Airing on the Side of Agriculture

With the arrival of spring and temperatures rising, farmers across Indiana are planting the state’s 15 million acres of crops. To keep motorists and farmers safe this planting season, several state agencies have partnered to encourage Hoosiers to be alert, slow down, and share the road with farm equipment.

“Hoosier Ag Today (HAT) has partnered with these agencies to produce a public service announcement (PSA) urging motorists to be aware of farm equipment on the road,” Gary Truitt said. 

The Rural Radio Network welcomes Hayes Center, Nebraska, native Rebel Sjeklocha as their 2020 summer intern.​ Sjeklocha, a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is majoring in agricultural and environmental sciences communication and minoring in Engler Entrepreneurship, business law, and international agriculture.

Known originally as the “Voice of the Norfolk Daily News,” WJAG (Norfolk, Nebraska) is preparing to celebrate its 100th year of broadcasting in 2022.

“Radio has always been a constant in my life,” said Chabella Guzman (KRVN, Rural Radio Network, Scottsbluff Nebraska). 

On March 3, Duane Murley marked his 35th year at AM 540 KWMT (Fort Dodge, Iowa). 

This month, husband and wife NAFB Broadcast Council members Rusty and Sabrina Halvorson are celebrating 30 years working in the media. 

The role of the farm broadcaster varies daily during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Little did we know on March 12, driving home from AgSafe’s annual conference in the heart of California, the wild ride of farm news we would cover for the next month and a half,” said Taylor Hillman (AgNet West Radio Network, Clovis, California).

Uncertainty is currently the name of the game.

Farmers in the Northeast United States are facing COVID-19 effects much as they are across the nation and world.