:

Andy Markwart Horizon Award: Courtney Leeper Girgis, Rooted Communications

ACN Photographer of the Year: Rob Mattson, Noble Research Institute

ACN Writer of the Year: Katie Knapp, The Ag Photographer

ACN Designer of the Year: Amy Gohman, CHS

Aaron Hager, ACN Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award recipient, middle, with nominee Pam Smith, DTN/Progressive Farmer, and Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.

Amy Gohman, left, CHS, earned the ACN Designer of the Year. She is pictured with ACN President Joy Crosby.

Courtney Leeper Girgis, left, was named the Andy Markwart Horizon Award recipient. She is pictured with Julie Deering, Past President of the Professional Improvement Foundation.

Gregg Hillyer, center, earned the ACN Lifetime Achievement Award. He is pictured with Matthew Wilde (left), CHS, which sponsors the award, and Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.

Katie Knapp, center, earned the Writer of the Year award. She is pictured with Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.

Rob Matson, right, earned the Photographer of the Year award. He is pictured with Pam Caraway, ACN Past President.


Search News & Articles














Proudly associated with:
Ag Media Council Canadian Agri-food Marketers Alliance National Agri-Marketing Association National Association of Farm Broadcasters
Agricultural Relations Council Agricultural Communicators Network Livestock Publications Council
All content © 2026, Henderson Communications LLC. | User Agreement