ACDC Newsletter

ACDC News – Issue 26-01

Posted on by Abby McBride

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Adding updates about the police raid on a rural community newspaper

We are adding to the ACDC collection recent updates about results of a police raid during 2023 on the Marion County Record in rural Kansas. The raid sparked local, national, and international interest related to the issue of press freedom.

New name for IFAJ

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists is changing identity to the International Forum of Agricultural Journalists.

This change is prompted by efforts of IFAJ to register with the British government as a limited corporation. IFAJ newsletter explains: “Under British law, IFAJ’s voting system does not allow us to call ourselves a ‘federation,’ a term reserved for organizations that operate under a one-member, one-vote system.

“After a member survey in September and an in-depth discussion of the IFAJ Executive at the 2025 Congress in Kenya, the Delegate Assembly accepted the Executive’s recommendation to rename IFAJ the International Forum of Agricultural Journalists.”

The new name will take effect when registration papers are approved by Britain’s Companies House.

Revised white paper addresses data ethics and stewardship in agriculture

“The rapid advancement of data-driven technologies in agriculture offers immense potential to enhance productivity, sustainability, and economic resilience. However, this increasing reliance on data brings ethical, legal, and stewardship challenges that must be addressed to ensure responsible use and equitable benefits for all stakeholders.”

Ag Gateway, a global non-profit organization, sketched that scenario to announce revision of a long-standing “White paper on data ethics and stewardship” in August 2025. The 42-page revised paper involves key principles that emphasize the importance of privacy, ownership, transparency, fairness, and responsible governance in agricultural data management.

You can read “AgGateway releases revised data ethics and stewardship white paper” by open access.

“Food writing needs to balance service journalism with hard news”

We are adding to the ACDC collection this 2021 commentary in Nieman Reports. Author Brett Anderson suggested that “food journalism isn’t just for readers privileged enough to obsess over where to spend their money dining out.”

You can read “Food writing needs to balance service journalism with hard news” by open access.

Communicator events approaching

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

April 13-16, 2026

“Charting new territory in agricultural and extension education.” Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) in San Jose, Costa Rica. Information: https://aiaee.org/2026aiaeeconference/

April 15-17, 2026

“Hungry for more.” 2026 Agri-Marketing Conference of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in St. Louis, Missouri.

Information: https://nama.org/hungry-for-more.html

April 15-18, 2026

“SEJ 2026.” Conference of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) in Chicago, Illinois.

Information: SEJ2026 Annual Conference — Presented by the Society of Environmental Journalists

April 28-30, 2026

“TOCA rocks!” Annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) in Cleveland, Ohio.

Information: https://toca.org/toca-annual-meeting/

May 14-16, 2026

2026 annual equine media conference of American Horse Publications (AHP) in Lexington, Kentucky.

Information: https://americanhorsepubs.org/ahp-annual-conference/

Best wishes for the New Year

We close this first 2026 issue of ACDC News with a Dutch proverb about communicating and thinking ahead:

“Go softly and look afar”

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 welcomed to follow us on Bluesky @illinoisacdc. 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 25-12

Posted on by Abby McBride

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Emerging and evolving trends in agricultural data

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 42-page white paper about ethical, legal, and stewardship challenges “that must be addressed to ensure responsible use and equitable benefits for all stakeholders.”

It was produced by AgGateway, a global, non-profit consortium of businesses that helps member companies and associate stakeholders address connectivity, seamless data flow, and data exchange issues. You can read “AgGateway releases revised data ethics and stewardship white paper” by open access.

Contested ethics about UK maritime space

Findings of newspaper coverage in the United Kingdom revealed “a confusion of contested ethical claims” about maritime space. This research was published in Maritime Studies (2024) and involved the period 2012-2020. Findings of the analysis revealed no sustained coverage, little that communicated with a national audience, little investigative reporting, and no predominance of London-based newspapers in news production.

You can read “A discursive field of contested ethics: Reporting the UK’s blue economy in the making” by open access.

Five-year analysis of cover crop adoption in the U.S.

