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ACDC News – Issue 26-05

Posted on by Janis Shearer

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 Arcadian – A new agricultural magazine

Sincere thanks to Warren Clark and Ryan Tipps who have helped us add to our unique, 800-plus ACDC collection of Volume 1 Number 1 issues of agricultural periodicals. Warren is editor/publisher of AgNewsCenter and Ryan is editor-in-chief of Arcadian, a beautiful new subscription-only agricultural magazine published by AgDaily.

“In an era where print media too often seems like an after-thought, we wanted to show how it can thrive if approached thoughtfully and purposefully,” Ryan explained in the V1N1 Winter 2026 issue. He provided a copy recently as newest addition to the ACDC collection. (By the way, a note on the cover explains that “arcadian” is an adjective relating to or constituting an ideal rural paradise.)

You can read the first Arcadian release via open access or by requesting the material at acdc@library.illinois.edu.

History of women’s country music

We are adding to the ACDC collection a book of interest which we identified recently in the University of Illinois Library: Stephanie Vander Wel (2020) Hillbilly Maidens, Okies, and Cowgirls: Women’s Country Music, 1930-1960. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. 250 pages.

“From the 1930s to the 1960s, the booming popularity of country music threw a spot light on a new generation of innovative women artists. These individuals blazed trails as singers, musicians, and performers even as the industry hemmed in their potential popularity…” Radio Station WLS, Chicago, and the “National Barn Dance” played a pioneering role. The author focused on Lulu Belle Wiseman, Patsy Montana, Rose Maddox, Kitty Wells, and Carolina Cotton.

Hillbilly Maidens, Okies, and Cowgirls is not available in full text by open access. However, please invite our help at acdc@library.illinois.edu if you are interested in borrowing, buying, or otherwise gaining access to it.

“Balancing data center growth with American agriculture”

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has developed a U.S. map showing the numbers and locations of data centers currently active or under construction. AFBF estimates there are 4,925 such centers across the nation.

“These facilities, often requiring hundreds of megawatts of power are increasingly sited in rural areas where land availability, energy access and proximity to transmission infrastructure make development possible.”

You can read “Farm Bureau: Balancing data center growth with American agriculture” by open access.

Community radio giving voice to the rural poor

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 2010 article in the International Journal of Rural Studies. Researcher Dhanraj A. Patil analyzed the contribution of community radio to helping deprived rural people in various parts of the world in general, and south Asia (India) in particular.

Findings revealed that the community radio movement has created grassroots-level participation and horizontal circulation of ideas among the deprived rural communities, “which are necessary preconditions to democratization of communication and redistribution of power.”

You can read “A voice for the voiceless: The role of community radio in the development of the rural poor” by open access.

Family farming for the future:

reflections from the United Nations

 We also are adding to the ACDC collection a 70-page book intended to inspire reflection on the role of communication in advancing family farming – the predominant form of agriculture in the world. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations published the book, “Farming for the Future,” in 2014.

“Communication lies at the core of the process of change that involves family farming. Smallholder family farmers and rural communities require access to information and communication to make their voices heard and change their lives for the better. This implies including communication for development (ComDev) as part of agricultural and rural development policies in order to promote dialogue and participation, harnessing the potential of new information and communication technologies … in combination with local media (such as community radio).”

You can read “Farming for the future: Communication efforts to advance family farming” by open access.

Communicator events approaching

Here are nearing events you may find helpful, including contact information you can use for details. We welcome suggestions or revisions for this calendar.

 May 31-June 2, 2026

Information for CCA 2026 Institute of the Cooperative Communicators Association in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

June 15-17, 2026

Information for “Trailheads & trailblazers.” 2026 annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Billings, Montana.

June 16-17, 2026

Information for 2026 annual meeting of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota.

July 19-21, 2026

Information about “Authentic Intelligence,” theme of the Ag Media Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. Hosted by Agricultural Communicators Network and Livestock Publications Council, with support from the Ag Media Council.

