After more than 55 years in agricultural journalism, Harry Siemens said receiving the North American Farm Reporting Excellence Award was both humbling and deeply personal.
The longtime Canadian farm broadcaster and freelance journalist said the recognition meant even more because it was inspired by the mentors who helped shape his career.
"It was so meaningful because it came from three people who mentored me throughout my career," Siemens said.
Those mentors included legendary farm broadcasters Orion Samuelson, Max Armstrong and Lynn Ketelsen, who encouraged Siemens throughout his career after he joined NAFB in 1978.
Siemens' path into farm broadcasting began after an unexpected detour. After failing Grade 11, he left school to farm with his father in southern Manitoba before returning to complete his education. It was his father who later encouraged him to apply for a farm broadcaster position at a local radio station.
"Within a month, I was in the studio," Siemens said. "Within eight months of training and working evenings, I became the farm broadcaster."
Early in his career, Siemens developed a philosophy that guided his reporting for decades.
"My father was confused by something I said on the radio during a show one time," Siemens recalled. "Right then and there, I made up my mind if my father cannot understand me, I'm wasting my time."
That commitment to clear communication carried Siemens through a career spanning radio, print journalism and professional speaking. Seeking to improve his craft, he visited veteran broadcaster Maynard Speece, who encouraged him to join NAFB.
"That's what changed my life," Siemens said. “I went to my first National Convention in 1978 and stayed involved in NAFB through district associations and planning a district meeting in North Dakota.”
Throughout his career, Siemens became a familiar voice in Canadian agriculture while building lasting relationships with broadcasters across North America. He also helped strengthen connections between Canadian and U.S. agriculture by sharing the Canadian perspective with American audiences.
Today, Siemens continues writing for several agricultural publications and plans to keep doing so for as long as he is able.
"We need to cultivate that connection," he said. "We're producing food by the same people."