A 2025 summary highlights trends in the adoption of cover crops, as identified by Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) surveys for the last five years. Among the findings:

  • From 2021 to 2025 the percentage of AEB respondents who reported that they currently use cover crops ranged from 52% to 57%. They averaged 53% in September 2025.
  • 26% of September 2025 respondents reported having never planted cover crops.

You can read “Cover crop adoption: results from five years of ag economy barometer surveys” by open access.

Remembering an Australian rural journalist

Looking back at 2025, we are mindful of a special professional friend who died during September. Neil Inall was an Australian journalist, television presenter and agronomist. In 1962 he joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as a rural broadcaster at a station based in Orange, New South Wales. He became known for producing and presenting popular national rural affairs programs on radio and television. He was named Man of the Year in Australian Agriculture (1980) and in 2009 was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the farming and rural sector.

You can read more about his career activities in an article, “Vale Neil Inall,” in Beef Central.

New ACDC exhibit features the history of farm radio

The flat exhibit case with papers and cassette tapes.With special pleasure, we announce a new ACDC exhibit in the ACES Funk Library. Associate Abby McBride created, designed, and installed it. The exhibit provides a brief overview of farm radio history. Primarily using materials from the ACDC collection, it features information found in newspapers, books, and physical audio-visual media, including CDs, cassettes, and film. The collection contains 242 documents related to the history of farm radio, tracing back more than a century.

Communicator event approaching

Here is an agricultural communicator event 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

Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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

A bedtime prayer

We close this year-end issue of ACDC News with a bedtime prayer by Frank Skinner:

“I thought tonight I’d just listen for a change. No pressure.”

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 welcomed to follow us on Twitter @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 25-11

Posted on by Abby McBride

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How ‘ugly’ produce is reshaping the food waste conversation

A recent study at Columbia Business School has revealed how consumer preference for cosmetically-perfect fruits and vegetables contributes to billions of pounds of food waste.

An article in The Packer described this study. It reported that roughly 40 percent of produce in the U.S. goes uneaten. A significant share of that waste comes not from spoilage but from rejection based on appearance alone. “Bruised apples, spotted bananas and oddly shaped vegetables are often discarded by farmers, retailers and consumers – even when they are perfectly edible.” The article also mentions some efforts being made to change perceptions and reduce waste.

You can read “In the eye of the beholder: How ‘ugly’ produce is reshaping the food waste conversation” by open access.

Challenges in covering local trauma

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 2011 article in Journalism Studies. It explored the impact of media coverage in a rural community where a high-profile murder had occurred. In a broader sense, researchers examined the evolution of journalistic responsibility in covering local trauma and offered suggestions for journalism educators:

  • Help emerging journalists develop the skill to “reflect in action” while interviewing survivors or covering news items about communities that experience trauma
  • Help local residents reflect on meanings and implications in the immediate environment
  • Encourage the norm of collaboration between journalism researchers and journalism professionals

You can read “Between a rock and a hard place” by open access.

Lynn Henderson honored for a distinguished career

Congratulations to Lynn Henderson, owner of Henderson Communications and publisher of Agri Marketing magazine. He recently received the 2025 Dean Floyd Andre Award from Iowa State University. This award recognizes a College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumnus or friend who has made outstanding contributions to production agriculture and agricultural business.

Lynn has “left a lasting mark on American agriculture through a distinguished career in ag media and communications.”

You can read “Agri Marketing’s publisher Lynn Henderson receives…” by open access.

Investigating punitive attitudes toward crime in Australia

A 2025 article in the Journal of Rural Studies explores differences in punitive attitudes toward crime among rural and urban Australians. Researchers used survey data from a representative sample of the Australian public. Findings indicated:

  • Australians hold somewhat punitive attitudes, with rural respondents being significantly more punitive.
  • Increased fear of crime and a lack of confidence in the criminal justice system moderate the rural-urban difference

You can read “Punitive attitudes in Australia: investigating the rural-urban divide” by open access.

