(When NAFB Hall of Famer Wey Simpson read John Winfield’s career story in the February 2018 issue, he was moved to write the following.) “I was intrigued by John Winfield’s note that he always wanted to be in radio.  That's exactly what I wanted, too.  In the mid-1930s when we were riding into Spokane from our Deer Park, WA, farm I announced to my parents that I wanted to be a radio announcer.

Tony Purcell (Texas State Networks, Dallas, TX) reports, “The 2018 agricultural outlook for Texas is good. There is a lot of potential for Texas Agriculture. With nearby cotton futures over 80 cents on a big crop, and fed cattle cash over $120, this could likely be a turn-around year.” 

“Telling the story of farmers, ranchers and their families is what I love most about farm broadcasting,” said Juli Mauch (KBMW, Wahpeton, WI). “With 18 radio stations in the Dakotas and Minnesota, being a part of the new Ag Central radio network gives me a great opportunity to do just that.”

Hoosier Ag Today announces the addition of Eric Pfeiffer to their experienced farm broadcast staff. “Having Eric on our team will allow us to position HAT to expand its services to farmers, radio affiliates, and sponsors while maintaining our commitment to quality and innovation,” said Gary Truitt, President and founder of Hoosier Ag Today.

“On a cold, damp March day somewhere back in the 1970s, I was trying to break a stubborn 4-H steer to lead. He wanted nothing to do with it. He protested by jerking his head so hard I let go of the halter, lost my footing, and fell face-first into the mud and muck. At that moment, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with livestock anymore. But, I was devoted to 4-H and stuck it out for nine years. I’m glad I did because little did I know my future self was depending on it.”

“It seems I always knew I was going to be in broadcasting,” said John Winfield (Emeritus member, Madison, MS).  “In the fifth grade, my teacher asked us to write a short paper on what we wanted to do when we grew up.  I wrote my paper on being a radio announcer.” 

FOUR NEW BABIES AT BROWNFIELD – Cyndi Young-Puyear (Brownfield Ag News, Jefferson City, MO) announced, “We’ve been blessed with four new babies at Brownfield in the past 13 months.”  Parents are Meghan Grebner, Nicole Heslip and Mark Dorenkamp, who are all Broadcast Council members of NAFB.

Dan Lemke is the newest addition to the Linder Farm Network (Owatonna, MN) staff, reports General Manager Lynn Ketelsen. Dan's duties include on-air broadcasts with Lynn and Linda Brekke in addition to covering major ag events across Minnesota and the nation.

Skip Davis (Emeritus Member, WASK retired, Frankfort, IN) says, “Since October 2016, I've accepted more responsibility.  That was when the Clinton County Commissioners and Council decided to take apart the fair board and appoint a new body focused on reviving the present county fairgrounds.”  Skip made it known he was interested in serving.

Jody Heemstra has returned to broadcasting as News and Farm Director for Dakota Radio Group (Pierre, SD) at KGFX.  She had been a Broadcast Council member from 2006-2015 before she became a communications specialist for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA).