The Red River Farm Network has a redesigned website focused on the original reporting of the RRFN team of agricultural journalists. The updated www.rrfn.com has a clean design and improved functionality. The site features news for farmers, ranchers and agricultural stakeholders. In addition, RRFN news stories can now be easily shared through social media, e-mail and more. “One month into the relaunch and the response is very positive,” said Don Wick, president, Red River Farm Network. “The updated website complements our on-air news, delivering information that impacts the bottom line for our farmers and ranchers.” The responsive website design is user-friendly on a variety of devices including personal computer, tablet or smartphone. In addition, it is easy to find news reports and podcasts with the new mobile version. The site also offers online access to radio stations carrying RRFN programming. For additional information, contact the Red River Farm Network at 701-795-1315 or don@rrfn.com. Digital advertising options are available.

The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF)has announced winners of the 2018 Celebration of Service to America Awards, recognizing outstanding community service by local broadcasters. Winners will be honored at the Celebration of Service to America dinner on June 12 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. “Local broadcasters play a crucial role in informing, supporting and strengthening communities across our country,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “This year’s winners represent the ethos of broadcasting and the industry’s unwavering commitment to public service. We look forward to honoring these outstanding stations in the nation’s capital.”

Rita Frazer (RFD Radio Network, Bloomington, IL) said, “As I prepare to celebrate my 50^th birthday, I am honored to have the opportunity to share a few highlights from the RFD Radio Network’s (RFDRN) 50^th anniversary celebration.” She explains, “The celebration included special features in our monthly newsletter that shared stories about the broadcasters that built the network. Farm broadcasters like Dick Helton and Art Sechrest broke in the microphones at the network, making way for farm voices like Max Armstrong. Armstrong grew up on an Indiana farm before heading to Purdue University. While in college he started his radio career working part-time at WASK (Lafayette, IN), WRAY (Princeton, IN), and WVMC (Mount Carmel, IL).

“During the past two years, the border between Oklahoma and Kansas has burned uncontrollably in the spring,” reports Ron Hays (Radio Oklahoma Network, Oklahoma City, OK). Two years ago, it was the Anderson Creek fires where a few cattle were lost, but several thousand acres burned, and control was slow in coming.  Last year, a fire that started in Beaver County in the Oklahoma Panhandle spread eastward just south of the Kansas Line and then into Clark County, KS, where a huge percentage of the county was scorched.  “Last March, we did extensive coverage on our radio network, on our website and in our daily email. Between the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s and Kansas Livestock Foundations, several farm broadcasters were key voices in helping get the word out and helping raise several million dollars for those ranchers.”

A lifelong passion for agriculture has brought a Missouri native farm broadcaster to Kansas. Sara Miles joins the Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio team as the Farm Director. Sacha Sanguinetti, General Manager and Vice President of Radio for Rocking M Media, said, “We are constantly looking for new and better ways to pass along the vital information producers need. Sara is an innovative, self-driven, natural-born leader who brings a fresh approach to  ag media.” She grew up on a family farm in northeast Missouri which spans five generations where she developed a passion for agriculture