Welcome to Alinafe Nyasulu

Alinafe taking a selfieWe are delighted to welcome Alinafe Ngindo Nyasulu as a new graduate assistant in the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center. Alinafe is a second-year student in the iSchool here at the University of Illinois. She earned an undergraduate degree in Library and Information Science at Mzuzu University in Malawi, Africa. She brings information management, grant writing, archival processing, and reference experiences to this position as well as experience with the University of Illinois Archives. As a part-time ACDC associate, Alinafe will catalog/process materials and identify preservation needs, alongside a variety of specialist projects.

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.

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

May 31-June 2, 2026

Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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

Oh, no! We are losing laughs

We are sorry to learn that the tongue-in-cheek Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest sponsored by the English Department at San Jose State University in California is ending. You may recall that each year interested persons were invited to compose and submit the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels. In a spirit of melancholy, we close this issue of ACDC News with a 2024 entry related to food. It received a Dishonorable Mention in the Science Fiction category:

“To help maintain the spirit of the entire Apollo 15 crew during their lengthy and monotonous space journey, NASA scientists sent along fun snacks for everyone, including Space Food Sticks for the Lunar Astronauts and Space Food Milk-Bones for the Lunar Rover.”

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 welcomed to follow us on Twitter @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 25-10

Posted on by Abby McBride

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Insights in the 2025 U.S. Food and Health Survey

Here are examples of findings in this new survey research report from the International Food Information Council:

  • 64 percent graded their diet as a B- or better, while only 24 percent gave the same grade to the average American’s diet.
  • Awareness of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans continued to grow – to 44 percent saying they know at least a fair amount about DGA. That’s nearly double the share from 2009.
  • 57 percent said they now follow a specific diet or eating style – up sharply from 36 percent in 2018 and led by focus on high-protein eating.
  • More than 80 percent fell short of recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

You can read “Americans grade themselves better than average for diet healthfulness” by open access.

Recent topics in the Journal of Applied Communications

The third 2025 issue of JAC includes these articles:

“Sorting out the details: A Q method study investigating wheat industry        professionals’ soil health management practices, information needs, and communication preferences” by Maureen Victoria, Jean A. Parrella, Holli Leggette, Morgan Orem, Jamie Foster, Haly Neely, and Clark Neely

“An assessment of college students’ use of social media for agriculture-related information seeking” by Enoch Teye Kwao Ametepey, Casandra K. Cox Dr, Kobina Danful Fanyinkah, and Grace Vehige

“When machines speak science: Testing consumers’ perceptions of AI-generated communication messages” by Alexa J. Lamm, Kevan W. Lamm, Allison R. Byrd, Masoud Yazdanpanah, Nicholas K. Gabler, Anna K. Johnson, Catherine Sanders, Fallys Masambuka-Kanchewa, and Michael S. Retallick

“Exploring the use of infographics to alter consumer opinions and perceptions of sustainability within the U.S. beef industry” by Gabriella F. Johnson, David S. Martin, Jason T. Sawyer, and Don Mulvaney

You can read these articles by open access to the issue via https://newprairiepress.org/jac/vol109/iss3.

Many Iowa farmers who adopted conservation practices dropped them

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 2025 research summary from Iowa State University which “sheds light on the evolving landscape of agricultural conservation in Iowa.” Findings published in Society & Natural Resources revealed that “many farmers who adopted two key conservation practices – cover crops and no-till – did not continue to use the practices …”

“The study shows that adoption is not a one-time decision – it’s a dynamic process influenced by a range of factors. …we need to understand the degree to which farmers are disadopting conservation practices, and figure out how to help them maintain the practices over time.”

You can read “Study finds many farmers who adopted conservation practices drop them over time” by open access.

How adolescents respond to food advertising (unhealthy and healthy)

“Regulation of unhealthy food advertising should address adolescents and social media.” That was the conclusion by authors of a 2020 article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Here are some of the reasons, based on research among secondary school children in Dublin and Ennis, Ireland:

  • Advertisements for unhealthy food evoked significantly more positive responses, compared to non-food and healthy food
  • Adolescents were more likely to wish to share unhealthy posts
  • They were more likely to recall and recognize more unhealthy food brands

You can read “See, like, share, remember: Adolescents’ responses to unhealthy, healthy and non-food advertising in social media” by open access.

