Airing on the Side of Agriculture

For the first time in eight years, Prairie Farmer has named an Honorary Master Farmer.  They chose Max Armstrong (WGN, Chicago, IL, and Penton Agriculture, Aurora, IL). 

The Thomas Fire that burned through Ventura County last December became the largest fire in California’s history, and it led to some major agricultural losses, reports Patrick Cavanaugh (California Ag Today, Clovis, CA). “There were 6,603 acres of avocados, 1,800 acres of lemons, and another 540 acres of oranges, as well as another dozen crops that were affected,” said Henry Gonzales, the Agricultural Commissioner of Ventura County.

Mid-West Family Broadcasting has gained a new voice for Wisconsin agriculture. Jenna Lee Crayton is the Assistant Farm Director for the Wisconsin Farm Report Radio Network. Jenna Lee works alongside the “Fabulous Farm Babe,” Pam Jahnke, to keep the public informed on Wisconsin agriculture from field to fork. Jahnke said, “I’m excited to have Jenna as our assistant. Her passion for Wisconsin agriculture is obvious, and I’m looking forward for our audience to connect with her as they hear her every day.”

If Colter Brown (Northern Ag Network, Billings, MT) had a dollar for every time he’s heard that, he said, “I wouldn’t have to work at all.” Even though he’s been around farm broadcasting his whole life, if you would have asked him five years ago if he was going to be on the Northern Ag Network, his answer would’ve been, “Not a chance.” He explained, “I think my dad would tell you that he never intended on being in farm broadcasting for his entire career. Dad always planned on going back to the ranch, but the farm economy, life and the Lord intervened. 

Winter is a busy meeting season. Don Wick (Red River Farm Network, Grand Forks, ND) said, “In addition to local and regional events, RRFN has covered the Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix, American Farm Bureau Convention in Nashville, Potato Expo in Orlando, American Sugarbeet Growers Association’s Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, and U.S. Custom Harvesters Convention in Grand Island, NE.

(When NAFB Hall of Famer Wey Simpson read John Winfield’s career story in the February 2018 issue, he was moved to write the following.) “I was intrigued by John Winfield’s note that he always wanted to be in radio.  That's exactly what I wanted, too.  In the mid-1930s when we were riding into Spokane from our Deer Park, WA, farm I announced to my parents that I wanted to be a radio announcer.

Tony Purcell (Texas State Networks, Dallas, TX) reports, “The 2018 agricultural outlook for Texas is good. There is a lot of potential for Texas Agriculture. With nearby cotton futures over 80 cents on a big crop, and fed cattle cash over $120, this could likely be a turn-around year.” 

“Telling the story of farmers, ranchers and their families is what I love most about farm broadcasting,” said Juli Mauch (KBMW, Wahpeton, WI). “With 18 radio stations in the Dakotas and Minnesota, being a part of the new Ag Central radio network gives me a great opportunity to do just that.”

Hoosier Ag Today announces the addition of Eric Pfeiffer to their experienced farm broadcast staff. “Having Eric on our team will allow us to position HAT to expand its services to farmers, radio affiliates, and sponsors while maintaining our commitment to quality and innovation,” said Gary Truitt, President and founder of Hoosier Ag Today.

“On a cold, damp March day somewhere back in the 1970s, I was trying to break a stubborn 4-H steer to lead. He wanted nothing to do with it. He protested by jerking his head so hard I let go of the halter, lost my footing, and fell face-first into the mud and muck. At that moment, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with livestock anymore. But, I was devoted to 4-H and stuck it out for nine years. I’m glad I did because little did I know my future self was depending on it.”