November 18-20, 2026

Information for the Annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) in Kansas City, Missouri.

Yes, of course

 We close this issue of ACDC News with what may be a timely end-of-school-year definition of “heredity.” It’s from The sunny side of genealogy.

Heredity: “Something you believe in when your child’s report card is all A’s.”

ACDC is a deep and open resource for you, so please feel free to invite our help as you search for information, local to global. You are welcome to follow us on Bluesky @illinois.acdc.bsky.social. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communications documents we might add to this unique and valued international collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, 510 ACES Library, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801) – or in electronic format sent to acdc@library.illinois.edu

 

ACDC News – Issue 25-07

Posted on by Janis Shearer

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“Protein-dazed, and still confused”

New research findings from the International Food Information Council suggest that America’s protein obsession is real – and rising. Yet, most consumers still do not know how much protein they actually need. Results of the 2025 IFIC Food and Health Survey show that 71 percent of Americans are trying to consume protein. Consumption has grown from 67 percent in 2023 and 59 percent in 2022. “Protein is riding a wave of popularity, powered by trends in weight management, fitness and healthy aging.” However, 79 percent of consumers report they are either unaware (53 percent) or unsure (26 percent) how much protein they should actually consume daily.

You can read “Protein-dazed, and still confused” by open access.

“The business case for getting your team to laugh together”

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 2022 commentary about the professional and personal value of humor during an era of constant connection, information overload, stress and stiff upper lip. Author Steve Cody, CEO of Peppercomm, leads a communications firm that serves clients involved in food and beverages, consumer lifestyle, finance, crisis management and other matters. He cited research indicating that organizations using humor as part of the culture experience shareholder returns 19 percent higher than their competitors.

“Humor connects people and encourages them to be present. Injecting humor and levity in our daily work interactions, even virtually, can actually change how our brains work, generating more alpha brainwaves that help us develop creative solutions, reduce stress and solve problems. Most important, it builds resiliency, which can help employees better navigate the challenges and changes we are facing on a regular basis and bounce back more quickly.”

You can read “The business case for getting your team to laugh together” by open access.

Six ways to become a go-to grocer

The produce industry offers a wealth of insights about communicating effectively in the food world. Here is a recent commentary published in The Packer. Columnist Armand Lobato shares tips to food stores about how to be a primary destination for consumers’ purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables.

  • Be neat and clean. Dirt repels sales.
  • Be consistently fresh
  • Don’t run out of product
  • Offer great variety
  • Offer great selection
  • Provide service with smile

You can read “6 ways to become a go-to grocer” by open access.

Agricultural Relations Council honoree

Congratulations to Robert Giblin who was inducted into the Agricultural Relations Council Hall of Fame at the ARC annual meeting during June. This 40-year communications veteran has held important roles in agency, corporate, government and military work. He is commended for excelling at crafting and executing communication initiatives that connect farmers, agribusiness leaders, policymakers and consumers. Within ARC, he served as president and “strategically led initiatives to secure ARC’s position as the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food and fiber industries.”

You can read “Bob Giblin to be inducted into Ag Relations Council’s Hall of Fame” by open access.

ACDC collection tops 51,000

We find special pleasure in reporting that the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center collection reached a total of more than 51,000 documents during June. A bulk upload of citations involved valuable information from a nine-box collection of documents contributed by Robert and Susanne Morris. ACDC personnel have been processing these materials during the past year. Based in Washington, D.C., Robert and Susanne have had a remarkable career of studies, research, and training in cross-cultural communication. We look forward to reporting more about them and their contributions in an approaching issue of ACDC News.

Communicator events approaching

Here are agricultural communicator event plans you may find helpful, including contact information you can use for details. We welcome suggestions or revisions for this calendar.

