IFAJ Contests Recognize the World’s Best Ag Journalism
Reflecting the many ways agricultural journalists and communicators reach their audiences around the globe, IFAJ’s contests celebrate excellence in print, photography, audio, video and online media.
Members of IFAJ guilds in good standing are invited to submit their work for the Star Prize, with a limit of two entries per person. Additionally, country guilds may submit one award-winning entry in a separate category.
All forms of journalism will be judged based on how well they deliver the story within the following themes, as well as the respective format.
Judging Themes – Criteria: Storytelling & Impact
All submissions will be judged based on how effectively they tell a story within one of the following themes:
Innovation
Reporting that explores the ‘how’ of creative applications or novel approaches in the agri-food sector. This category focuses on innovation alone – it’s not limited to technology.
Sustainability
The works presented must have as their theme sustainability within the agri-food sector, from an economic, social and/or environmental point of view.
Technology
In contrast to Innovation, this category focuses on the ‘what’. Stories of technological advancements in agriculture, including production, industrialisation, trade, and marketing. This category emphasises tools that enhance efficiency, sustainability, or productivity.
Trade, economics or global issues
If your work relates economic, financial or business aspects linked to the production or sale of agri-food in the world, this is your category.
Rural Culture
Stories showcasing regional traditions, customs, and lifestyles related to food and agriculture.
Journalism Awards Categories
In addition to the thematic judging, awards will be given for excellence in each journalism format:
- Best Photo
- Best Print Article
- Best Video Broadcast
- Best Audio Broadcast
- Best Digital Media Production
SUPREME Guild Award
A special category for works that won a national guild’s award in 2025.
We invite guilds to submit entries that have won a domestic award. This category recognises outstanding work that has already received top honours in a national guild’s award program held between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
IFAJ Star Prize Journalist of the Year
One outstanding journalist will be named IFAJ Star Prize Journalist of the Year—the program’s highest honour.
How to Enter
For contest rules and links to past winning entries, click the button for the relevant category.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 15, 2026
No late entries will be accepted.
Submit your Star Prize entry in the categories below.
A Commitment to Excellence
IFAJ’s award program reflects our dedication to professional development. By participating and reviewing entries, our members gain global insights and inspiration from some of the industry’s finest work.
We are grateful to our sponsors, jury, and participants for making this program possible.
Sponsored by:
