Airing on the Side of Agriculture

Hurricane Laura caused just over $525 million in damage to Louisiana farmers and $1.1 billion in damage to the Louisiana timber industry, according to preliminary estimates by the Louisiana State University AgCenter.

Texas Farm Bureau (Waco, Texas), the state's largest general farm organization, launched a daily weekday podcast that highlights important news and happenings in Texas agriculture. Texas Ag Today is a product of the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network. 

Madison Mackley recently joined the team at Rocking M Media as the farm director for the Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio Network (Colby, Kansas). This is her first job in broadcasting, working simultaneously as a farm broadcaster and still farming alongside her family. 

Anita Vanderwert (Brownfield Ag News, Jefferson City, Missouri) got back in the show ring for the first time in 30 years and won the “aged” class for cattle showmanship at this year’s Missouri State Fair, after accepting a challenge from her son, Ethan. 

Fire is a regular occurrence in California every summer.

Andy Petersen (Big Show Radio, WHO, Des Moines, Iowa) was recognized with an award from the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IAHSAA) for 15 years as an active official. 

The Red River Farm Network (RRFN) is celebrating its 25th anniversary. RRFN made its debut on December 4, 1995. 

Supported by the NAFB Foundation Internship Grant Program, Maddie Fugate worked this summer with NAFB President-Elect Gale Cunningham (WYXY, Champaign, Illinois).

Amy Biehl-Owens has been named market manager for the Lexington-based Nebraska Rural Radio Association (NRRA) stations, KRVN AM, 93.1 The River, and KAMI.

Brent Barnett (Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, Des Moines, Iowa) is a new farm broadcaster and NAFB member who grew up in the small northwest Missouri town of Burlington Junction. After graduating from West Nodaway High School, Barnett earned his BS in mass media from Northwest Missouri State University in 2015.