Dave Schumacher (KTRS, St. Louis, MO) says that “One of the more frequently asked questions I run into in my travels is: How did you become a farm broadcaster, and better yet how were you able to remain a farm broadcaster on a major metropolitan radio station for 20 years?” Twenty years ago this April 15, Dave had just left the National Stockyards, where he had been a livestock commission man and one of the cattle auctioneers for many years.

Happy February! We are another month closer to planting season, a very important time for all of our members, viewers and listeners. The NAFB staff has been busy “planting” seeds with farmers, ranchers and agribusiness leaders in January. During National Cattlemen’s Business Association (NCBA) show the staff met with farmers and ranchers promoting all of you. They used the NAFB Planner to help farmers find a local NAFB Station and talked with agribusiness leaders about how NAFB Members and their stations can help promote their businesses!

A big thank you to all the NCBA attendees who stopped by the NAFB booth and told us why they listen or watch to Farm Broadcasting. Farm Broadcasting keeps these producers connected to the industry, global ag markets, weather, commodities and more. Farm radio listeners range from college students, families, ranchers, and business partners. Thank you for listening. 

Snow storm Jonas made national news for its inconvenience to travelers. In fact, NAFB Vice President Tom Cassidy (Ag Radio Network, Barneveld, NY) had to spend an extra day in Platte City, MO, after attending his first NAFB Board meeting. Tom reports, “The storm covered just shy of one-third the U.S. population in 26 states from Maine to Louisiana. Jonas dumped the most snow on the Mid-Atlantic, starting Friday, January 22, leaving behind 20 to 40 inches in areas not accustomed to receiving that much snow in a season, let alone two days.”

Mike Austin (WTAQ-AM/FM & WDEZ, Green Bay, WI), left, was presented the Distinguished Service to Wisconsin Agriculture Award by Jim Holte President of Wisconsin Farm Bureau (WFBF) during the organization’s 96th Annual Meeting December 6. The award is given for outstanding contributions to Wisconsin’s agricultural industry. “Mike has been covering agricultural news and events for more than 30 years both on radio and TV in the Green Bay area. He is the ‘voice of agriculture’,” said WFBF Board Member Rosie Lisowe of Chilton. “His agriculture reports and stories are heard throughout the Green Bay area, and his advocacy for the agriculture industry reaches multiple generations.