ACN and LPC Honor Top Ag Media Professionals at AMS 2026

Industry leaders honored for excellence at AMS 2026 awards

• Bonnie Johnson
• July 23, 2026
• Media Article

Agricultural media leaders and communicators were honored at the 2026 Ag Media Summit in St. Louis, where ACN and LPC recognized excellence in journalism, communications, and industry service.

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Agricultural communication professionals gathered at the 27th annual Ag Media Summit (AMS) in St. Louis to recognize outstanding achievements in agricultural journalism and communications. During the annual awards luncheon, the Ag Communicators Network (ACN) and Livestock Publications Council (LPC) honored individuals for their leadership, service, and contributions to the industry.
 

ACN presented its 2026 Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Albert Culbreath of the University of Georgia. Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to Den Gardner of Gardner & Gardner Communications and Pamela Smith of DTN/The Progressive Farmer for their long-standing contributions to agricultural communications.
 

Andrew Castillo of Farm Progress received the Andy Markwart Horizon Award. ACN also welcomed six new Fellows: Pam Caraway, Chris Clayton, Jamie Cole, Martha Mintz, Holly Spangler, and Bill Spiegel.
 

Among LPC award recipients, Mark Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch earned The Headliner Award. J. Scott Vernon, professor emeritus at Cal Poly State University, was inducted into the LPC Hall of Fame.
 

Carey Brown of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association received the Ed Bible Distinguished Service Award, while Rachel Waggie of the Kansas Livestock Association was honored with the Workhorse Award. Both were recognized for their commitment to advancing livestock communications.
 

The organizations also announced winners from their 2026 communications competitions. For ACN, Julianna Langemeier was named Communicator of the Year, Matt Strelecki Designer of the Year, Betty Haynes Photographer of the Year, and Lisa Foust Prater Writer of the Year.
 

For LPC, The Drive received the James Flanagan Most Improved Publication Award. Ryann Kats was named Designer of the Year, Betty Haynes Photographer of the Year, Stacy Young Videographer of the Year, and Jennifer Shike Writer of the Year.
 

The Ag Media Summit is jointly hosted by ACN and LPC and serves as a premier event for agricultural media professionals. The next summit will take place July 25-28, 2027, in Omaha, Nebraska.
 

Find more information about AMS at www.agmediasummit.com.
 

Photo Credit: agriculture-media-summit