New Prague, MN (June 17, 2026) – On Tuesday, June 16, during the 2026 Agricultural Relations Council (ARC) Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minn., ARC welcomed Dr. James F. Evans into the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame. Sponsored by AgriMarketing Magazine, the award recognizes agricultural public relations professionals who have made lifetime contributions to the industry.
Evans, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is a true visionary in the field of agricultural communications, transforming it into a rigorous academic discipline. With a 33-year career in teaching and research, he is recognized globally for his leadership in ag communications education. Starting his tenure at the University of Illinois in 1968, Evans pioneered a curriculum that blended the technical precision of agricultural science with the strategic nuance of professional communications. He taught students that agricultural public relations is a matter of ethics and transparency, and encouraged them to foster a meaningful dialogue between the producer and the consumer.
“There is no equal to Dr. James Evans in the breadth and depth of their impact on agriculture communications, and no one more worthy of recognition in the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame,” said Jeff Altheide, former student of Evans and 2018 inductee into the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame. “His influence extends well beyond the University of Illinois. As a researcher, author, thought leader and mentor, Jim has helped craft agriculture communications programs at many other universities around the world. His dedication to professionalism and ethical standards within the practice are admirable. His passion for the theory and practice of communications in the agricultural industry is legendary.”
Evans is also known for his focus on documentation and archiving the progression of agricultural communications. He recognized early on that the history of agricultural relations was at risk of being lost. Through his tireless efforts, he helped establish the Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC), which now houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of resources in the field.
“By preserving thousands of documents, research papers and historical records, Dr. Evans provided a foundation for future scholars,” said Lyle Orwig, former student of Evans and 2012 inductee into the Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame. “He ensured that agricultural relations professionals have a ‘collective memory,’ allowing the industry to learn from past successes and failures in public relations and rural outreach. He is beyond deserving of this prestigious honor and recognition of the discipline he helped build, sustain and professionalize over a career spanning more than half a century.”
Evans shared his passion for documentation with ARC and has been instrumental in preserving the organization’s history. “If not for Jim’s efforts to archive the history of ARC, much of our history would have been lost,” said Daren Williams, former ARC staff member and 2024 Agricultural Public Relations Hall of Fame inductee. “He was always gracious and generous with his time when it came to promoting the art and science of public relations. I have witnessed the true impact Jim had on the profession through his students, who have been close colleagues and mentors throughout my career.”
In addition to the numerous students he mentored and significant contributions he made to the agricultural communications program at the University of Illinois, in 1996 Evans was awarded the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication Alumni Award from Iowa State University.
The Agricultural Relations Council is the only association dedicated to serving the unique needs of public relations professionals working in agriculture, food, fiber and other related industries. ARC is a conduit for problem solving, idea sharing and collaboration among members, who share a passion for excellence in public relations.