Airing on the Side of Agriculture

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.

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.”

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.

Paul Winters, director of public affairs and federal communications for Clean Fuels Alliance America, says his position on the Transportation Energy Partners Board, which he joined in October 2024, is a natural.

Winters grew up in San Diego, California, and he graduated from UCLA and the University of California, Davis. He got involved in agriculture through his career.

Steve Noffsinger grew up in Clay Center, Kansas, as the son of a large animal veterinarian. In 2024, he made a career switch from agronomy to farm broadcasting and, most recently, was promoted to farm director at KCLY/KFRM.

Dustin Hoffmann, supervising editor and senior farm broadcaster for Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, has built model railroads since childhood.

“I have been working on model railroads since 1990 when I was 10,” Hoffmann said. “I got my first train set for Christmas that year, and my dad and I built a small layout in my bedroom. I’ve been improving and upgrading ever since.”

Corryn La Rue joined American Ag Network as a farm broadcaster and content specialist on Sep. 30.

Born and raised on the Central Coast of California, La Rue grew up surrounded by agriculture.

“My grandma was raised on a citrus orchard, and my family comes from cattle production,” La Rue said. “I showed various livestock species and was active in 4-H and FFA.”

Susan Moriarty, head of communications and events for Mahindra Ag North America (MAgNA), assisted with planning and executing MAgNA’s 30^th anniversary celebration.

PFEIFFER NAMED PRESIDENT OF HOOSIER AG TODAY – Eric Pfeiffer will become the president of Hoosier Ag Today (HAT) on Jan. 1, 2025.

Pfeiffer started his broadcasting career as a teenager in high school.

“I started doing radio in 2003, but I went full time in 2005 after I graduated high school,” Pfeiffer said. “I was the youngest news director in the history of WSAL and WLHM in Logansport, Indiana.”

Mark Dorenkamp, ag news anchor/reporter at Brownfield Ag News, was named 2024 Minnesota Farm Bureau Ag Communicator of the Year.

Dorenkamp received the award during the organization’s 106th Annual Meeting on Nov. 22 in Minnetonka, MN.