“After almost 37 years with John Deere, I decided to take retirement and move to the next chapter in my life,” said Barry Nelson. “I consider myself very blessed and very fortunate to have had a great career with a great company. I also have had the tremendous opportunity to make great friends outside of Deere, in the industry, the media, and with farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

Orion Samuelson and his wife, Gloria, rode in the local parade as Grand Marshal on the final day of the festival. On New Year’s Day 2017, Orion will be alongside the Rose Parade route to co-host with Pam Minick RFD-TV’s live coverage of the parade on January 1.

Andrew McCrea (Farm Journal Media, Maysville, MO) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his program, American Countryside, this year. What started as a once-a-week program became a daily syndicated show in 2000. He estimates there have been approximately 4,500 broadcast features in that time. Every interview is done on-location. “We have done interviews from all 50 states and six continents,” Andrew said.

Larry Lee (Wisconsin Reporter/Anchor, Brownfield Ag News) said, “My career in broadcasting has been a series of unexpected events. Sometimes, things happen in life where you know God is driving, and we’re just along for the ride. That sums up my radio career.” He was approached by a high school classmate to join him at Brown Institute in Minneapolis after graduation in 1980. 

Rhonda Garrison (Southern Farm Network, Raleigh, NC) talked with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Preparedness team and offers an update on effects of Hurricane Matthew on North Carolina farmers and ranchers. The cotton crop was reduced by 30 percent, about the same amount as last year after Tropical Storm Joaquin, which lingered and produced 12 straight days of rain.