For Jim Taylor, a network anchor for the RFD Radio Network, telling the story of Illinois agriculture isn’t just a job—it’s a calling that has earned him some of the industry’s highest honors.
Taylor, who broadcasts daily on RFD Today, was recently recognized with the Excellence in Media Award from the Illinois Corn Growers Association and was presented with an Honorary State FFA Degree. These recognitions underscore a career devoted to covering the people and organizations who grow food and strengthen rural communities.
“It’s always great to be recognized by the industry,” Taylor said. “To tell the story of farming in Illinois and specifically telling the story of corn production is pretty important, especially in a state like Illinois. To be recognized by a group that works on behalf of Illinois corn growers—it means a tremendous amount to me.”
Taylor grew up in western Illinois. After earning an associate degree at Black Hawk College in Moline, he completed his bachelor’s degree in mass communications at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1990.
His first job in broadcasting was with WRMJ Radio in Aledo, Illinois, where he “basically did everything—news, sports, ag.” That early experience planted the seeds for a lifelong connection to agriculture.
Even as his career evolved, Taylor remained rooted in his local community.
“I have a relationship with them because I live in Aledo still,” he said. “I still broadcast a lot of high school sports throughout Illinois.”
Later, he began working with the RFD Radio Network, first as an independent contractor covering overnight commodity markets. Over time, his role grew to half-time, and then to full-time employment with the Illinois Farm Bureau.
In his current role, Taylor connects with agricultural groups statewide, including the Illinois Corn Growers Association.
“We cover corn production in Illinois,” he explained. “That includes interviewing local farmers, the board, and the administration of the Illinois Corn Growers Association—just covering the beat.”
The recognition he received from Illinois Corn Growers was soon followed by the Honorary State FFA Degree, presented at the Illinois FFA State Convention in Springfield. For Taylor, this honor carried special meaning.
“This award really is an award that means—it means so much to me because I was not a traditional FFA kid growing up,” he said. “I went to a metro high school in the Quad Cities and did not have an FFA program when I grew up in the 1980s. So, I learned about ag education and FFA through interviewing kids and advisors.”
His work has taken him to the Illinois State FFA Convention and even the National FFA Convention, where he’s captured countless stories of youth leadership and agricultural learning.
“There are over 40,000 members in Illinois, and there are such strong traditions to cover,” he said.
Receiving the honorary degree was a full-circle moment.
“When I received the honorary state degree, that meant so much,” he reflected. “It had such a tremendous impact on me because I wasn’t a traditional FFA kid growing up, so to get that recognition in my adult life—I thought it was a really cool moment.”
He described the award ceremony as an unforgettable experience.
“The ceremony is pretty cool on the stage during the state FFA Convention because everybody’s there in Springfield,” he said. “It was pretty impressive to see all those kids converging on the state capital.”
For Taylor, the honors are not just about personal recognition, but about the value of storytelling itself.
“Storytelling’s important to me,” he said. "Being appreciative of the recognition, I think it’s important to be recognized by those groups. Just to be nominated is so cool, somebody speaking on your behalf saying, ‘Hey, this person deserves this recognition for doing a job they love doing.’ That’s pretty cool, I think.”
Taylor’s dedication is clear every time he goes on the air. Whether it’s daily commodity reports, interviews with producers, or stories of the next generation of agricultural leaders, his voice continues to connect Illinois communities with the stories that matter most.
