Airing on the Side of Agriculture

Lydia Johnson started working for Agri-Pulse as a broadcaster on June 1. 

Johnson grew up on her family farm in central Iowa before attending Iowa State University. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in agricultural communications in May. 

Erin Anderson joined the Brownfield Ag staff as an anchor/reporter on April 29.

The Illinois native attended Danville Area Community College to obtain an associate of arts degree. She then transferred to Purdue University and graduated with her bachelor's degree in agricultural communications in May 2024.

Bill Smith, strategic marketing manager for Helena Products Group, is the host of the FieldLink podcast, which was recognized as the Best of National Agri-Marketing Association – Podcasts.

The podcast aims to explore industry topics relevant to farmers and other agricultural audiences.

Melissa Hammer started as a farm broadcaster at Red River Farm Network on May 6.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota Crookston with a bachelor's degree in animal science. Hammer grew up on a farm in central Minnesota and was involved in 4-H and FFA. Her background in agriculture influenced her to pursue higher education.

Owen Roberts, director of agricultural communications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is working with a team to establish the James F. Evans Global Center for Food and Agricultural Communications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Mark Upton is the senior director of agricultural products for Central Life Sciences, and he trains horses in his spare time.

Upton has profit and loss responsibilities for two businesses in his full-time position.

“The first business sells feed additive products that you would give to livestock to prevent flies,” Upton said. “The other business sells products such as sticky traps, scatter baits, and sprays used to kill or prevent flies.”

While he enjoys his day job, Upton pursues a passion that he has had since childhood.

John Herath was promoted to assistant vice president of communications for the U.S. Meat Export Federation on April 1.

He graduated from MacMurray College with his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1992, and he started an impressive career in agricultural communications during his college years.

Lorrie Boyer, farm news director for KSIR Radio, and two other teammates won their division at the CrossFit Festivus Games in April 2024 in Castle Rock, Colorado.

DeLoss Jahnke, senior audio specialist for RFD Radion Network in Illinois, visited Brazil in January 2024 to learn about agricultural practices.

Susan Littlefield, farm director for KRVN and the Rural Radio Network, is celebrating her 30th anniversary of becoming a volunteer firefighter/EMT.