WFBF Takes Home National Titles

The American Farm Bureau Federation recently honored top communications professionals from state Farm Bureau organizations for their outstanding work in communications. Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation took home some top titles for its communications work.

Graphic designer Marian Viney got a top recognition for best newsletter. WFBF Public Relations Executive Director Amy Eckelberg scored a top spot for best promotional video. Former Communications Director Sarah Hetke won a top spot in the national competition for best editorial.

And the WFBF communications team — Eckelberg, Lynn Siekmann, Cassie Sonnentag, Hetke and Wendy Kannel — were recognized for their top public relations campaign.

The awards contest was not held in 2020 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s contest featured 198 submissions for work produced in 2019 and 2020, with separate awards in each category for work primarily related to COVID and projects focused on other subjects.

“Our state communicators are vital to advancing Farm Bureau’s policies and priorities, both nationally and at the state level,” says AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “They also play a key role in satisfying customers’ hunger for information about how America’s farmers and ranchers produce their food while protecting our water, air and soil.”

The power of the Farm Bureau network shined through during the pandemic in the #StillFarming campaign, as states helped generate more than 110 million views and more than half a million engagements on social media.

Awards were presented to Farm Bureau communicators in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.