The Ohio's 2017 AgriNaturalist was named the top magazine produced by students by the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association (NAADA) at the 2018 national conference.

The AgriNaturalist is an annual magazine produced by students in the agricultural communication major as a capstone project. It is also the longest-running agricultural student publication in the United States, with the 2017 issue being the 123rd edition.

"Our students pour such effort to create the AgriNaturalist each year," says Dr. Tracy Kitchel, professor and chair of ACEL. "This recognition from the NAADA organization confirms that our agricultural communication major prepares its students with skills to be successful in their future careers of writing, designing and sales and the critical thinking skills required to put those pieces together toward the outcome of a product like a full-fledged magazine."

Each spring semester, this magazine is completely produced by students — from advertisement sales, photography, graphic design, writing and editing. It covers topics in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, CFAES, Ohio State University and the agriculture industry.

"I was honored to serve as the editor of the AgriNaturalist and count it as one of the highlights of my collegiate career," says Megan Besanson, editor of the 2017 AgriNaturalist and current marketing specialist for Certified Angus Beef LLC. "This project was a culmination of everything we'd learned in our coursework, and it gave our entire team an inside look at how to run a business and produce an outstanding magazine. This edition holds a special place in my portfolio."

NAADA is a professional organization that provides education, support and recognition for professionals and volunteers dedicated to expanding resources for advancing agriculture and related disciplines.

As part of NAADA's conference each year, it hosts the annual Publication and Project Competition for member schools to submit print, multimedia, campaign, events and society programming for consideration. The print media category is evaluated based on concept, writing, design, photos and graphics, print quality, and budget.

Students, now Ohio State alumni, who served on the staff of the 2017 AgriNaturalist include: Megan Besancon, editor; Mary Siekman, associate editor; Miranda Miser, sales manager; Elizabeth Overholt, associate sales manager; Lauren Corry, design editor; Shelby Bradford, associate design editor; Emily Henes, design staff; Mallorie Wippel, web editor; and writers Hope Bondurant, Mindi Brookhart, Amanda Bush, Tyler Crowe, James Fairchild, Sarah Johnson, Chloe Moreland, Taylor Pugh, Rachel Romonosky, Leah Schwinn, Jarred Shellhouse, Katherine Shoup, Seth Zavodny.

Dr. Emily Buck and Dr. Annie Specht were advisers for the publication and Desiree Seeloff served as a graduate adviser.

View the 2017 AgriNaturalist online or request a hard copy by emailing [email protected].

Source: Ohio State University