Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Eden Valley Watkins Voice Entry Title: The End of an Era Entry Credit: Ellarry Prentice Judge Comment: Head and shoulders above the rest. This, THIS is community journalism. I guarantee EVERYbody in the readership area knows this spot, however diminutive it might be. But these places are important, particularly to the regulars. Your writing drove that home, and their good-natured dynamic was shining bright throughout the article, along with their lament. These places are dotted across the country, and you really captured this one in particular. Great job, Ellarry!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Cloquet - Pine Knot News Entry Title: Like mother, like daughter Entry Credit: Jana Peterson Judge Comment: Community journalism means honoring those members of the area that go about doing their job without much fanfare. To have three generations honored here is what it's all about. Great voice, great history, great community journalism.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Balaton - Press Tribune Entry Title: Technology helps increase dairy efficiency at Lingen Dairy Entry Credit: Jenny Kirk Judge Comment: I really enjoyed reading this. It's always fascinating to see how technology helps with a wide variety of professions, including the ag community. The author clearly spent some quality time with Josh, and the story and photos show that. The biggest detractor, given that it's a family operation, is that I only heard from one family member. If we had multiple voices of those family members, it would take it next level.
