Flinn Scholar Sarah McDonald ('02) won first place in the campaign plan category at the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Convention. The convention was held this past summer in Kansas City, Mo., and included 13 universities and 233 entries in 23 categories.

Sarah's project--which included a brochure, news release, display board, public announcement, and newsletter--focused on bridging the ideological and perception gap between environmentalists and ranchers.

"I built the project around the theme of radical center; people abandon extreme views and come to the center to work together," McDonald told the Arizona Daily Wildcat. "They try to find common ground."

It is a topic near to her heart. Sarah is a fifth-generation rancher, and her parents are involved with Malpai Border Lands Group, a group that seeks to resolve the conflict between ranchers and environmentalists. According to the Wildcat, Malpai has even used some of Sarah's brochures as an aid to their efforts.

Sarah has long been active in agricultural community efforts. While attending Douglas High School, she served as president of Future Farmers of America, and won a number of awards from that organization. She is currently an agriculture and life sciences sophomore at the University of Arizona.

Sarah is the first student from UA to win the award.

More information:

"Ranch plan gets attention," Arizona Daily Wildcat, 09/19/2003

"Agricultural and Resources Economics Student 1st in National Communications Contest," UA News, 09/10/2003