The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Angie Greving, left, and Katie Oehm, the marketing team at Insight FS in Jefferson, Wis., stand at one of their cooperative locations with their first-place award from the 2024 Cooperative Communicators Association Communications Contest.

The Cooperative Communicators Association (CCA) has officially opened submissions for its annual communication contest. Spanning more than 50 categories, the contest celebrates excellence in writing, photography, video, project management, and publication design, all aimed at advancing cooperative communication.

“The contest is a unique platform for cooperative communicators to showcase their talent, creativity, and expertise among a distinguished network of peers,” said Dori Lichty, CCA board member and contest chairperson. “With industry professionals conducting blind judging, participants not only compete for recognition but also benefit from constructive feedback, making this an educational experience, as well.”

The contest is open to both CCA members and non-members. However, all entries must have been created, produced, or published for the benefit of a cooperative organization between Feb. 1, 2024, and Jan. 30, 2025. Winning submissions will be honored at the annual CCA Institute, scheduled for June 1-3, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colo. Additionally, the winners will be featured online in the “Winners Showcase” at www.communicators.coop.

To simplify the submission process, CCA collaborates with the online platform Award Force. Contestants can access detailed brochures, checklists, category descriptions, and rules on the CCA website. The early-bird deadline is Jan. 30, 2025, with the final entry date of Feb. 6, 2025.

For more information and to submit your entries, visit www.communicators.coop. “Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain recognition and valuable insight within the cooperative-communication industry,” added Lichty. “The feedback provided can help you improve your communication talents.”

CCA exists to improve the effectiveness of all cooperative communicators; advance professional standards; and exchange facts, research, techniques, and opinions among cooperative communicators. Board members for the 2024-2025 business year, and their home cooperatives: Cliff Dolbeare, president, GROWMARK, Inc., Bloomington, Ill.; Dori Lichty, vice president, CentralStar Cooperative, Waupun, Wis.; Kelly Jimenez, secretary-treasurer, Carroll EMC, Carrollton, Ga.; Adam Buckallew, MFA Oil Company, Columbia, Mo.; Jennie Lacey, Roberta, Ga.; Anne Baehnman, URUS Group LP, Madison, Wis.; Brianna Wall, Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Norman, Okla.; Hayley Leatherwood, Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Mallory Shoemaker, Central Valley Ag Cooperative, Beloit, Kan. Visit www.communicators.coop for more information.