Almost exactly 40 years ago, on Oct. 30, 1955, nine Western Canadian farm writers gathered in Saskatoon to form a new organization.
The members were full-time news people from newspapers, radio and television. Their objective was to improve professional standards and provide opportunity for members to meet and exchange ideas.
That organization grew to be the Canadian Farm Writers Federation.
No longer is it limited to working journalists: governments, commodity groups, marketing boards and agencies. Farm organizations and fertilizer companies now also play a part. The organization has drawn together under the more loose definition of agricultural communicators.
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This past weekend about 80 members gathered in Ottawa for the annual conference. It reflected that although CFWF’s membership has changed, its goals remain the same: It is a networking organization.
There were workshops to develop professional standards, such as how to use the Access to Information Act; an awards program offered prizes but also individual feedback from judges to increase writing ability; and peers were recognized for their hard work and dedication to agricultural communication.
Western Producer special reports editor Barry Wilson won the Frank Jacobs Award (silver) for a column on the Crow debate, and editor Garry Fairbairn won the bronze award in the same category for a column on the Canadian Wheat Board. More details will be offered next week.
Being in Ottawa meant a good dose of politics at the meeting, including a visit to Question Period in Parliament.
Is objectivity affected later when journalists need to deal with fellow CFWF members as sources?
The organization allows reporters and non-journalists to gain respect for each other’s professions and ethical guidelines. Ultimately the goal is the same: to provide agricultural information to the public.
