Back in the Day

The Last Word: Editor’s Notes by Ann Clinton

Istarted my journalism career in a newsroom at the Creston News Advertiser. I’d just completed my freshman year of college, and I was thrilled when I landed the internship. The position was paid, and I was able to commute from the parents’ home in Massena. Could it get any better than that?

I had no idea what I was doing when I started that job. None. But I was motivated to learn and hungry to see my name in print.

I soon fell in love with the action and fast-paced flow of news. Topics ranging from politics to high school sports were cussed and discussed, then objectively reported on by the writing team. I attended city council meetings and covered the crime beat. I once parked in the Sheriff’s spot by mistake and the entire town knew about it because it was broadcast over the police scanner. Good times. A newsroom isn’t the kindest of places for a newbie, so I had to learn how to hold my own quickly. I also learned to listen more than I talked and observe more than I questioned. I credit that experience for so many of the skills I have today, but most importantly, I learned how to write that summer.

There are days here at the Iowa Soybean Association that remind me of the newsroom back in southwest Iowa. I’m a part of an editorial team that hashes out the issues, and I’m stationed among the writers who are chasing down the stories. Since the trade war started, it seems like something is always on “fire” and needs to be vetted out.

What is most impressive, however, is the team of professionals who report the stories, in written, visual and audio form. We are all passionately dedicated to you, the farmer. Not a day goes by that we aren’t working diligently, interpreting

data and delivering the information that will help you on your farm.

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, I want to tell you how grateful I am for your readership of the Iowa Soybean Review. I don’t take for granted the time you invest in reading the publication and, more specifically, this column. It is truly a blessing to work and write on behalf of Iowa’s soybean farmers. Thank you for considering us a trusted source of information for your farming operation.

Back in the day, I learned the importance of serving the greater community and the immense responsibility of doing it well. And after all these years, I can confidently say that it did get better than that first real-world experience.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. May there be so many blessings in your life that you’re overwhelmed with gratitude.

aclinton@iasoybeans.com