The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Marketing and Agricultural Communications team was recently honored with national awards from the National Agricultural Alumni Development Association (NAADA) and the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE). 

In service of Martin-Gatton CAFE’s mission, the department produces work in writing, graphic design, photography, videography, web design and publications. 

"I’m incredibly proud of our Marketing and Agricultural Communications team," said Derrick Meads, director of marketing and strategic communications.  “Their work is thoughtful, creative and always focused on advancing the college's mission areas and the communities we serve.” 

See the winners below and revisit the projects that highlight Martin-Gatton CAFE’s important work to advance the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  

National Agricultural Alumni Development Association (NAADA)  

NAADA is a national, non-profit, professional association for professionals working in communications and other areas at agricultural colleges and organizations. Its annual Publications and Projects Competition recognizes creative and impactful projects.  

Christopher Carney, communications associate director, won second place in Mixed Media: Websites for his story about 2025 University of Kentucky Hall of Distinguished Alumni inductee Bob Hall. 

Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) 

A networking and professional development organization for communicators, ACE recognizes excellent work through its Critique and Awards Program. Several members of the Martin-Gatton CAFE Marketing and Agricultural Communications team attended the 2025 conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

Brian Volland, photo/video associate director, and Kristopher Chappel, video production specialist, won silver in Informational, News, or Educational Video Production for their video about the Military Teen Adventure Camps (MTAC). Read more about MTAC here. 

Volland also won silver in Social Media Videos for his video coverage of the Color Me Kentucky 2024 Spring Fashion Show.  

Lynsay Christensen, marketing associate director, and LouRae Stacy, marketing coordinator, won silver in Logos for the Kentucky Children’s Garden logo.  

Matt Barton, agriculture communications specialist and photographer, won gold in Service Photo for his sunset photo of greenhouses at the UK Horticulture Research Farm.  

Barton also won silver in Picture Story for photo coverage of a Martin-Gatton CAFE beef class.  

Christensen, Stacy and Bailey Vandiver, marketing/communications and social media coordinator, won silver in Promotional Publications for the Martin-Gatton CAFE Undergraduate Viewbook.  

Jordan Strickler, agriculture communications specialist, won silver in Writing for the Web for his story about UK researchers’ work to turn bourbon production waste into a renewable energy source. 

Strickler also won bronze in Writing for the Web for his story about a UK grant to explore drone technology for livestock management.  

Vandiver won silver in Writing for Social Media for her story about a UK student who conducted salamander research at Robinson Forest.  

Vandiver also presented a breakout session at the conference about improving interviewing skills for better and more effective stories.  

To learn more about Martin-Gatton CAFE Marketing and Agricultural Communications, visit https://communications.ca.uky.edu/.   

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Writer: Bailey Vandiver, bailey.vandiver@uky.edu  

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services to individuals and institutions that provide equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.