Airing on the Side of Agriculture

The newest addition to the AgNet West (Fresno, CA) team is Taylor Hillman, who is Assistant Farm News Director. Hillman is a news professional from Clovis, CA, where he was an award-winning technical director and assignment manager for the area CBS affiliate. 

Michigan Farm Radio Network broadcaster, Nicole (Schaendorf) Heslip was featured in the March issue of Michigan Farmer  as part of their Women in Agriculture series. She was the youngest to be featured. Nicole graduated with a degree in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications at Michigan State University (MSU) in 2010.

A tornado touched down last Sunday night, April 27, in north Central Arkansas. Gary DiGiuseppe (Arkansas Radio Network, Little Rock, AR) said, “Among the hardest hit communities were Vilonia and Mayflower in Faulkner County, north of Little Rock. The county recorded 10 fatalities.

FORMER FARM BROADCASTER JOINS OSBORN BARR AS PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR…The Osborn Barr mission is to be agriculture and rural America’s greatest advocate, but today, there is a growing societal pressure facing agriculture. One way Osborn Barr (O+B) is growing is by adding Josh St.Peters, an award-winning broadcaster, strategist and communicator, as its director of public relations.

FINDING NEW VOICES FOR TELLING THE AGRICULTURE STORY…is a key benefit of the NAFB Foundation’s scholarship and internship programs. Bill Holst (WNAX, Yankton, SD), Chair of NAFB’s Marketing & Promotion Advisory Board, said, “Personally, I feel a real calling to help bright young people realize there is truly an exciting future in our industry.” He believes that leaders at all levels need to mentor their replacements and continually change, while staying true to their morals and personal missions.

RON HAYS (Radio Oklahoma Network, Oklahoma City, OK) interviews Michele Murray, NCBA Director of Consumer Marketing, during the Texoma Cattlemen’s Conference, February 27, in Ardmore, OK.  Ron was emcee for the day-long event, sponsored by the Noble Foundation.

Through the generous support of DuPont Pioneer, the NAFB Foundation is offering 10 NAFB stations and networks the opportunity to begin or build on an internship program with a $1,000 grant. Each grant awarded helps cover the expense of an intern seeking “on the job” experience in agricultural broadcasting. Internships give a new generation an opportunity to sample an industry to see if it is compatible with their goals. 

Max Armstrong (Farm Progress Companies, St. Charles, IL), left, and Lynn Ketelsen (Linder Farm Network, Owatonna, MN) and his wife, Mary, attended and covered the Ag Day dinner at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Patio, where Orion Samuelson (WGN, Chicago, IL) served as the program emcee.

On January 1, Lorrie Boyer returned as Farm Director and Morning Show host to Farm Radio 1010 KSIR (Fort Morgan, CO).  Lorrie may be “new” to her “old” position, but she is no stranger to radio and farm broadcasting. She started her career in 1998 at KLMR (Lamar, CO), and she spent four years there serving as Farm Director and mid-day radio show hos t for the country music station.

These photos were taken on Ag Day (March 26) at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City. Sam Knipp interviews 2014 Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year Lisa Storm. She teaches 3rd grade at Heritage Elementary in Kingfisher, OK.