NAFB Blog

Von Ketelsen (KCIM-KKRL-KIKD Radio, Carroll, IA) has spent his career in farm broadcasting and has seen many changes in agriculture and ways to better communicate its story. Von has several Facebook pages, which he constantly updates with farm information, as well as photos from events he covers.

Mike Austin (WTAQ-AM/FM and WDEZ, Green Bay, WI) shared this story about how agriculture and a thankful boy generated help for sick children. Mike begins, “At this year’s Kewaunee County Fair sale, the buyers were very generous in opening up their wallets with prices sometimes reserved only for state fair bidding, as one youth received over $9 a pound for her steer, another boy received more than $17 a pound for his hog, and one lamb brought $30 a pound.” Mike added, “The junior livestock auction at the county fair is always a special event as area agribusinesses and associations pay well above market value to help support and reward youth for their quality livestock project animals.

KICD Radio (Spencer, IA) is celebrating 50 years of service and entertainment this year. The station was one of the first AM signals in northwest Iowa in 1942 and KICD-FM was one of the first FM signals in 1966. Because of that heritage, both stations have a strong regional listenership in nine northwest Iowa counties and three in southwest Minnesota.

Dave Niedfeldt (KWBE-AM, Beatrice, NE) joined the staff in August 1987, and was named Farm Director in 1988, to cover agricultural news on the local, state and national level. A member of NAFB for 13 years, he has received numerous awards and honors from The Nebraska Associated Press Broadcasters, Great Plains Broadcast Association, the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, and the Nebraska Dairy Association.

After serving 18 years with KZEN (Columbus, NE), Susan Littlefield joined KRVN Rural Radio Network in Nebraska on August 30, working through their York, NE, office and her home office. In this position, she will continue to serve many of her longtime listeners.