Airing on the Side of Agriculture

54 years and counting is the latest benchmark for Orion Samuelson, reports his longtime colleague, Max Armstrong. “As I continue with him on the Saturday Morning Show broadcast (the hour-long weekly show on WGN Radio), I have been heard on WGN every week for nearly 37 years,” Max reports. “Every few weeks, when Orion is in Arizona, I originate that entire hour from my home studio south of Raleigh, where Linda and I bought a horse farm this year.”

Business and families can be a toxic mix especially for husband and wife partners who find it nearly impossible to separate business from their personal lives, but Susan Allen, co-owner with husband, Kelly, of the Ag Information Network points out, “Farmers and ranchers have been successful family business owners for generations.” She considers their company, Ag Information Network, much like a working cattle ranch with each family member contributing in areas they are gifted. 

​WOWO-AM (Fort Wayne, IN) was named Medium Market Radio Station of the Year at the 2014 National Association of Broadcasters’ (NAB) Marconi Radio Awards ceremony in Indianapolis. 

For the past seven years, the Red River Farm Network (RRFN) has hosted a series of seminars from its tent at the Big Iron Farm Show, West Fargo, ND, reports Don Wick. In addition to daily market outlook seminars, there were discussions on farm bill implementation, the weather outlook and the use of drone technology in agriculture. RRFN also hosted a fundraiser for the North Dakota and Minnesota FFA Foundations during the show. 

Mike Murphy (KSUM/KFMC, Fairmont, MN) offers his reflections about a 50-year career in broadcasting. “My first day on the radio, New Year’s Day 1964, found me trying my best to stay composed, push all the right buttons, and say all the right things at the appropriate time.” His first day evolved into many days, now numbering 50 years full of “seat-of-the-pants decisions,” “rip and read” and “play the songs.” Even though each day was more of the same, Mike described his radio experience as “never dull” and “never boring.” Seeing it as fun, he observed, “Can’t believe I get paid to do this!”

Allen Humphries participated in the NAFB Intern Program during the month of July and early August. “Allen spent the summer learning about the Morning Ag Report and the WKDZ Country Club,” says Alan Watts (WKDZ/WHVO, Cadiz, KY). “He covered a number of events such as the Trigg County Farm Tour, the University of Kentucky Corn, Soybean and Tobacco Field Day at the Research and Education Center in Princeton and other events.” 

David and Brandon produce seven minutes of agricultural news content daily, and present it to an audience of both rural and urban watchers not only in the Des Moines area, but also in the Cedar Rapids market. “This means our show is watched by about two-thirds of the state.”

Rick Haines (Independent Ag Network, Twin Falls, ID) observed, “Most people vacation with room service, but at my camp, horse and cow work is always a welcome diversion!”  In an email from Rick in late July, he said, “I spent the last five days on the Montana side of the Idaho border outside Yellowstone Park in wolf and grizzly country working cattle with Sitz Angus (prominent producers).  

Pat Morrow, communications manager at BASF Corporation, has been appointed to an assignment as senior communications manager, BASF Japan. In this role, she will lead communications for the agricultural division of BASF in Japan including branding, marketing communications, and public relations. 

PLATTE CITY, Missouri (September 15, 2014) – Kim Holland has joined the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) as the Events & Service Manager. She comes to the NAFB from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Westin and Sheraton Hotels, Crown Center, where she most recently served as a Meeting and Event Manager. Kim is no stranger to the NAFB, and the annual convention, held at the Westin every November. During the course of her 18 years at the Westin Crown Center, Kim has been involved at various different levels with planning and implementation of the NAFB convention.