Airing on the Side of Agriculture

Amie Simpson’s journey to farm broadcasting didn’t begin on the farm—but rather in a newsroom.

With more than four decades in the broadcasting industry, Neal Gladner’s career has spanned markets, mediums, and management—culminating in his current role as executive director of the Arkansas Broadcasters Association (ABA), where he’s helping guide the state’s broadcasters through a rapidly evolving media landscape.

KC Sheperd, farm director at the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network, has been named the recipient of the 2024 Milt Hakel Award for Excellence in Broadcasting. The honor, presented by the National Farmers Union (NFU), recognizes outstanding achievement in agricultural journalism and farm broadcasting.

Sydney Septer, NAFB student member and a sophomore at Iowa State University, stepped onto a Costa Rican farm, and it was more than just an academic exercise. It was a chance to see agriculture through a new lens and to discover her capacity for adventure.

For Jim Taylor, a network anchor for the RFD Radio Network, telling the story of Illinois agriculture isn’t just a job—it’s a calling that has earned him some of the industry’s highest honors.

After 17 years with the network, Randy Koenen retired from the Red River Farm Network on July 1, 2025.

"The best part about the network is the people, the people we're serving, our farmer listeners and the businesses," Randy says. "It's a fun family all the way around."

KRVN Farm Director Steve White has been named the 2025 recipient of the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation’s Lifetime Friend of the Fair Award, a prestigious honor recognizing his decades-long dedication to agriculture and the Nebraska State Fair.

Lynn Ketelsen was recently named to the Minnesota FFA Hall of Fame at the state convention in St. Paul, MN.

Jace Green
Senior in Agriculture
Western Illinois University

When did you join NAFB? 
2023