Station Manager and Farm Broadcaster

Jared White (WHOW/WEZC, Clinton, IL) serves as Station Manager of WHOW and WEZC as well as farm broadcaster for the Miller Media Group radio stations in Clinton and Taylorville, IL. Jared has been in the farm broadcasting position since May 2010 and has been an NAFB member since then. Also, he has periodically supplied reports for the RFD Illinois Radio Network.

Originally from Sullivan, IL, Jared currently lives in Clinton, IL, with his wife, three sons, and three stepchildren.  He graduated with an associate degree in Radio/TV Broadcasting from Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL. He worked for the Miller Media Group in Taylorville and Shelbyville, IL, as a News Director and Morning Show host from 1999 to 2002, and he worked for the Radio Group in LaSalle-Peru, IL, as an afternoon country music host and sports director from 2002 to 2007. From 2007 to present, he has worked for the Miller Media Group in Clinton, IL.  Jared was awarded the Excellence in Media Award from the Illinois Corn Growers Association in 2012 and was presented the Service to Illinois Agriculture Award by Farm Credit Illinois in 2014. In his current position, he produces two 15-minute local farm shows a day for WHOW and WTIM.  “Between the two signals, our coverage area is most of central Illinois,” Jared said. “I try to feature interviews with everyone from farm leaders, researchers, market experts, and agronomists to all sizes of producers –  whether it’s someone farming 10,000 acres or an organic produce grower with a few acres selling at the local farmer’s market. My hope is the program is a place where farmers can get information they can use to be more successful as well as where consumers can be better connected to where their food comes from.” Jared explains, “I suppose that’s where the outcue of my show came from: “Remember, if you eat, then you, too, are involved in agriculture.”

Jared enjoys his farm broadcasting role, but he admits that perhaps his favorite activity is their annual Combine Reports each fall. “We’ve been doing them for several years now, and without a doubt they garner more comments and response than anything else we’ve done. I’ve had the pleasure of riding in combines interviewing farmers in at least 25 Illinois counties, and I can’t wait to add more!” Jared loves his role as farm broadcaster for the Miller Media Group. “I have learned that agriculture is always a work in progress, and there is always something new and innovating being discovered. Also, it gives me the chance to speak to consumers so they realize where their food comes from, and what it takes to bring it to the table. Plus, who wouldn't love a position where you get to surround yourself with some of the hardest working people in the nation?” Jared concludes, “My role in farm broadcasting has been a learn- as-you-go affair. I didn’t grow up on a farm, or have much direct exposure to agriculture growing up. Before taking the role, I had just a basic knowledge of agriculture. It’s been rewarding to be able to learn about everything from agronomics to marketing. From early on, I discovered that each farming operation does things a little differently from the next. Part of what I try to do with my program is find out what that is, and share that with the audience.”