AgTech Innovation News

FARGO, N. D. November 20, 2024 – Seeing a need in the agriculture media community, three women at varying ages and stages in their careers have teamed up to form the non-profit Association of Females in Agriculture Media (A-FAM). With its official launch on December 1, A-FAM seeks to provide networking, professional development, mentoring, and personal support for women in all realms of ag media, including broadcast, print, digital, podcasting, sales, and industry relations.

“Over the past few years, I’ve had a lot of women approach me and express the need for sessions that focus on us and what we go through with our careers and lives in general,” said founding trustee Sabrina Halvorson. “Nothing against men, but as much as they may want to, they often don’t truly understand the different things women go through in our careers and our lives.”

Halvorson joined with Corryn LaRue and Aria Wilcox, and together the three created A-FAM.

“I’m simply thrilled to be doing this with Corryn and Aria. We’re all in different stages in our careers and we each have different job types, two factors that I think add a lot of depth to the organization,” Halvorson said, “and they’re just amazing women.”

She points out that no one will be turned away from membership, even men, but that the first priority is always that A-FAM remains a safe space for women to have meaningful conversations without worrying about repercussions.

The organization already has monthly virtual sessions planned through April of 2025, with speakers on topics such as diversity at the ag table, building a trusting relationship with your audience, utilizing the latest tools of the trade, and building your personal brand.

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Sabrina Halvorson is the most senior of the group. A 34-year media veteran at 49-years of age, she has won a number of awards throughout her career. Most recently, she was awarded the 2024 Farm Broadcaster of the Year award by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting and was named to the World Agriculture Forum Council, based in the Netherlands. She is the National Correspondent for AgNet Media, the host of the daily ag radio talk show The AgNet News Hour, and farm broadcaster for four networks including AgNet West, Southeast AgNet, Hoosier Ag Today, and Michigan Ag Today. She is also a magazine writer, published book author, and public speaker.

Corryn LaRue currently serves as a farm broadcaster and content specialist with the American Ag Network, delivering reports across various platforms. She has also served as the Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief for RFD-TV, where she covered agricultural policy from the White House and Capitol Hill. Additionally, LaRue has experience with Agri-Pulse Communications, where she interned in Washington, D.C., and has contributed to other ag media sources. Corryn was the 2023 NAFB Horizon Award recipient.

Aria Wilcox works in the sales and events department for a California-based agriculture magazine and trade show company. In addition, she is the chief marketing officer for her family’s book publishing business, Wolford Press, and co-owns the exotic pet business, Biomancer Morphs, with her partner. She is currently working toward earning her bachelor's degree in communications from Fresno State University, while first earning a business communications certificate and associate’s degree.