Greg says the mix of U.S. and international visitors has worked out great and the event is a success. Many of our international guests commented that the “cowboy spirit” they’ve experienced is just what they hoped it would be. Greg says he’s caught that spirit too. Sounds like a lot of hats and boots are going home from this conference.

So listen to my chat with Greg to hear his thoughts on the conference. Just click on the audio player below.

Mike reported on the further development of the IFAJ website and plans for future congresses that may include the first ever congress in South America. “We’re trying to go to as many different countries as possible,” Mike said. IFAJ is adding two new countries this year – Slovenia and Kenya.

He also talked about a history of IFAJ which is being compiled. During an interview with me, Mike related how in the ’60s the United States first became involved with the group, which originally started in Europe over 50 years ago. “It was called the International Union of Agricultural Journalists and when the Americans were approached and they said we will join but we really have a problem with the word ‘union’ so they changed it to ‘federation’ and the Americans became a part of it.”

He also talked about hiring the first IFAJ part time executive secretary Connie Siemes from Holland and what that has done to help free up the officers to do less paperwork and more member work.

IFAJ/AMS 2009 Photo Album

Listen to an interview with Mike here:

The crowd had lots of questions for the two after their debate over ag and international trade policy, as did several reporters after the fact. It was interesting to hear the international journalists ask questions about climate change policy and animal rights activism. Our own Joanna Schroeder and Kansas Ag Network reporter Greg Akagi also interviewed them both.

IFAJ/AMS 2009 Photo Album

Listen or download to a mix of reporter interviews with Charlie Stenholm here – international questions followed by Greg and Joanna’s interview:

I’m hoping that our IFAJ attendees will find some great professional improvement opportunities at the Ag Media Summit and stay if they can. To learn more about the program for the AMS I interviewed Joann Alumbaugh, program co-chair during a planning meeting we held in Ft. Worth at the hotel we’ll be staying in. She says they’ve put even more emphasis on the program this year due to IFAJ members who will be attending.

To start things out we’re going to have a debate between former Congressman from Texas, Charlie Stenholm and Barry Flinchbaugh, Professor Emeritus, Kansas State University. That should be not only an entertaining but thought provoking session. We’ve got sessions over several days on a variety of topics from photography to writing and you can find the schedule here on the website.

You can listen to me talk with Joann about the program here:

I’m a little behind on getting some items posted but hope to have some more new information on by the end of the week.

You can listen to me talk with Greg this morning via Skype here:

You can find the latest schedule using the right sidebar link and also a detailed agenda for our post-Congress tours. We’re hoping to have registration information available very soon.