Dix Harper was a prominent farm broadcaster who began his career in 1946 after graduating from Iowa State University. He started his broadcasting career as farm director at WIOU in Kokomo, IN. After serving as farm news director at WLS Radio in Chicago, he answered the need of farm broadcasters for national advertising support by working with three different advertising agencies, becoming vice president of two of them. He later became publisher and manager of a publisher of agricultural magazines in the Southeast.
Harper was an integral part of NAFB for 65 years of the association’s first 69 years, serving as both a broadcaster and Allied Industry member. In 1959, he received the Meritorious Service Award. He also served as the association’s president in 1988, the same year he was inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame.
The Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award is presented to an Allied Industry Council or Management & Sales Council member who has demonstrated exemplary and committed service to farm broadcasting, NAFB and the agriculture industry.
The winners are announced each year during the Night of Honors banquet at the NAFB Convention in November.