The Linder Farm Network began in 1976 with four Linder family-owned radio stations in Minnesota. Network Farm Director Lynn Ketelsen came in from KMA (Shenandoah, IA) radio to establish the initial farm programming and set up the network. Linda Brekke has been with the network for 16 years, and Jeff Stewart has been there for 18 years. “We are one of the few farm networks in the country to feature two 30-minute farm programs to run on our affiliates, which gives us the opportunity to broadcast on-location from major ag events live- on-the-air, and the time to devote to in-depth interviews and analysis.” The Linder Farm Network currently is on 30 radio stations across Minnesota, and is the top-rated radio network in Minnesota. Lynn has earned national agricultural communicator awards from National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Agricultural Marketing Association, and Mid-America Dairymen. Also, he was named Farm Broadcaster of the Year in 2005 by NAFB. He served as NAFB National President in 1990, and he had a day commemorated in his name by the Governor of Minnesota. In addition to his duties with the Linder Farm Network, Lynn is a regular contributor to This Week in Agribusiness with Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong, and the RFD Evening News with Mark Oppold. Also, he is Farm Director for KEYC-TV (Mankato, MN).  

Growing up on a south central Minnesota farm, Linda Brekke worked at stations in Albert Lea and Redwood Falls, MN, before joining Linder Network. Coming out of winter, she reports that Minnesota State Department of Natural Resources Climatologist Pete Boulay says most of Minnesota remains in the moderate drought category, except for southeast Minnesota. This is due to a long-term moisture deficit that goes back to October. Areas in south central and southeastern Minnesota received from 5 to 10 inches of snow March 22-23, which will help replenish the soil before spring planting, she said.  Linda also reports that Minnesota now has three confirmed cases of H5N2 avian influenza. USDA confirmed detection of the disease on a turkey farm in Lac Qui Parle County and on a turkey farm in Stearns County. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Executive Director Steve Olson spoke with Linder Farm Network about the influenza and said the Minnesota Board of Animal Health is conducting an investigation on each case, and there is no linkage in equipment going back and forth between the three case farms or business ownership. There are a lot of miles between each farm, which leads them to believe the cause is from migration of wild birds up the Mississippi Flyway. He stressed this is not a food safety concern. The first case was in early March in Pope County. Also this week, the network is featuring comments from “Machinery Pete,” Greg Peterson. He notes interesting changes in used farm equipment sales. He is starting to see the large, newer-used equipment experience more pressure, and the nice-condition smaller or older equipment is holding strong.   

Jeff Stewart has been in farm broadcasting for 32 years, spending time in New York and South Dakota before joining Linder Farm Network. Jeff is regional marketing specialist for the network, but he continues to do interviews from meetings and events around the country.