July 27-30, 2025
Agricultural Media Summit in Rogers, Arkansas. Member associations include Ag Media Council of SIIA AM&P Network, Agricultural Communicators Network (ACN) and Livestock Publications Council (LPC). Information: https://agmediasummit.com

July 27-29, 2025
Annual conference of National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT). This student organization meets in collaboration with Agricultural Media Summit in Rogers, Arkansas. Information: https://nactnow.org/upcoming-events

October 14-18, 2025
International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress in Nairobi, Kenya. Hosted by Kenya Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA). Information: https://www.ifaj.org/ifaj-congress2025-kenya/46175/

October 19-22, 2025
Annual meeting of the Communication Officers of State Departments of Agriculture (COSDA) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Information: https://www.nasda.org/about-nasda/affiliates/communication-officers-of-state-departments-of-agriculture-cosda/

November 7-9, 2025
ScienceWriters2025 in Chicago, Illinois, at the Marriott Chicago O’Hare. Hosted by the National Association of Science Writers and the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. Information: https:///www.nasw.org

November 19-21, 2025
National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) convention in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Westin Crown Center. Information: https://nafb.com/events/nafb-convention-0

No return to “default”

We close this issue of ACDC News from a piece of advice about communicating. It comes from the Farmer’s Almanac, with thanks to Paul Hixson for sharing it.

“You cannot unsay a cruel word”

ACDC is a deep and open resource for you, so please feel free to invite our help as you search for information, local to global. You are welcome to follow us on X @ACDCUIUC. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communications documents we might add to this unique and valued international collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, 510 ACES Library, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801) – or in electronic format sent to acdc@library.illinois.edu

ACDC News – Issue 20-09

Posted on by Janis Shearer

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Novel food technologies: Are they routes – or barriers – to healthier diets?

Swiss researchers Michael Siegrist and Christina Hartmann addressed that question in their 2020 Nature Food article, “Consumer acceptance of novel food technologies.” They used a narrative review to explore factors that may explain consumers’ acceptance of gene technology, nanotechnology, cultured meat, and food irradiation.  Outcomes centered on understanding and taking seriously what consumers think.

“…disruptive food technologies will be needed to progress towards a more resilient food system,” they concluded. Taking into account the factors influencing consumers’ perceptions of novel food technologies during the early stage of development and introduction will hopefully result in a higher acceptance of such technologies.”

You can read the article here.

Environmental knowledge brokers: much more than neutral intermediaries

A team of researchers in New Zealand focused on this broker role in their recent analysis of collaborative decision making about water use and quality in the south island region of Canterbury. Tracking perspectives among community-based groups, they identified flaws in the common view of brokers as helping link knowledge producers and users to objectively translate science into policy-useable knowledge.

“Knowledge brokers are often portrayed as neutral intermediaries that act as a necessary conduit between the spheres of science and policy,” authors observed.  In practice, though, these brokers found their role complex at multiple levels and often conflictual, messy, and value laden. Authors identified kinds of expertise this influential, active, and “profoundly precarious” role requires.

You can read their 2020 article by open access in Palgrave Communications.

Code of ethics for food journalists

We have added to the ACDC collection a code of ethics developed and used by the Association of Food Journalists. It introduces 5 key principles, 3 questions to consider when putting them to practice, and 10 additional guidelines for food journalists.

You can read the code here.

Views Canadians hold about an “obesity crisis”

Recently we added a 2016 research report on results of a national public opinion poll from the Angus Reid Institute.  Findings indicated that:

  • Most Canadians (58%) reported someone in their household who was overweight or obese, either themselves or another person.
  • The vast majority (81%) of those who were themselves overweight or obese said it’s something that worried them.
  • However, most Canadians didn’t rank the matter of obesity as a crisis
  • More than one-half (54%) said they viewed it as an issue of personal freedom.
  • “Though Canadians are wary of government telling them what to eat,” …. they expressed “high levels of support for many of the recommendations the Senate committee put forward.”

You can read the report here.

Advice to reporters about need to cover local community banks

Shrinking numbers of small community banks and increasing need for credit in agriculture prompted an article on the website of the National Center for Business Journalism. Author Yu Zhang highlighted some recent changes and trends, then offered several story approaches for journalists. The 2017 article remains timely.