Welcome to Abby McBride

Portrait photo of Abby McBride smiling at the cameraWe are delighted to welcome Abby McBride to ACDC as a new graduate student with a part-time appointment. Abby is a first-year student in the School of Information Sciences here at the University of Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at DePauw University. She brings experiences in archival processing, preservation, event planning, and community building to this position. She will catalog and process materials, identify preservation needs, and work on a variety of special projects.

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.

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 12-13, 2025

“Communicating the Science in Agriculture.” Fall virtual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences (ACE). Highlighting the power and purpose of science communication. Information: https://ACEweb.org/fall-virtual-conference

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

May 31-June 2, 2026

Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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

A lesson from the rice stalk

During this Midwest U.S. harvest season, we close this issue of ACDC News with a Tagalog proverb from the Philippines. It advises being down-to-earth and humble:

“Be like a rice stalk. The more grain it bears, the lower it bends.”

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 welcomed to follow us on Twitter @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 25-09

Posted on by Abby McBride

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this issue

Imagine growing fresh food in space

A recent news report in The Packer introduced the Mars Lunar Greenhouse Prototype Project at the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, University of Arizona. Director Murat Kacira explained in a webinar what it takes to grow fresh produce in space.

“Space agriculture systems not only need to provide for the dietary needs of astronauts, but also their psychological well-being,” Kacira emphasized. Nutrition, menu fatigue, behavior health and systems resiliency become important, as well as education and training. Especially with our young generation, “we need a variety of skill sets, and controlled environment agriculture is one of them.”

You can read “What it takes to grow produce in space” by open access.

Shedding light on a silent epidemic in agriculture

A recent article in The Packer explains that agriculture has the fourth-highest suicide rate by industry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty percent of U.S. farmers meet the accepted medical criteria for depression.

Two documentaries are shedding light on the challenges of a rural mental health crisis. “Muckville” and “Out of the Shadows” follow the lives of farmers “grappling with overwhelming stress – and the courage it takes to talk about it.”

You can read “A silent epidemic: Confronting mental health in U.S. agriculture” by open access.

Should cows graze? UK farmers view the ethics of it

This 2024 article in Sociologia Ruralis featured a relational approach to understanding farmer views of the practice in the United Kingdom. About 20 percent of dairy farms in the UK house cows all year around. Among the findings:

  • In terms of animal welfare, participants were reluctant to see a distinction between farms that graze and those that do not.
  • They valued the positive affective experience of grazing their cows on their own farm.

You can read “Should cows graze? A relational approach to understanding farmer perspectives on the ethics of grazing and indoor dairy systems” by open access.

 Local news media not covering what’s local for rural residents?

Evidence of “yes” – and signs of a rural-urban gap — appeared in a 2019 report of findings we are adding to the ACDC collection from the Pew Research Center. Sixty-two percent of U.S. adults surveyed in urban areas said local news media mostly cover where you live, compared with only 41 percent of rural residents. Such findings arouse concern among many journalism watchers who follow trends and effects of newsroom staffing cutbacks and media consolidation.

You can read “For many rural residents in U.S., local news media mostly don’t cover the area where they live” by open access.

 Spotting a rural-urban divide in Europe

 The divide appeared in recently-reported results of a 2020 Eurobarometer survey. A 2024 issue of Political Studies included survey findings that involved 24,328 individuals living in 27 European Union member states. Findings identified place of residence (urban, peri-urban, and rural) as a “significant predictor of attitudes for almost all dimensions of agricultural policy.”

“The differences are most striking for environmental and climate-related aspects of agricultural policy, as well as for its goal of generating growth and jobs in rural areas. From this, we conclude there is a rural-urban divide involving agricultural policy, which policymakers should be aware of and attempt to address.”

You can read “Europeans’ attitudes toward the goals of agricultural policy: A case of rural-urban divide?” by open access.

 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.

