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A new agricultural journalism charity will support and develop the profession around the world, underlining its importance and relevance in agricultural development and education.

Regulators at the UK’s Charity Commission signed off the application for the Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism (GFAJ) on 17 October, the end of an eight-year effort by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists to create and launch the new organisation.

“The Global Federation for Agricultural Journalism is nothing less than IFAJ 2.0 – a bigger, better, brighter version,” says Agro Mavens founder Adrian Bell, who has led the project to establish GFAJ in his role as IFAJ Treasurer, a volunteer post to which he was first elected in 2015.

“GFAJ allows us to build on IFAJ’s success more effectively than ever before: creating new dialogues with new partners, opening the door to new sources of funding from sponsors and donors, and above all focusing more intently on providing professional improvement that enhances the impact of agricultural journalists and communicators throughout the world.”

Knowledge is a farmer’s most precious portable resource, Adrian says. “Equip a farmer with accurate and timely information and you can change the way they farm, help them protect the environment, feed and clothe more people, and build their community.

“That applies anywhere in the world. Knowledge – conveyed through agricultural journalism and communication – is vital for lifting a smallholder farmer out of poverty, just as it is for improving the sustainability of a modern, technology-driven dairy or grain operation.

“And it’s essential, now more than ever, that farmers are equipped with the knowledge they need to adapt to climate change, and make agriculture part of the solution.”

The Global Foundation for Agricultural Journalism will extend learning and networking opportunities to thousands of journalists and communicators around the world, explains Adrian.

“Agricultural journalists never stop learning, whether keeping up on new technologies and novel products in farming, or new approaches to disseminating and mobilising information to their audiences.

“The skills of agricultural journalists can advance farming.”

Following approval, Adrian is working to establish a board of 11 trustees who will be tasked with developing GFAJ’s programmes and fundraising activities.

“The intention is to build a board the features agricultural journalists and communicators alongside outside voices, such as non-agricultural journalists, politicians, specialists in education and agricultural development, or fundraising experts.

“This will give GFAJ a diverse and authoritative board that can drive the charity with passion, integrity and purpose.”

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