You can read it here.

Welcoming two new ACDC associates

We are delighted to welcome two new graduate assistants as this academic year begins. Both are candidates for graduate degrees in library and information science here at the University of Illinois.

Eunchae Hong earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Illinois and gained archiving experience in the Illinois Fire Service Institute. She also has circulation experience from the Illinois Law Library and skills in marketing and outreach.

Kevin Wiggins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). He brings work experience from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, UNI Rod Library, UNI Museum, and Living History Farms, Urbandale, Iowa.

Communicator events approaching

Uncertainties of the COVID-19 health issue continue to prompt flexible event planning. Here are plans of which we are aware, with website addresses you can use to track updates.

 

September 14 through October 20, 2020

“British Library Food Season 2020.” Online program featuring the culture, history, sustainability, literature and future of food. Many of the programs during this period are free. Source: Guild of Food Writers, based in the United Kingdom.

Information: https://bl.uk/events/food-season

 

November 6-17, 2020 (virtual conference rescheduled from on-site)

“Virtual Summit.” Ag Media Summit 2020 is a gathering of agricultural media and communications professionals. It is hosted by AAEA – The Ag Communicators Network and Livestock Publications Council (LPC).

Information: https://agmediasummit.com/

 

November 18-20, 2020 (virtual convention rescheduled from on-site)

“A trusted friend to agriculture.” Annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB).

Information:  https://nafb.com/events/nafb-convention

 

April 12-15, 2021

“Mediterranean Agriculture, Food and Environment.” Annual conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Information: https://aiaee2021.wordpress.com/

From climate to pandemic?

A year ago, the term “climate emergency” was peaking to become Oxford Dictionaries “Word of the Year” for 2019. Global use of that term surpassed all other types of emergency to become the most written about emergency by a huge margin. We close this issue of ACDC News wondering if the coronavirus pandemic may be emerging as “Word of the Year” for 2020. Or what candidates might you expect?

Please pass along your “Word of the Year” candidate(s) here.

Best regards and wishes during this challenging time

ACDC is a resource for you, so please feel free to invite our help as you search for information. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @ACDCUIUC. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communications documents we might add to this unique and valuable international collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Comm Documentation Center, Room 510, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801) – or in electronic format sent to acdc@library.illinois.edu

ACDC News – Issue 20-08

Posted on by Janis Shearer

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“Win the Davidson Leader. Let’s keep the local news alive”

That banner headline in the December 2, 2019, issue of the Davidson Leader rural community newspaper represented a first for Canada. Publisher and owner Tara de Ryk, was giving the 116-year-old paper away – through an essay contest. She had edited this Saskatchewan weekly for 21 years, most of those as owner and publisher. It had repaid her investment and provided funds for retirement.

Now ready to move on from newspapering, she announced that the paper was for sale and found no interest. She considered closing it down, but local residents urged her to reconsider.  A fellow community journalist suggested she conduct a contest to identify “some young up-and-coming good journalist” who has interest and skills but lacks financing to buy into the business. That’s what she did. For a $1 entry fee, contestants could write an essay (500 words maximum) about why they would be “the perfect fit to take over this well-established newspaper business.”

You can learn more about the outcome of this “kind of crazy” adventure by reading an article, “This Publisher Launched a Contest to Give Her Newspaper Away For $1” in the Ryerson Review of Journalism.

How next-generation farmers and consumers in five countries view food and farming ahead

We recently added to the ACDC collection a 24-page research report about how more than 3,000 16- to 38-year-old farmers and consumers in five countries view the future of food and farming. Conducted during 2019 by research firm Kantar and commissioned by Corteva Agriscience, this survey tapped into a 20-year vision held by these two groups in Brazil, China, France, Russia, and the U.S.

In particular, they expressed shared interest in protecting the future of food, securing the future of independent farms, amplifying engagement between farmers and consumers, and confronting climate change.

You can read “The Future of Food and Farming” from Corteva.

