Howard Hale (KSIR, Minatare, NE) and Emily Pile are two western Nebraska residents who were recognized by The University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center for their decades of service to agriculture and Extension. The Service to Panhandle Agriculture Award was presented to Howard Hale and The Service to Panhandle Extension Award was presented to Elaine Pile of Gering, NE. Howard embarked on a career in broadcasting three decades ago and still broadcasts ag news to the Panhandle as well as radio audiences from the Texas Panhandle to Montana. Two decades of announcing at fair livestock shows also have made him a familiar voice for local 4-H families. Over the past 15 years, Emily has been a tireless volunteer, leader and advocate for Extension at the local, state and national levels, on top of a 36-year career in banking in western Nebraska. Both are natives of the Panhandle who were raised around agriculture and have long careers that have kept them in contact with local ag sectors, as well as 4-H and Extension.
“Howard has always been willing to promote Extension meetings, field days, workshops and other events,” according to Jim Schild, longtime Extension educator and associate director of the Panhandle Center. “Extension personnel had an open invitation to come into the studio and record informational and promotional pieces.” He called Howard a true reporter who attended and covered countless events. “He has always been friendly and positive about what we’re doing here at the Center.”
Howard was born in Scottsbluff, NE, and raised on a farm and sheep- and cattle-feeding operation, graduating from Scottsbluff High School. He received an associate degree from Scottsbluff College (now WNCC) and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder until joining the Army Reserve. After active duty in the Reserve, he returned to farming, feeding cattle and raising sheep. Hale went into broadcasting in 1985, becoming Farm Director at KOLT. He later worked as a farm broadcaster for Tracy Broadcasting and at KNEB. In 1994, he went out on his own with Hale Broadcasting. He currently produces and airs three feature programs: The Harvest USA Report, The Cattleman's Corner and The Horseman's Corner. Fifteen stations carry a least some of the programs, from the Texas Panhandle to northern North Dakota and over into central Montana. The Harvest USA Report is carried locally on KNEB. From May 2014 through April 2015 Howard filled in as the farm director at KNEB as a replacement for Leslie Smith until the current director, Jeanna Boland, started. Two years ago, Howard was inducted into the U.S. Custom Harvesters Hall of fame. He has been a member of NAFB for 30 years.
