KRVN Farm Director Steve White has been named the 2025 recipient of the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation’s Lifetime Friend of the Fair Award, a prestigious honor recognizing his decades-long dedication to agriculture and the Nebraska State Fair.
Often referred to as “Mr. State Fair,” White was celebrated for his passionate storytelling and tireless promotion of the fair, its people, and its mission. The award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond to support and elevate the fair over many years.
“He has one of those voices you instantly recognize – always positive, always enthusiastic,” said Lindsey Koepke, Director of the 1868 Foundation.
White has covered nearly every corner of the Nebraska State Fair for decades. First in Lincoln, and then following its move to Grand Island. From celebrity cattle shows to food contests, his presence has become a familiar and welcome part of fair tradition.
Beyond his reporting, White has taken an active role in the fair community. He’s competed in events, educated audiences on agriculture through his coverage, and helped shine a spotlight on Nebraska’s farming and ranching heritage.
His work, both on-air and behind the scenes, has helped bridge the gap between rural and urban Nebraska, teaching generations about the importance of agriculture in the state.
“We’re so proud of him for all of those great years, talking about agriculture and teaching people about agriculture,” Koepke said. “(With his) move to KRVN, he is making that leap and continuing to stay in the industry.
“I know, in my heart of hearts, that he will always be a lifetime supporter of the Nebraska State Fair.”
The Lifetime Friend of the Fair Award is presented annually by the 1868 Foundation, the nonprofit organization supporting the Nebraska State Fair.
White joins a distinguished list of past recipients who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing the fair’s mission and legacy.
