It was a big night for Western Producer staff Aug. 7 at the American Agricultural Editors’ Association conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
William DeKay was named photographer of the year for the third year in a row, and also won the prize for photo of the year along with 12 other awards.
DeKay joined the WP four years ago. Educated in Canada, he has worked for the Detroit Free Press and National Geographic and has twice been short-listed for a Pulitzer Prize.
Art director Michelle Houlden took two firsts and a second in the design categories.
Barb Glen, livestock editor, and markets editor D’Arce McMillan — both members of the WP’s editorial board — took first and second respectively in the editorial opinion category.
Glen has been with the company for 18 years and is the former editor of The Western Producer. McMillan has worked at the Moose Jaw Times Herald and the Regina Leader-Post, and joined the WP 16 years ago.
The AAEA presents awards for the best in agricultural writing, photography, design, new media and communications every year at its annual conference. The AAEA was founded in 1921.
The Western Producer was the only Canadian agricultural publication to win awards at this year’s AAEA conference.
Michael Raine, managing editor, has attended numerous AAEA awards events and said this was one of the most competitive contests he had ever experienced.
“Competing in an open North American market and overcoming the challenges naturally posed by regional understanding, The Western Producer did not fail to impress the judges and AAEA members,” said Raine from Albuquerque.
Editor Joanne Paulson was delighted but not surprised by the number of awards taken by the WP staff, and noted that the paper is considered a premier publication in Canada, the United States and even further afield.
“Every day, as editor, I experience and appreciate the excellence of the WP staff. It is wonderful when their work is recognized by their wider peer group,” said Paulson.
Photo of the Year
William DeKay
Photographer of the Year
William DeKay
Portrait/Personality
1st – William DeKay
Hon. Mention – William DeKay
Pictorial
2nd – William DeKay
3rd – William DeKay
Feature
1st – William DeKay
2nd – William DeKay
Hon. Mention – William DeKay
Nuts and Bolts – Crops
1st – William DeKay, The Western Producer
3rd – William DeKay, The Western Producer
Photo story/Photo sequence or Photo Essay
1st – William DeKay
2nd – William DeKay
Editorial Opinion
1st – Barb Glen, “Meatless Monday initiative won’t affect global warming”
2nd – D’Arce McMillan, “Time to end biofuel subsidy and let sector go on its own”
Opening Page or Spread Design
1st – Michelle Houlden, Special Report by Sean Pratt
2nd – Michelle Houlden, Production section front by Robert Arnason “Ash.”
Two-Plus Page Design
1st – Michelle Houlden, Harvest photo feature
