A Homecoming tradition: Bringing together the past, present, and future of AGCM
For the past two years (and many years before) Agricultural Communications (AGCM) alumni and current students have gotten together to celebrate homecoming and the industry. It’s called the AGCM Homecoming Huddle, originally starting in the 1970s under Dr. Jim Evans.
This year’s celebration included a panel, dinner, and remarks from students, faculty, and guests. We were also able to showcase this year’s visiting Global Agricultural Journalist, Kallee Buchanan, from Australia.
The panel took place before the dinner with about 40 guests present. The panel was composed of Lindsay Croke, Communications & Marketing Director at the Illinois Corn Growers Association, Frank Morris, National Correspondent for the National Public Radio, and Kallee Buchanan, Senior Rural Reporter at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
They discussed “how communications can help bridge the rural-urban divide.” Guests listened to their perspectives on the industry and how different places are handling similar situations. Kallee offered Australia’s perspective, Lindsay shared about Illinois, specifically within the commodity groups, and Frank spoke about national broadcasting.
At the end of the panel, guests asked their own questions and got answers to their most pressing questions. Immediately following the panel, everyone moved into the ACES Library Heritage room for dinner and the reception.
Seven current ACES students were present and mingled with the alumni and friends of the program during dinner. Dinner was provided by the Illinois Beef Association and was composed of steak, salad, mixed vegetables, and potatoes.
After dinner, the real fun began with guest speakers. Up first was Ava Splear, Illini Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow president. Ava talked about the Agricultural Communications program and all the fun things they are up to. One of the classes she highlighted was AGCM 380.
“Another opportunity that continues to be available for students is creating The Morrow, -- the third edition this year -- with the theme: ‘Sweet Home Illinois,’” she stated. “This project continues to be an excellent way for students to get hands-on experience in journalism, writing, interviewing, designing and collaborating with a group to meet a shared goal.”
Dr. Owen Roberts, Director of Agricultural Communications at U. of I. and Doyle Karr, Agricultural Communications alumni and owner of DOYLExt, spoke about the newest addition to the program, The James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications.
“The idea of the center has been well received -- by the media, by potential partners, and by potential participants,” Dr. Roberts exclaimed. “It’s been buoyed by the underlying idea of bridging the rural-urban divide, feeders and eaters, or whatever you call people who KNOW about agriculture and food, and those who WANT AND NEED to know.”
The reception wrapped up with Kallee Buchanan, the 2024 Visiting Global Agricultural Journalist speaking about her time in Illinois. Kallee thanked the faculty, students, and all the others she met during her week for their hospitality. She also highlighted her favorite parts of the trip which included meeting with students and Illinois pumpkin cheesecake.
The 2024 Homecoming Huddle was a success. As I reflect on the events and stories shared, I am excited for what the future of agriculture communions can bring around the globe and here at the University of Illinois.
This was my last time attending the AGCM Homecoming Huddle as a student, making the end bittersweet. I can’t wait to see who will be among the esteemed alumni invited to attend in future years.