Just over a year ago, a dark cloud appeared in the skies over Biggar, Sask., and touched down on the Kushner farm north of town. Western Producer photographer Michael Raine interviewed Michelle and Bruce Kushner as they surveyed the wreckage of granaries, corrals and a machinery shed.
The photo, which last week was named photograph of the year by the American Agricultural Editors Association, shows the couple looking somber yet relieved that family and stock were spared. Raine had once again captured the emotion of a situation through creative use of skills and camera.
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The AAEA awards were presented in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 28 and besides accolades for the above-noted photo, Raine was named photographer of the year for the second time in recent years. He swept first, second and third placings in the pictorial category, won a first and third place in the portrait/personality category, took first place in the feature category and copped two honourable mentions.
Such was the hardware amassed that one American editor made a quip about an embargo on hardwood lumber exports to Canada in the form of wooden plaques with brass attached.
In other photo awards, Mary MacArthur of the WP Camrose bureau
news won third place in the feature photo category. We plan to show you some of the award-winning photos in next week’s issue.
What of WP writers? Glad you asked.
Saskatoon reporter Adrian Ewins won second place in the personality profile category, for a story on former Canadian Wheat Board CEO Greg Arason. Farm management editor D’Arce McMillan won third in the column category for one instalment of his weekly Market Watch. Website editor Paul Yanko nabbed a merit award for the quality of www.producer.com.
Various WP staffers have been members of the AAEA for years. The organization of writers, editors and photographers offers networking opportunities, professional development and workshops for members in the agricultural media.
Most members are from the United States, as the name implies, but Raine and other staffers ensure the Canadian members at the Producer are a noted presence.
Forgive us for tooting our own horn, but we thought you’d like to know that the paper you read is also recognized by others for its quality content.
Tune in next week for the confounding tale of a Canadian managing editor confronted with an American steak while trying to be polite at a Cleveland awards banquet.
