Emily Kenny joined the Spectrum News 1 team as a digital journalist in July 2022. As part of the Report for America program, Emily’s beat is covering food production and agriculture.

The agriculture beat always made sense for Emily, who grew up on her family farm in Schaller, Iowa.

Emily earned her bachelor’s degree in digital media and psychology from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa in 2018. During her time at Buena Vista, Emily worked as the editor-in-chief and visuals editor of the school paper. She also led the school’s local radio station as the news and music director. She then went on to earn her master’s degree in photojournalism at Syracuse University.

Emily is the recipient of multiple journalism and photography awards, including the 2017 Iowa Collegiate Media Awards Best News Photograph and the 2021 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Feature Photography Award for Region 1. In 2023, Emily was recognized by the New York State Agricultural Society as Journalist of the Year. 

You can find Emily on X (formerly Twitter) @EmilyKenny96 and Instagram @emilykenny.photo.