HOT SPRINGS
For the second consecutive year, The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation has recognized The Tidewater News for being the state’s best in the non-daily newspaper category for excellence in covering the agriculture industry. This year, The Tidewater News shares the award as co-winner with the Rappahannock Record in Kilmarnock. The Record was also recognized this year with the VFBF’s top journalism prize, the Ishee-Quann Award for Media Excellence, as the top newspaper in the state for agriculture coverage.

The organization’s top award for comprehensive coverage of agriculture was presented Dec. 2 during the 2014 VFBF Annual Convention in Hot Springs.

“We are amazed at the talent and dedication of our award winners,” said VFBF President Wayne F. Pryor. “It’s reassuring to know that there are still reporters and editors who understand the importance of our $70 billion industry and report it on a regular basis. And this year’s winners represent virtually every region of the state—from the sandy soils of grain country to the rolling hills and valleys of livestock country and all points in between.”

Stephen Cowles of the co-winning The Tidewater News covered a variety of agriculture-related topics, from U.S. Department of Agriculture grants to a local Christmas tree farm. He wrote about a growers’ auction, cotton production and the Census of Agriculture findings. In addition, the newspaper included an “Extension Notebook” column and provided coverage of the Franklin/Southampton County Farmers Market.

“The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s latest recognition of The Tidewater News for its coverage of agricultural issues in Western Tidewater this past year is validating,” said Cowles, staff writer. “The award tells us that the paper is continuing to serve its readers well in this area.”

Although he got to receive the award, Cowles said he wanted to emphasize that the honor is not his alone. His coworkers — Managing Editor Cain Madden, Retta Lomax, Ryan Outlaw and Publisher Tony Clark— have also made significant individual contributions in story ideas, development, photography and page design, all necessary elements to reporting on agriculture.

“The recognition also encourages us to expand the reporting of issues that are important to so many people in the region.”

The judges also commended the paper on its regularly published agribusiness page.

“The variety shows their dedication to covering agriculture in their region,” the judges noted. “And the mix of topics appeals to both farmers and non-farmers alike.”

Tony Clark, publisher of The Tidewater News, stated, “I’m proud of Stephen and our entire staff for the work they’ve done to highlight the significant role that agriculture plays in our local and regional economy. To be recognized by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation again for that work is truly special to us.”

In addition, three other non-daily newspapers, a Shenandoah Valley television station and The Roanoke Times claimed top honors in the 27-year-old competition. Like the Record, four of them were repeat winners. Joining the Rappahannock Record’s news staff as a co-winner in the non-daily category was The Tidewater News, which also claimed the award in 2013.

The Members’ Choice Award, which honors media nominated by Farm Bureau members, was given to two non-dailies, The Westmoreland News and The Gazette-Virginian in South Boston. It was The Gazette-Virginian’s third consecutive award. Winners in this category are selected using the same judging criteria as in other categories.

Harrisonburg’s ABC affiliate, WHSV TV 3, captured the television category for the fourth consecutive year. The Roanoke Times captured the daily newspaper category for a third year.

Honorable mention went to Cathy Dyson of The Free Lance-Star in Fredericksburg and the news team at the Culpeper Times.