October 15-18, 2025
“Unlocking the agricultural potential in the cradle of mankind.” 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

Ah, the wonders of deadlines

 We close this issue of ACDC News with a thought from Douglas Adams:

“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”

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 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

April News and Research from the ACDC– Issue 25-04

Posted on by Yanling Liu

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this issue

How consumers define “truth”
in food and agriculture these days

“New consumer research from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) in partnership with FMI – The Food Industry Association – challenges conventional wisdom about what’s considered credible and ‘true’ in today’s food system.” We are adding this 2025 research report to the ACDC collection.

Online behaviors of 4,000 U.S. consumers over a two-year period revealed that consumers in the largest of five consumer segments – “comfort seeker” – tended to see truth grounded in reassurance (simple, safe and familiar). Interestingly, consumer orientation to the “rationalist” segment (truth grounded in science, research, reason) represented only 19 percent of the population and 15 percent of the conversation owned by that segment.

You can read “New research reveals how consumers define ‘truth’ in food and agriculture” by open access.

New book about farm country (and rural journalism)

We are especially pleased to add to the ACDC collection a 2024 book about “a journalist’s decadeslong search for the soul of rural America in a changing world.”

We feel this pleasure because books reflecting the efforts and lives of agricultural journalists and communicators are few and far between. Jim Patrico’s Dispatches from Farm Country reflects his more than 40 years of experience interviewing and photographing rural residents in varied enterprises and communities throughout the nation.

“Dispatches from Farm Country tells intimate stories that enchant and inform. They give the reader a better understanding of rural America and help bridge the gaps between cities and small towns.” You can learn more about it at: https://jimpatrico.com/book

“2025 NAFB Listenership Research”

We also are adding to ACDC a 21-page report of findings from a new national farm radio listenership study involving 1,001 U.S. farmers and ranchers who listen to agricultural radio. Kynetec Research conducted it online and by phone during January and February 2025 for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB). Among the findings:

  • Typically, farmers and ranchers listen while driving a vehicle or operating farm equipment
  • More than one-third said they tune in more than once a day
  • Ag markets and local weather are the most important kinds of information for which they tune to ag radio
  • 42 percent of respondents selected radio as their first choice source for trustworthy ag news and information
  • 59 percent said that hearing a farm broadcaster mention a product or company has an impact on their perception of the product/company

You can read “2025 NAFB Listenership Research” by open access.

Key focus areas for grocers as they look ahead

Online grocery shopping is becoming mainstream, according to results of a 2024 survey by VTEX, a commerce platform for business-to-consumer and business-to-business brands and retailers. VTEX surveyed 1,000 U.S. adult consumers and reported:

  • 47 percent of respondents said they order 26-50 percent of their groceries online
  • 60 percent prefer home delivery for their online grocery orders

This finding “underscores the importance of grocers prioritizing their digital offerings.” It suggests that brands which fail to meet these evolving consumer preferences risk losing market share to more digitally savvy competitors.”

You can read “VTEX survey reveals 69% of consumers…” by open access.

Congratulations, Yanling Liu

We are delighted to learn that ACDC associate Yanling Liu was announced this month as recipient of the 2024-2025 Outstanding Graduate Student Award. The award recognizes graduate student employees for exceptional accomplishments and service to the University of Illinois Library.

Yanling is a candidate for the Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science here. She contributes importantly to the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (including ACDC News) as a graduate assistant in the Funk Library of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

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.

April 29-May 1, 2025
Annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) in Charleston, South Carolina.

June 16-18, 2025
“Say cheese!” Annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

June 24-25, 2025
“Kickin’ it in KC” Annual conference of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) in Kansas City, Missouri.

July 9-13, 2025
Annual conference of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) in Brookings, South Dakota.

July 27-30, 2025
Agricultural Media Summit in Rogers, Arkansas. Member associations include Ag Media Council of SIIA AM&P Network, Agricultural Communicators Network and Livestock Publications Council.

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.

“Listen to me”

We close this April issue of ACDC News with a Welsh proverb. We, too, observe that the tendency may apply beyond birds.

“Every bird relishes its own voice.”

