Airing on the Side of Agriculture

Long-time Missouri Dairy Association (MDA) Executive Director Dave Drennan recently retired after serving 23.5 years at the helm of MDA. Drennan started with the association in December 1995 after 11 years with the National Corn Growers Association and eight years with the American Soybean Association. 

Veteran agricultural journalist Sam Knipp has joined the First Oklahoma Ag Network team as a farm broadcaster. Knipp brings diversified journalism, public relations, marketing, and academic skills to the iHeartradio family. A true son of the soil, Knipp was raised on a western Kansas farm and ranch near Scott City. He graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in agricultural journalism and a minor in agricultural economics.  Knipp later earned an MS in agricultural communications from Oklahoma State University (OSU). After working for radio and TV stations in Kansas and Missouri, he worked in communications and public relations for Kansas Farm Bureau and directed the communications and public relations efforts for Oklahoma Farm Bureau and American Farmers and Ranchers. 

Gale Cunningham, (Farm Director, WYXY Classic 99.1 FM, Champaign, Illinois) said, “Being selected as NAFB National Vice President is indeed one of my most precious recognitions. Serving farm broadcasters, allied industry members, management and sales members, and honorary and emeritus members is such an honor. In each case, the passion and dedication of delivering the story of agriculture to farmers, ranchers, and  consumers is unquestionably the highest privilege one could have.”

Roddy Peeples (NAFB Emeritis Member, Dallas, Texas) made a long-desired trip in late March and April to the D-Day landing beaches and, even more specifically, Ponte du Hoc. His son, Rick (left), joined him for the trip. 

Patrick Cavanaugh (California Ag Today, Clovis, California) proudly announced that his daughter Erin Sanders and son-in-law Nick are the parents of Madeline Monet Sanders, born April 25, making Patrick a grandfather.

Erin Nash, NAFB Marketing and Communications Manager, recently received the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) R.C. Ferguson Award. The 2019-20 NAMA President, Scott McClure from the Brighton Agency in St. Louis, presented Nash the award at the 2019 NAMA Spring Conference, held in April in Kansas City.

The Funk Companies announced in early April the purchase of the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network from its owners, Watermark Farm Company. 

Hoosier Ag Today (Zionsville, Indiana) recently announced the acquisition of ownership and management of the Michigan Ag Information Network (MAIN). Beginning May 6, 2019, Hoosier Ag Today will assume program production and distribution. Programs will continue to be referred to as the Michigan Ag Information Network. 

Four agriculture industry leaders recently were inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction in Baton Rouge.

Tom Brand, NAFB Executive Director, reminds members Gene Hemphill has had a connection to NAFB members since the 1980s. “From his time working for Secretary John R. Block at USDA, to a career at Ford and New Holland, to serving on the NAFB Foundation Board of Directors, Gene has been a great friend to many in our association,” Brand said.