Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
NAIROBI, KENYA — In a proud moment for Liberia’s media and agricultural communication community, Nukanah Kollie, Bong County Coordinator and member of the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN), is representing the country and the West African region at the 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Boot Camp and International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) World Congress in Nairobi, Kenya.
Before departing for Kenya, Kollie expressed appreciation to the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network leadership for its continued support and mentorship of young communicators in Liberia.
“I’m deeply grateful to the Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) and its management team for their unwavering support and belief in young voices like mine,” he said. “This milestone would not have been possible without their encouragement and guidance.”
Journalist Kollie emphasized that being selected among the 2025 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders is not just a personal honor, but rather it reflects the meaningful work journalists are doing through LAEJN. “Together, we’re building a stronger voice for agricultural communication in Liberia.” Established in 2005, the IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Program is one of the world’s premier platforms for training young agricultural journalists. Each year, ten exceptional communicators under age 35 are selected through a competitive nomination process facilitated by IFAJ member guilds.
The 2025 cohort includes; Aizhan Rymbayeva (Kazakhstan/Türkiye), Ben Eagle (United Kingdom), Chelsea Dinterman (USA), Johanna Fry (Germany), Juliet Akoth (Kenya), Keira Miller (Canada), Luíza Cardoso (Brazil), Nukanah Kollie (Liberia), Rodrigo Bonazzola (Argentina), and Victoria Ellis (Australia).
The group is undergoing three days of intensive leadership and multimedia training from October 13–15, focusing on storytelling, communication, and agricultural policy reporting. They will then join hundreds of global delegates for the IFAJ World Congress (October 15–18), hosted by Media for Environment, Science, Health, and Agriculture (MESHA) in Nairobi.
The 2025 IFAJ World Congress marks a historic first for East Africa, held under the theme:
“Feeding the Future: Innovations and Sustainability in African Agriculture.”
Delegates will explore Kenya’s vibrant agricultural landscape through plenary sessions, field excursions, and innovation showcases. Site visits include Andermatt Kenya (regenerative agriculture), KTDA tea factories, Nai’posha Dairy Farm, and CropLife Kenya’s sustainability initiatives.
Discussions will center on climate-smart agriculture, youth and women’s empowerment, value chains, food security, and the role of media in promoting innovation and sustainability.
For Kollie, the selection represents more than personal achievement—it highlights Liberia’s growing presence in global agricultural communication. His participation underscores LAEJN’s commitment to empowering journalists across Liberia’s fifteen counties and strengthening their link to international professional platforms.
“To my fellow members of LAEJN, let’s keep pushing forward with dedication and purpose,” Kollie said. “The future of agricultural journalism in Liberia is promising, and opportunities will continue to open for those committed to telling stories that transform our communities.”
The IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Boot Camp is supported by Alltech, a global leader in animal nutrition and agricultural innovation. The program provides full sponsorship for registration, accommodation, and meals, offering young journalists a unique opportunity to learn, network, and collaborate on global agricultural reporting.
Its goal is to build leadership skills, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and strengthen storytelling excellence—equipping participants to champion agricultural communication in their home countries.
Upon his return, Kollie is expected to share his experiences, mentor other young journalists, and apply lessons learned to advance agricultural and environmental reporting in Liberia.
