NAFB Blog

Terry James (News and Ag Director, WJBC-AM, Bloomington, IL) describes how his career as a farm broadcaster has evolved during the past 10 years. “In 1996, I began interviewing farmers, 4-H leaders, and emceeing the Friday night 4-H auction at the Mercer County Fair in Aledo, IL. I continued this until I was promoted to Program and Farm Director at WHHK and WGEN in 1999 in Henry County, IL.” 

On February 1, KRVN Radio in Lexington, NE, celebrated its 65th year on-the-air. Joe Gangwish said, “This year's anniversary fell just ahead of a blizzard on the plains where 18 inches of snow fell with 40 to 50 mph winds.

Curt Lancaster (Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network, Waco, TX) began his broadcasting career at age 15 at KPOS-AM, Post, TX). He’s worked at seven radio stations and three radio networks (two of which he launched). Also, he worked at three television stations for voice work and writing and directing their talk shows and newscasts. Curt said, “There is nothing in the broadcasting business I haven’t done. I have been a General Manager, a disc jockey, newsman, writer and producer of radio and TV commercials, video camera operator, TV director, radio consultant, program director, and, yes, janitor.”

Joe Gill (KASM, Albany, MN) said it all began with a comment from my 6-year-old son, Ben, after school one day. He said, "Dad, our class is collecting postcards from all 50 states!" His excitement resulted in a few inquiring questions on Joe’s behalf. The first one was...why? He said this is how their class is going to celebrate 100 days of school. Getting 100 postcards in 100 days, while collecting cards from all 50 states. 

Dave Schumacher (KTRS, St. Louis, MO) says that “One of the more frequently asked questions I run into in my travels is: How did you become a farm broadcaster, and better yet how were you able to remain a farm broadcaster on a major metropolitan radio station for 20 years?” Twenty years ago this April 15, Dave had just left the National Stockyards, where he had been a livestock commission man and one of the cattle auctioneers for many years.