Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
Nairobi, Kenya – Nukanah Kollie, a journalist with the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), has been honored with the prestigious IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism Award during the 2025 program held in Nairobi, Kenya. The program, organized by the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) in partnership with Alltech, brings together emerging agricultural communicators from around the world to build leadership, skills, and global networks.
The 2025 edition of the program welcomed ten young journalists from ten countries, including Liberia, Australia, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Germany. Participants engaged in intensive workshops, farm visits, and mentorship sessions focused on innovation, climate-smart agriculture, and effective communication strategies to amplify farmers’ voices on the global stage.
Speaking during the program, Steve Werblow, Global President of IFAJ, highlighted the significance of the initiative, which marks its 20th anniversary this year. “The IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Program has trained and inspired young journalists who have gone on to lead their guilds, chair committees, and organize global congresses. It is not just about skill-building—it is about giving back and strengthening agricultural journalism globally,” Werblow said.
Kollie’s participation reflects Liberia’s growing role in agricultural communication. Werblow praised LAEJN as “an essential voice in grassroots agricultural communication and rural empowerment,” noting that young journalists like Kollie are shaping the future of the sector.
Fellow participants described the program as transformative. Victoria Ellis from Australia called it “eye-opening and inspiring,” emphasizing the value of sharing perspectives and learning from leading voices in agriculture. Ben Engle from the United Kingdom echoed the sentiment, stressing the shared mission to tell farming stories that inform, inspire, and empower communities worldwide.
The IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders program has served as a launchpad for emerging journalists since 2005, blending mentorship, training, and networking to nurture leaders in agricultural storytelling. The ten young leaders from this year’s program will now participate in the 2025 IFAJ World Congress from October 15–18, joining hundreds of journalists and experts to explore the future of global agriculture and communication.
Journalist Kollie expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) for nominating him to participate in the prestigious IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders Program. He described the nomination as a significant milestone in his career, providing him with a unique platform to enhance his skills, gain international exposure, and connect with fellow young agricultural communicators from around the world.
“This opportunity would not have been possible without LAEJN’s support and belief in my potential,” Kollie said. “I am grateful for the trust they placed in me, and I hope to use the knowledge and experiences gained during this program to strengthen agricultural journalism in Liberia and amplify the voices of our farmers on global platforms.”
He added that the program has inspired him to mentor other emerging journalists in Liberia, sharing lessons learned and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in agricultural reporting.
