NAFB Blog

Editor’s Note: Article first appeared in Drovers

By Al Gustin
2012 NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year

In his monthly Farm ByLine column for North Dakota Living, 2012 NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year Al Gustin writes about the importance of AM Radio in reaching farmers and rural audiences. Reposted with permission from the publisher.

ELLIS REJOINS WCIA STAFF – Stu Ellis, farm broadcaster, rejoined the staff at WCIA after a two-year gap.

Ellis grew up watching Channel 3 in central Illinois, but no farm broadcaster was on staff. He started out doing a short farm program each morning.

“The station had some public relations challenges, and the new manager came to me,” Ellis said. “I got to start doing a show on the weekends, and I was delighted to do that. We got the station back on firm footing.”

Amy Bradford, founder and CEO of Bradford Consultant Group, recently received her professional coaching certification to further her career.

She started working in the agricultural communications industry in the 1980s.

“I started on the print side and worked for Illinois Farm Bureau,” Bradford said. “I was responsible for writing press releases and working with media to convey priority messages.”

After that, Bradford expanded into broadcast journalism.

Jennifer Warren started as senior director of policy communications for Caprock Strategies in December 2024, and is looking forward to her new role of consulting clients.

Warren most recently was with the National Sorghum Producers and is no stranger to agriculture. She grew up in New Mexico on a diversified agricultural operation.