Developing your career in agricultural communications
Where will your career take you next? This ECFWA webinar is open to all who want to explore the opportunities awaiting them in agricultural communications, and the networking and mentorship opportunities available through organizations like Eastern Canada Farm Writers' Association and the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation.
Join ECFWA to hear from our three Lifetime Members: Jim Romahn, Owen Roberts and Jane Robinson.
With a combined 130+ years of experience in agricultural journalism and communications, these three industry veterans will share how their careers have evolved, the importance of networking and mentorship, and their advice for new and developing professionals looking to grow in their careers.
The session will wrap-up with an introduction to the new Mentorship Program launched by the Canadian Farm Writers' Federation.
Our panelists: Jim Romahn has been reporting about agriculture since 1963. His first article, written as a student, was for the Farmer's Advocate of London and about a hay lift to drought-stricken farmers in the Ottawa Valley. He has worked for the Waterloo Region Record, as a science writer, head of the media division at Agriculture Canada and speech writer for the former and late agriculture minister Eugene Whelan. He has won more than 100 awards, including two Michener Governor-General wins for public service in journalism. He has worked for Ontario Farmer for more than 35 years as a freelancer and staffer. He is married to Barbara, they have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Owen Roberts is an agricultural communications instructor and faculty member at the University of Illinois. He is past-president of the 5,000-member International Federation of Agricultural Journalists, which represents journalists in 55 countries, and a senator in the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation. For more than 30 years, Owen was the research communications director at the University of Guelph.
Jane Robinson communicates about all aspects of the agri-food sector as a writer, editor and communications professional. Much of her career has been spent with agricultural marketing companies creating communication materials for clients in crop protection, animal health, technology and innovation, equipment, commodity organizations, finance, food and more. In 2020, she made the shift to her own communications business – Write for Work – where she provides the full spectrum of communications expertise from strategic planning through to project execution for agri-food clients. After more than 35 years in the business, her passion continues to be developing effective and impactful communications that are relevant and meaningful for target audiences.