Climate change in the American mind

That title identifies a 2019 survey report from the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication and George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication.  It provided findings from a nationally representative survey involving 1,291 U.S. adults during March 29-April 8, 2019.

An executive summary of this 71-page report highlighted 17 aspects of responses in terms of existence, risks, causes, levels of concern, interactions about, information sources used, and local implications.

You can read the “Climate Change In the American Mind” from the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication and George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication.

Teaching environmental reporting – “a daunting undertaking”

That’s how University of Colorado researchers Richard Stevens and Deserai Crow introduced their research report about teaching journalism students how to report on complex topics like science and the environment.  After examining contemporary literature, they engaged 120 journalism class members in a strategy that combined visual representations of abstract concepts, media texts, and interactions by blogging and discussion. They found that students improved dramatically in their grasp of scientific data, critical analysis, and applications of theoretical frameworks to questions.

You can read their article, “Teaching Millennials to engage THE environment instead of THEIR environment: A pedagogical analysis” in Applied Environmental Education and Communication.

Fond farewells to Courtney and Emily

Congratulations and hearty thanks to our departing ACDC graduate assistants, Emily Benton and Courtney Smith. Both recently completed their graduate degrees in Library and Information Sciences in the iSchool here at the University of Illinois.

In a wide range of ways, they strengthened the collection, operations, and services of the Center – always in great spirit. They will be missed here and have our best wishes.

What Czech food producers experienced using regional food labels: Mixed results

This 2019 journal article involved promotion of local foods. It featured results of a telephone survey among 208 producers who used the Czech “Regional Food” quality label. Reported findings:

  • Producers saw a positive improvement of sales following acquisition of the label.
  • They did not notice greater interest in their products during campaigns to support awareness of the Regional Food label.

Findings prompted a recommendation that it is worthwhile to keep the regional food label but improve its visibility by better marketing support.  Examples included more visible and frequent local events and more assistance in securing new distribution channels, such as government institutions, schools, and hospitals.

You can read the article “Benefits of regional food quality labels for Czech producers” at Journal on Food System Dynamics.

Communicator events approaching

Uncertainties of the COVID-19 health issue continue to prompt flexible event planning. Here are plans of which we are aware, with website addresses you can use to track updates.

September 15-17, 2020 (virtual conference rescheduled from on-site in June)

“Spice up your creativity.” Virtual Institute of the Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA).

Information: https://www.communicators.coop/professional-development/cca-institute

November 14-18, 2020 (on-site conference rescheduled from July 25-29)

“Ag Media Summit 2020.”  AMS is a gathering of agricultural media and communications professionals in Kansas City, Missouri. It involves AAEA – Agricultural Communicators Network, Livestock Publications Council, (LPC), and Connectiv Ag Media Council.

Information: https://agmediasummit.com/

November 18-20, 2020 (virtual convention rescheduled from on-site)

Annual convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) will be held virtually. Additional information on the set-up and registration for registrants and Trade Talk exhibitors will be announced by September 1.

The worst of cowboy writing

In closing, we hope to inspire you with the winning entry in the Western category of the 2019 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest. You may recall this whimsical international literary competition, sponsored by the English Department of San Jose State University, California. Entrants are challenged to compose opening sentences in the worst of all possible novels.

Stephanie Karnosh of Springboro, Ohio, topped the Western category of worseness with this entry:

“Yeehaw, boys, and so long,” called Eugene ‘Bullettooth Dynamite’ Jones as he rode off into the torrential downpour  on his 32-inch-tall miniature horse, Kevin, hiding a frown because he knew deep down in his heart he had yeed his last haw.”

Best regards and wishes during this challenging time

ACDC is a resource for you, so please feel free to invite our help as you search for information. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @ACDCUIUC. And please suggest (or send) agricultural communications documents we might add to this unique and valuable international collection. We welcome them in hard copy (sent to Ag Comm Documentation Center, Room 510, 1101 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801) – or in electronic format sent to acdc@library.illinois.edu