A friendly reminder:

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 welcomed to follow us on Twitter @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

March News and Research from the ACDC– Issue 25-03

Posted on by Yanling Liu

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this issue

Working alone in US rural journalism

“While journalists across the globe report facing difficult labor conditions, US rural journalists face particularly acute conditions – often tasked with conducting many of the hardest tasks of journalism but with little financial, staff, or emotional support.” So began the abstract of a recent article in Journalism Practice.

Researchers explored how a sample of rural journalists said they manage their labor expectations and the challenges of working alone in remote conditions. Findings revealed them driven by promise of community and social cohesion. However, they reported finding their labor maximized, their benefits minimized, and themselves facing an increasingly hostile audience.

“That s**t is hard to get away from”: Working alone in US rural journalism” is not available in full text by open access. However, if you are interested in reading it please invite our help at acdc@library.illinois.edu

Trust at a tipping point

Results of a 2024 survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) reflect lack of trust among Americans in science involving food, nutrition, and diet.

Findings suggested that less than half of Americans strongly trust this science. Approximately 1 in 5 American consumers (21 percent) said they are distrusting. Here are some factors noted in this research summary from IFIC:

  • “Misinformation on the internet is rampant”
  • Individual ideology can contradict expert advice
  • Science is complex
  • Perception that recommendations keep shifting

“The current state of consumer trust in science is a pressing call to action for organizations like ours, focused on public service and health improvement.”

You can read “Trust at a tipping point” by open access.

How are Africans talking about climate
change and who is doing the talking?

That title introduced a 2023 article we are adding to the ACDC collection from the Journal of African Media Studies. Authors Rebecca Pointer and Samuel Matsiko analyzed key messages emerging from mainstream media and Twitter users in all 54 African countries. Quantitative data involving mainstream media were gathered during October 2020 through September 2021. Twitter data involved May through September 2021.

“While the nature of mainstream media coverage varies across the top five countries, a slight shift towards articles focused on adaptation and mitigation was observed, away from purely disaster narratives. Worryingly, for Twitter, very few African voices are tweeting about climate change and what they are tweeting does not draw much attention to pertinent issues on the continent in respect of climate change.”

You can read “How are Africans talking about climate change and who is doing the talking?” by open access.

Four ways to connect with conscious consumers

Consultant Steve Lerch offered four suggestions during the 2024 Global Organic Produce Expo (GOPEX) in Florida:

  • Regularly use Google Trends to stay up to date on consumer interests and trends
  • Review competitors’ and partners’ messaging and advertising to understand the “clutter” consumers are exposed to
  • Simplify bland messaging to focus on the single most important value proposition
  • Explore creative, authentic ways to connect with consumers, even if it means trying new platforms such as TikTok

You can read “How companies can connect with conscious consumers” by open access.

“Tackling the food industry and farmer disconnect”

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 2022 brief from the Center for Food Integrity (CFI). It notes that the “food and agriculture industries often talk about the disconnect between food production and consumers. However, the food industry and farmer disconnect is just as real.”

“… what we’ve found through our work at CFI is that bringing consumers and farmers together to listen and learn from each other can bridge the gap and serve as a pathway to earning trust. It’s an approach that’s needed with farmers and the food industry, too. …conversations between farmers and food companies should be happening more frequently to forge relationships.”

You can read “Tackling the food industry and farmer disconnect” by open access.

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.

April 9-11, 2025
“NAMA Palooza” Conference of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in Kansas City, Missouri.

April 14-17, 2025
“From the highlands to the islands: Bridging community learning and development through extension” Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) in Inverness, Scotland.

April 29-May 1, 2025
Annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) in Charleston, South Carolina.

June 16-18, 2025
“Say cheese!” Annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

June 24-25, 2025
Annual conference of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) in Kansas City, Missouri.

July 9-13, 2025
Annual conference of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) in Brookings, South Dakota.

A lesson about time

We close this issue of ACDC News with a thought from Lucille S. Harper, freelance writer:

“Time is a great healer but a poor beautician.”

