Airing on the Side of Agriculture

Chad Smith never planned on becoming a farm broadcaster. He certainly never planned on becoming editor of the NAFB News Service.

But after a career full of unexpected turns, Smith has found himself doing both.

Smith attended Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota, where he studied speech communication, radio and television. 

“I actually was first interested in radio because I wanted to be a play-by-play guy,” Smith said.

From growing up on a dairy farm in north central Iowa to serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns has spent much of his career connected to American agriculture. Now, he is continuing that work in a new role as senior advisor for Avalo.

Johanns joined Avalo in early June, bringing decades of experience in agriculture, public policy and government to the agricultural technology company.

His agricultural roots stretch back to his childhood near Osage, Iowa, where his family operated a 160-acre farm with dairy cattle, beef cattle and chickens.

Bryce Doeschot, operations manager for the Rural Radio Network, traveled to Washington, D.C., in July to join broadcasters from across the country in advocating for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

Doeschot represented Nebraska as part of a fly-in organized through state broadcaster associations across the country. While broadcasters from some states used the trip to encourage lawmakers to support the legislation, Doeschot said Nebraska's visit was largely a “thank you tour.”

Name: Ella Peterson

Title: Student at Iowa State University, majoring in Agricultural Communications

When did you join NAFB? 2024

What is your dream vacation spot? Athens, Greece

What is your favorite book or podcast that you’d recommend to others? The Hunger Games

Name: Ryan Siegel

Title: Marketing Communications Manager at Missouri Soybean Association

When did you join NAFB? 2019

For nearly five decades, Bob Bosold has shared the stories of Wisconsin agriculture over the airwaves. Along the way, he has also helped tell the stories of thousands of FFA members.

That lifelong commitment recently earned Bosold induction into the Wisconsin FFA Hall of Fame.

After decades spent telling agriculture's stories through broadcasting, leadership and public service, Colleen Callahan, founder and owner of Colleen Callahan Consultancy, has found a new way to connect with agriculture.

When Parker James returned to farm broadcasting a few years ago, he hoped to build a long-term career in the industry. Becoming an owner was always a goal, but one he expected would come much later.

Name: Katelyn Maass

Title: Senior Manager, North American Retail Communications at Nutrien Ag Solutions

How long have you been an NAFB member?Joined NAFB in November 2024

What is your dream vacation spot? Amalfi Coast, Italy

For John Jenkinson, restoring antique semi trucks is about more than bringing old vehicles back to life. It's about preserving an important part of agriculture's history.