Over the last two years, we have had the opportunity to connect with farm radio listeners and farm TV watchers at several trade shows, and it’s amazing to hear the many reasons they choose to stay connected to the agricultural industry over the airwaves. Radio is an important part of everyone’s lives. 

Michelle Rook (WNAX, Yankton, SD) will be recognized as the 2016 South Dakota Governor’s Ag Ambassador on June 2, at the annual Governor’s Agricultural Summit in Brookings, SD. “Agriculture has a tremendous advocate in Michelle,” said Governor Dennis Daugaard. “She has devoted many years to telling the story of farm and ranch families who work hard to provide a safe, affordable food supply in South Dakota and beyond.”

Pam Fretwell (Farm Journal Broadcasting, Quincy, IL) produces several regular podcasts each week. One is Straight from the Heartland Show, which airs every Tuesday and Thursday, gives a look at current events and subjects important to farmers. Another podcast is Consumer Ag Connection, which airs once a week and is also broadcast on radio stations in seven states.

It’s been one year since Brownfield Ag News expanded its on-the-ground coverage into Michigan and Minnesota. Nicole Heslip and Mark Dorenkamp are the newest Brownfield reporters in those two states. Michigan anchor/reporter Nicole Heslip says the year has been full of change.

Mike Hansen, long time employee of RFD-TV retired effective May 1. Hansen has been in agricultural marketing and communications since 1974, having worked in both radio and television in a variety of roles. For the past 16 years, he has been with the Rural Media Group, first with RFD-TV and continuing when it added RURAL RADIO on SiriusXM Channel 147.