Airing on the Side of Agriculture

The road to farm broadcasting was full of twists and turns for Scott Colombe (Alpha Media-Redwood Falls, Redwood Falls, MN). Scott started his broadcast career as a senior in high school, but he didn’t decide to pursue broadcasting until after he inquired about a part-time board operator position with Little Falls Radio Corporation (LFRC) in Little Falls, MN

Raised in Janesville, WI, Craig Dillion graduated from Janesville Parker High School in 1999 followed by University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2003. He interned in Madison at WIBA/WTSO-AM until being hired as production director at WCUB (Manitowoc, WI).  After working mostly in production and doing part-time voice tracking and on-air work, he then graduated to the Farm Director position two years ago.

Growing up in Little Rock, AR, Chuck Martin harbored a single ambition: to become a broadcast journalist. While pursuing his undergraduate degree in history at the University of Arkansas, Chuck began to hone his skills at the campus radio station, KUAF-FM. Upon graduating, he went to work in the news department at KXXA-FM (Little Rock, AR). From there, he was lured across town to KARN-AM and the Arkansas Radio Network. In 1983, Chuck returned to northwest Arkansas to become an anchor and reporter at KHOG-TV, the ABC affiliate. After a brief stint as the news director of NBC affiliate KFAA-TV, Chuck returned to KHOG where he spearheaded the coverage of then-Governor Bill Clinton’s presidential run, ultimately going to Washington, DC, as lead reporter for the presidential inauguration.

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.