Yakima Valley Residency Program
The Yakima Valley Tourism is sponsoring the Yakima Valley Residency, a new program open to North American Guild of Beer Writers (NAGBW) members. The purpose is to elevate new and emerging freelance writers, storytellers, and communicators who are passionate about telling compelling stories about the Yakima Valley.
About the Program
The program aims to:- Foster a community of ambassadors for the destination
- Expand awareness and positive perception via authentic storytelling
- Provide immersive, hand-on experiences to storytellers so their work is deeply rooted in place
What's in it for You?
Each year the program will sponsor ONE (1) writer. The winner will receive:- Round trip airfare to the destination*
- Hosted meals and accommodations during the visit for three to four days
- $500 stipend
- Site visits, behind-the-scenes access, cultural experiences, and meetings with local hop farmers, brewers, and other stakeholders
- Ongoing engagement for future events and building networks
*note: airfare may be arranged on behalf of the winner or be a partial or full reimbursement, depending on the departure location and costs at the time of booking
Application Process
Nominees will complete the application form above that includes the following information- Personal and contact information
- Short bio (approx. 150-200 words)
- Links or uploads of 2-3 published works or writing samples
- Statement of interest (why you want to visit Yakima Valley and what perspective you bring
- Two editorial pitches of story ideas relevant to the destination
- Media handles or portfolio (if applicable)
Eligibility
- Be a member in good standing of the NAGBW
- Be based in the US or Canada
- Be a strong communicator (written, audio, video or mixed media)
- Have some past publishing experience or demonstrated ability to pitch stories
- Hold a genuine interest in the destination, with eagerness to learn deeper context
- Bring fresh perspective or unique voice
Timeline
- January 15, 2026 Program announcement
- February 1-28, 2026 Nomination window open
- March 1-31, 2026 Review and selection process
- April 15, 2026 Winner announced
- August 15 - September 30, 2026 visit Yakima Valley
- Publish blogpost and articles
Selection Process
- A committee including representatives from Yakima Valley Tourism, NAGBW,, Bale Breaker Brewing Company and John I. Haas will review all nominations
- The committee will make a determination based on
- The eligibility criteria listed above
- Nominees’ experience and writing samples
- Strength of the pitches
Expected Outcomes
- One ~500 word blog post on visityakima.com about the residency program
- Two paid published stories within two years of the visit (Yakima Valley Tourism and NAGBW can help identify publications if needed)
- Build relationships with producers and brewers in the destination for future stories
Award Winners
For questions or more information about the program contact the program organizer.