Hi, I’m Allen Warren. I’m pleased to introduce myself as the Western Producer’s University of Regina school of journalism intern.
In some respects, there’s no better – and no worse – time for me to be at the Western Producer.
It’s a good time in that, as a student training for a career in journalism, I’m witness to the possible revival of agricultural journalism in Canada.
With all of agriculture’s issues, the perpetual birth of new ones and the extent to which these concerns penetrate the lives of all Canadians, media in Canada should recognize the importance of agricultural journalism to this country.
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There has, of course, been a bit of a revival. Unfortunately, this revival has been inspired by a negative turn of events – the bovine spongiform encephalopathy crisis, further trade sanctions, more hot, dry weather and insects.
It’s a shame that agriculture only makes it into the mainstream national news when things are bad.
I wanted to work at the Producer because of my aspiration to see a more steady and balanced approach to agricultural coverage across the country.
I was seeking an immersion in one broad subject rather than writing and reporting about a smattering of different ones.
I also wanted to learn about the agriculture industry, so the Western Producer is a perfect fit for me.
I hope to learn what I’m supposed to learn on an internship – writing, reporting, photography and production – and as a not-so-incidental side benefit, I intend to learn about agriculture.
“Learn.” I should add that not everything is brand new.
I was born and raised in Saskatchewan so it’s not as though farming is a big mystery to me. But I was born and raised in south Regina. Sadly, the ins and outs of farm life are as familiar to me as life in the Bronx, but I like to think I know how it all works.
And, while the education I’m receiving at the Western Producer probably won’t teach me about getting up at 5 a.m. to birth ruminants, I hope it will provide me with a great understanding of how the livelihood and industry work.
That’s something I can take with me and use, out in the wider world of journalism, to provide fair, accurate and smart coverage of the issues that affect the agricultural industry in this country.
