J-Topics

Better Farming journalist wins two farm writing awards

Sep 14, 2009 - Posted by Regan Ray

Mary Baxter, a field editor with Better Farming magazine(and J-Source contributing editor) has won two Canadian Farm Writers' and Broadcasters' awards. Baxter was awarded...

Canadian Rural Research Network

Sep 01, 2009 - Posted by Mary Baxter

Launched earlier this year, the Canadian Rural Research Network web portal is intended as a catch-all for research relevant to Canada’s rural areas. The site has some handy links to rural studies from all over the world, offers international rural news, subject headings to speed searches for information and a bi-monthly e-mail update to subscribers.

Rural Women Making Change

Sep 01, 2009 - Posted by Mary Baxter

Rural Women Making Change is a research alliance between university researchers and women’s farm, labour and human resources groups. Their website offers summaries of some of their research projects that touch on subjects such as migrant workers, employment, rural policy, women’s organizations and transportation. Of particular interest is a search tool for a library catalogue that has compiled books, articles and other materials that offer insight into rural women’s issues.

To web or not to web

Mar 04, 2009 - Posted by Don Stoneman

Online publishing for a farm audience throws up a particular challenge. While urban-based journalists may be contemplating the virtues of using social networks such as Twitter to research and report stories, our readers may even lack access to reliable cell phone service or struggle to get cost-effective access to broadband. The infrastructure is patchy in many parts of rural Ontario, even within an easy drive of Toronto. Then there’s the challenge of reaching readers of a certain age. According to figure...

Coverage approach depends on timing

Jul 23, 2008 - Posted by Mary Baxter

One of the greatest challenges facing farm beat editors and reporters has to do with balancing their approach to coverage with the timing of publication.

Think tanks weigh in on the merits of ethanol

Jul 22, 2008 - Posted by Mary Baxter

As the merits of ethanol production become a mainstream issue, many in the agricultural sector argue the fuel is taking an unfair share of blame for its role in the world food crisis. Over the past eight months two Canadian think tanks have weighed in on the issue. Most recently...

Budget cuts plague farm beat

Jul 22, 2008 - Posted by Mary Baxter

Results from a survey coordinated by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists show that budget cuts and lack of time to look ahead are common concerns for those on the farm beat. However, with its tiny sampling –12 responded to the questions – this survey begs a larger sampling to add credibility to its results. Note that one of the concerns cited in terms of Canada’s farm beat is media convergence. The survey was published in the May/June issue of the IFAJ's E-newsletter.

International Federation of Agricultural Journalists

Mar 28, 2008 - Posted by Mary Baxter

The IFAJ is a non-political association for agricultural journalists in 29 countries. Each year the organization hosts a conference in one of its member countries. The event provides participants with the opportunity to meet peers from elsewhere and also to have a close look at agricultural practices in other parts of the world. The organization's site offers news about agricultural journalism, a monthly newsletter, tips about reporting in rural areas and links to its member organizations.

Canadian Farm Writers' Federation

Mar 28, 2008 - Posted by Mary Baxter

The CFWF is a national association for agricultural journalists and communicators. Along with hosting an annual conference, the organization offers annual awards for agricultural journalism and a listserv to provide a forum for its members to discuss issues to do with agricultural journalism and communication. CFWF also publishes a newsletter, which can be found on its site, as can links to the organization’s regional branches.

Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues

May 30, 2007 - Posted by Heather McCall

The Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues offers resources, reports and seminars to rural journalists with the aim of furthering excellence in community-based reporting. It's based at the University of Kentucky with academic partners at various institutions across the U.S. The Institute also publishes The Rural Blog, a daily digest of events, issues, trends and journalism in rural America, with story ideas and sources.

Agricultural Journalism

In agricultural journalism, complacency can often creep into reporting and discourage critical thought about the many, many issues associated with coverage. These range from questions about bias to the challenges of how to find fresh angles for such tightly focused beats. As concerned journalists with Better Farming magazine, we'll provide a mixture of summaries and links to topical articles that deal with these issues, as well as pieces developed specifically for J-Source.