CALLICOON — The Sullivan County Democrat's Kathy Daley has won a national award for her 2018 coverage of the dairy industry crisis which affected local farmers last year.

The National Newspaper Assn. (NNA) announced Wednesday the Sullivan County Dem­ocrat had won Second Place, Story Series, Best Agricultural Story, Daily and non-daily Division, circulation 6,000 or more for its ongoing coverage of the dairy industry.

“It's a tribute to the endless hours of hard work that Kathy Daley put into this project,” Democrat Publisher Fred Stabbert III said. “The dairy industry is truly an important piece of the Sullivan County economy and our year-long coverage showed the many struggles these farmers faced in getting their milk processed and making ends meet.”

First place in the Agricultural Series division went to the Yamhill Valley News-Register in McMinnville, Oregon for its stories on Plant Geek. Third place winner was The Sun of Santa Maria, CA for its series on Growing Pains.

There were 1,303 entries in the Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and 207 entries in the Better Newspaper Advertising Contest for a total of 1,510 entries.

A total of 485 awards were won by 97 member newspapers in 36 states.

Iowa had the most combined BNC/BNAC wins with 63, followed by Wyoming with 61 and California with 47.

Judging was performed primarily by active community newspaper editors and publishers, as well as retired university journalism professors and retired or former newspaper professionals.

“The quality of entries is always inspiring and encouraging,” said judge Mark Campbell, editor, Azle News (Texas). “Exceptional journalism continues to readily be available across the nation, as evidenced by the strong writings I judge annually.”

Winners will be recognized at the awards breakfast held Saturday, October 5, during NNA's 133rd Annual Convention & Trade Show at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Established in 1885, the National Newspaper Association is the voice of America's community newspapers and is one of the largest newspaper associations in the country.