A friendly reminder:

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 welcomed to follow us on Twitter @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

February News and Research from the ACDC– Issue 25-02

Posted on by Yanling Liu

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this issue

Three produce trends for food retailers

Tom Cingari Jr., vice-president of produce, floral and e-commerce for Cingari Family Markets, recently cited three emerging fruit and vegetable trends:

• Local and hyperlocal assortments of produce
• Produce-centric snacking with on-the-go options such as seasoned roasted chickpeas, dehydrated beet chips, and cut exotic fruits
• Functional and medicinal fruits and vegetables such as high-antioxidant berries and turmeric root through in-store education and curated wellness sections

You can read “Grocer offers 3 produce trends for retailers” in The Packer by open access.

“Rescuing and reviving rural journalism”

A recent article in Journalism Practice identified “a clear disconnect” between perceptions of rural U.S. newspaper publishers and their readers. Differences appeared between what revenue streams publishers of rural newspapers are willing to implement and what revenue streams readers are potentially willing to endorse.

Surveys among both groups suggested that more innovative funding opportunities (such as events, e-newsletters, memberships, and donations) and content updates would better serve the future of local news. For example, two-thirds of surveyed readers (especially those under age 55) said they would either help or consider helping their newspaper if they knew it was struggling financially.

“Revenue and readership: Rescuing and reviving rural journalism” is not available in full text by open access. However, if you are interested in reading it please invite our help at acdc@library.illinois.edu.

Emotional appeals in communicating
about cheeses from certain territories

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 2022 article in Foods journal about effectiveness of positive and negative appeals in promoting agri-foods. It fits into a long tradition of research about communications appeals.

Researchers tested the reactions of a sample of Italian consumers to two videos. One aimed primarily at eliciting positive emotions derived from description of the product. The second aimed to generate negative emotions first (i.e., humans’ loss of contact with nature and traditions), then eliciting positive emotions by presenting cheese production using traditional techniques as a solution to the problem.

You can read “The role of emotional sequence in the communication of the territorial cheeses: A neuromarketing approach” by open access.

How Chinese farm households use
Internet to gain business choice

Results reported in a recent Smart Agricultural Technology article suggested that “Internet usage significantly promoted farmers’ entrepreneurial choice, and the estimated effects are robust.” Usage mainly affected choices through financial capital, social networks, and attitudes about risk preference.

You can read “Using internet technology for business entrepreneurial choice: Evidence from Chinese farming households” by open access.

Organic agriculture: A fountain of alternative innovations

This article in Cleaner and Circular Bioeconomy addressed a broad global shift in the agri-food complex – from a modernization paradigm to a sustainability paradigm of agricultural development.

Researchers Vincent Canwat and Stephen Onakuse identified some organic agriculture innovations and assessed how they overcome the social, economic, and ecological challenges of conventional agriculture in the context of a developing country (Kenya). In this case report, innovations have involved financial arrangements, peer learning systems, agri-tourism, pest and disease management, fertility management, new marketing channels, new product delivery services and advertising methods, certification systems, improved product standards, and others. They noted, however, that organic agriculture policy innovation remains a major challenge.

You can read “Organic agriculture: A fountain of alternative innovations for social, economic, and environmental challenges of conventional agriculture in a developing country context” by open access.

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.

April 9-11, 2025
“NAMA Palooza” Conference of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in Kansas City, Missouri.

April 14-17, 2025
“From the highlands to the islands: Bridging community learning and development through extension” Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) in Inverness, Scotland.

April 29-May 1, 2025
Annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) in Charleston, South Carolina.

June 16-18, 2025
“Say cheese!” Annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

June 24-25, 2025
Annual conference of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) in Kansas City, Missouri.

On communicating

We close this issue of ACDC News with some Scottish folk wisdom for communicating:

“Give your tongue more holidays than your head.”

