Airing on the Side of Agriculture

Five broadcasters who traveled recently with the NAFB delegation to China offered their reactions and photos. Featured are highlights reported by Monte James, Shannon Yokley, Steve Bridge, David Geiger, and Spencer Chase. U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad briefed broadcasters during their time in Beijing. The briefing was across the street from the U.S. Embassy at the Hilton hotel for logistical reasons and so broadcasters could access their recording equipment. The NAFB trip started June 21, and broadcasters returned on July 4.

One of our newest NAFB Broadcast Council members is new to the broadcasting industry, too. Originally from Topeka, KS, Ashley Craft (KMZU, Carrollton, MO) graduated from the University of Missouri with a BS in science and agricultural journalism and an MS in agricultural communications, education, and leadership. She has had experience with video, social media marketing, newspaper writing, editing, and book publishing; but radio is a new adventure that the Kansas native is excited to be taking on.

Dan Johnson is part of the farm broadcast team with 580 WIBW Radio and the Kansas Agriculture Network in Topeka. You could say Dan has come full-circle in terms of radio and agriculture. Dan grew up on a farm operation in southeast Kansas. During the summer when he wasn’t hauling hay, he was usually listening to the radio as he drove a tractor, truck, or self-propelled swather. In spite of that background, Dan didn’t pursue agriculture or media when he left the farm after graduating from high school.  Like many who aren’t sure what they want to be when they grow up, Dan began a scenic route through higher education by studying business. A couple years later, Dan switched to journalism with a focus on broadcast news. Dan also married his wife around this time. They raised two children. After earning his journalism degree, Dan worked as news director at a Chanute, KS, radio station for a few years before eventually transitioning into sales.

HOOSIER AG TODAY LAUNCHES SOIL PODCAST – Hoosier Ag Today (HAT), Indiana’s leading agricultural network, has launched the HAT Soil Health Podcast in partnership with the Conservation Cropping System Initiative. This monthly podcast program will cover a variety of in-depth issues involved in adopting cover crops and other practices that promote soil health. Hosted by HAT farm broadcaster Eric Pfeiffer, the program will feature Indiana farmers and technical experts who are taking steps to improve the health of the soil every day.

Claire Baney, Indiana FFA State President for 2017-2018, has hung up her Blue jacket and picked up a microphone as she joins the Hoosier Ag Today (HAT) team as a summer intern. Baney, who will attend Purdue in the fall as a freshman majoring in agricultural economics and agricultural education, was chosen because of her passion for agriculture and great communication skills. 

“We are thrilled to have a young person of such talent and high caliber on our staff for the summer,” said Gary Truitt, president of Hoosier Ag Today.

Kim Bremmer (Allied Industry Member, Loyal, WI) is owner of Ag Inspirations, LLC. She grew up on a dairy farm in north central Wisconsin, but never dreamed she would ever be involved in agriculture. “I loved the medical field and always wanted to be a doctor. Heading back to the farm or studying agriculture was never a thought.” But a year into college at University of Wisconsin-Madison, it was clear how much she missed the cows and began work on the campus farm and in the ruminant nutrition lab. “I have always loved science, so working in the lab and studying animal nutrition and biochemistry seemed an instant fit.” Kim graduated with a degree in dairy science and a degree in agricultural journalism and then worked as a livestock nutrition consultant for 15 years in central Wisconsin. 

Al Gustin (Emeritus Member, Mandan, ND) said, “Things are good up here in North Dakota, but we’re praying for rain, which is typical.” He added, “I enjoy your Airing on the Side of Agriculture blogs and thought I'd bring you up to date on something I've been doing.”  Dwayne Walker (left) and Al Gustin have been working side by side as photographer and reporter since 1969.  “We're both retired, but we’re still doing reports for This Week in Agribusiness. 

With two years now under his belt as a radio personality, Carson Horn (Radio Oklahoma Network, Oklahoma City, OK) is starting to get the hang of the broadcast industry and is making a name for himself among the agriculture community in Oklahoma. In June 2016, Carson joined Radio Oklahoma Ag Network as Associate Director of Farm Programming with no prior experience in the broadcast industry. Fast-forward to today, Carson has absorbed a full range of responsibilities at the network on and off the air, covering both markets and news throughout his daily routine. Under the tutelage of Farm Director and Hall of Fame Broadcaster Ron Hays, Carson has become integral to the management of the network’s companion website and newsletter, The Oklahoma Farm Report, aside from his duties on-air.

With the desire to tell the unique stories of the many people throughout the central part of the country and beyond, the crew at KFRM (Clay Center, KS) had a brainstorming session in Kyle Bauer's office one day and, as they say, the rest is history.  Duane Toews reports, “While the vast majority of our programming focused on the dollars and cents of production agriculture and agri-business, we knew there were some really special stories to be told that had nothing to do with what we focus on every day.” On the Front Porch is a long form, talk program with five different hosts covering each day of the week.

Clint Ridley of rural St. Onge, SD, is a commodity market analyst for KBHB (Sturgis, SD). Clint started his radio broadcast journey in 2012, following the departure of NAFB member Chase Adams from the radio chair. For Clint, reporting on the commodity markets isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. “I run a cattle brokerage business, so understanding the markets, what makes them move, and relaying them to the public came natural to me,” said Clint. He sources feeder cattle to customers from the Dakotas to Texas, along with being a fifth generation rancher on his family ranch. He believes that being diversified in agriculture is important.