ACE History

ACE's History

ACE has had a rich history since the first gathering of four land-grant college agricultural editors on July 10, 1913, at the University of Illinois. 

Learn about ACE’s history.

Two former ACE members hold a poster for the 1973 AAACE Conference in Ontario, Canada.

Annual Conferences

ACE members have met every year except for three years during World War II. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ACE members met virtually for two years. 

See the list of dates, locations and hosts of past conferences.

ACE members ask questions to the 2023 ACE conference keynote speaker.

Past ACE Presidents

ACE presidents have provided organizational leadership through a wide range of goals and issues. 

Read about each ACE past president.

Journal of Applied Communications

The Journal of Applied Communications (JAC) is a quarterly, refereed journal published by ACE. The journal focuses on issues and topics relevant to agricultural and applied communication professionals and is peer-reviewed to ensure accuracy and quality. 

Search topics in issues back to 1969.


Buck O’Neil shared stories with 2003 Kansas City conference attendees


ACE Collection in USDA National Agricultural Library

ACE’s physical history from 1913 to 1998 is archived in 50 boxes at the National Ag Library in Beltsville, MD. In 1996-97, the collection was processed and arranged into 22 series by William E. Carnahan, ACE archivist. 

Learn what is stored and can be accessed there.



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