A friendly reminder:

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 welcomed to follow us on Twitter @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

January News and Research from the ACDC– Issue 25-01

Posted on by Yanling Liu

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this issue

Community radio: Important for addressing climate change

We are adding to the ACDC collection a 2021 research report about this timely subject. Authors analyzed how community radio can create opportunities for geographically spread-out audiences to engage in local debate. Their reflections in the Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship drew upon the use of community radio during the Gros Morne Climate Change Symposium. It brought together researchers, practitioners, and community members to discuss coastal climate change adaptation in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

They concluded that “community radio can strengthen place-based identities by creating a distinct forum for engagement and is therefore an important tool for climate change knowledge transfer.”

You can read “Engaging diverse audiences: The role of community radio in rural climate change knowledge translation” by open access.

When local newspapers close in outback Australia

A two-month focused ethnography unearthed an array of social, political, and civic impacts when The Ridge News was shut down in Lightning Ridge, a remote town in outback New South Wales. Researchers Marco Magasic, Kristy Hess, and Julie Freeman reported their findings in a 2023 issue of Media and Communication. Following are some of the local impacts identified as news gaps:

  • Loss of voice to lobby for political power
  • Damaged relationship between council and citizens
  • Sense of isolation and loss of social connection
  • Lower attendance at sporting events and funerals
  • Drop in volunteer numbers
  • Decline in civic discussion and participation

Authors identified some follow-up attempts (yielding limited success) to address such impacts and offered suggestions for policy makers and others. You can read “Examining the social, civic, and political impact of local newspaper closure in outback Australia” by open access.

2024 scorecard on high-quality
broadband in rural America

A January 2025 news release from NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association indicated that members “continued to make remarkable strides in delivering on the promise of robust and reliable high-speed connectivity in the most rural parts of the United States.”

“Despite operating in rural areas where the average density is less than seven locations per mile, approximately 89% of respondents’ customers on average can receive download speeds greater than or equal to 100 mbps, up from 84% in 2023. Over 76% of customers on average have access to Gigabit downstream speeds, an increase from 67% in 2023.”

You can read other details in “Rural Broadband Association releases its annual scorecard on delivering high speed to rural areas” by open access.

An umbrella review of food safety
in the minds of consumers and vendors

A 2024 article in the Food Control journal offered an overview of complex interactions across knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) involving food safety.

“Contaminated food is linked to more than 200 different diseases, and remains a leading cause of death and morbidity, particularly among infants, young children, and the elderly,” authors reported in the introduction. Their comprehensive online review incorporated 20 review studies, covering 839 primary articles on food safety KAP across diverse contexts and regions. Vendors in this study involved restaurants, street food, supermarkets, food establishments, and markets.

Findings showed that consumers are generally more knowledgeable and better adherent to food safety guidelines, driven by personal health motivations. However, “vendors often exhibit inconsistent practices due to limited education and resources.”

“Understanding food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices of consumers and vendors: An umbrella review” is not available in full text by open access. However, if you are interested in reading it please invite our help at acdc@library.illinois.edu

Helping young people access health information

Recent research reported in the Australian Journal of Rural Health explored youth health issues in regional, rural, and remote areas of Australia. Researchers noted that young people facing issues such as substance abuse, bullying, and relationships are not likely to read health information in printed form. Also, youth engagement with health issues is primarily through social groups rather than health practitioners or formal sources.

This article described a participatory approach. It involved gaining insight about health perceptions of youth and using applied theatre methods and technology to help them address the issues they face. Researchers concluded that “we need to reconsider how information is provided for young people.”

You can read “No Drama: Using applied theatre to explore youth health issues in regional Central Queensland” by open access.

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.

April 9-11, 2025
“NAMA Palooza” Conference of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) in Kansas City, Missouri.

April 14-17, 2025
“From the highlands to the islands: Bridging community learning and development through extension” Conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education (AIAEE) in Inverness, Scotland.

April 29-May 1, 2025
Annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) in Charleston, South Carolina.

June 16-18, 2025
“Say cheese!” Annual conference of the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

June 24-25, 2025
Annual conference of the Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) in Kansas City, Missouri.

On giving and receiving

We close this issue of ACDC News with a post-holiday Danish proverb:

“He who gives to me
teaches me to give”

A friendly reminder:

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 welcomed to follow us on Twitter @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