Airing on the Side of Agriculture

The only farmer-and-rancher-owned radio association is expanding its reach. The Nebraska Rural Radio Association (NRRA) has reached an agreement to purchase seven additional radio stations in Nebraska. Legacy Communications has agreed to the deal, which includes six stations in the Scottsbluff market and one station in Holdrege. 

Bill Zortman (KELO/KELQ, Sioux Falls, South Dakota) grew up as a farm kid in Onawa, Iowa, feeding sheep, hogs, and cattle with his family. 

Carey Martin has packed his bags and headed west. On December 2, the long-time Louisiana farm broadcaster started a new phase of life as the general manager and farm broadcaster for the Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network, headquartered in Waco, Texas. 

We invited Russ Parker (J.L.Farmakis, Inc., Lovilia, Iowa) to write his reflections on being chosen to receive the 2019 Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award. 

Shannon Yokley (Brownfield Ag News, Jefferson City, Missouri) was named the 2019 recipient of the NAFB Horizon Award, which honors high-achieving farm broadcasters early in their careers. The Jefferson City native had not realized that her degree in science and agricultural journalism would lead her right back from where she came. 

“Tall Paul” has retired after more than 45 years greeting guests coming to the Westin Crown Center, Kansas City, Missouri. 

Andy Schwab (Northern Ag Network, Billings, Montana) grew up in Powell, Wyoming, on a small farm that produced race horses. He learned to ride horses, hunt, fish, and take pack trips to the backcountry at a very young age. He has yet to lose the passion. Through his high school years at Powell, he competed in sports and FFA, and he started his own farrow-to-finish hog business. He would add many hats to wear after graduation as he jumped right into the work force, oftentimes holding two to three jobs at a time.

Marc Strauss is the host of the Ag Hour on WJBC Radio in Bloomington, Illinois. The show airs weekdays from Noon to 1 p.m. Strauss delivers the latest ag news, commodity reports, and live interviews covering everything from ag tech to segments about McLean County ag history.

Despite working in communications, Kaitlyn Riley’s (WI Farm Report Radio Network, La Crosse, Wisconsin) road to farm broadcasting was better described by the shoes on her feet than with words.

WNAX (Yankton, South Dakota) farm broadcaster Tom Riter was presented the Media Friend Award at the 128th Annual Stockgrowers Convention and Trade Show, October 31-November 1, 2019, in Rapid City, South Dakota.