Judges have selected four Purdue Agriculture student winners for the 2025 Townsend Communication in Agriculture competition. The awards recognize undergraduate student excellence in writing and presentational speaking about agriculture and natural resources.
The winners are Madison Clary a junior from Westfield, Indiana, majoring in Agricultural Economics; Aidan Conley a junior from Crown Point, Indiana, majoring in Animal Sciences: Pre-Veterinary Medicine and minoring in Creative Writing; Paityn Freese a junior from Brookville, Indiana, with majors in Natural Resources and Environmental Science and Political Science; and Medi Guest a senior from Columbus, Indiana, majoring in Animal Sciences.
Clary received a $1,500 Townsend Award of Excellence for her written entry “A Bittersweet Reality: Unwrapping the Knotted Truth of Chocolate.” She plans to become an economist specializing in the agricultural supply chain, where she will focus on the movement of food and goods on an international scale.
Conley received a $1,000 Townsend Outstanding Communicator award for his presentation titled “Udderly Understaffed: The Livestock Veterinarian Shortage.” He plans to pursue veterinary school to study companion animal medicine and specialize in cardiology or ophthalmology.
Freese received a $1,000 Townsend Outstanding Communicator award for her written entry “More Than Its Systems: A Reflection on the Motivations of America’s Farmers.” She plans to attend law school and hopes to practice agricultural or environmental law and work with the government.
Guest received a $1,000 Townsend Outstanding Communicator award for her written entry “Beyond the Barn: How Horses Are Healing More Than Just Riders.” After graduation, she plans to attend veterinary school at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Her professional interests include large-animal medicine, animal welfare, and the intersection of science and communication to help bridge the gap between the agricultural industry and the public.
Madison Clary 
Aidan Conley 
Paityn Freese 
Medi Guest The Townsend Communication in Agriculture Program recognizes and develops excellence in professional speaking and writing about science, agriculture, and natural resources. Entrants are undergraduates in the Purdue College of Agriculture. The competition is in honor of the W. Wayne Townsend family of Indiana. The late Mr. Townsend ran as the Democratic Party’s candidate for Indiana governor in 1984 and started his leadership career at Purdue, ultimately serving on the Purdue Board of Trustees for 15 years. The late Mrs. Helen Townsend, like her husband, was a Purdue graduate (1951) who dedicated her life to public service in her hometown community and the entire state of Indiana. She was an avid supporter of Purdue Agriculture and Purdue University students.
Details for entering the 2026 competition will be announced this fall.
