RFA Ethanol Podcast

NAFB Hall of Fame and Meritorious Service

Cindy Zimmerman

nafb14-farmakisThe National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) bestowed honors on many deserving individuals during the convention’s Night of Honors Banquet.

Longtime NAFB member and radio advocate Bill Farmakis was awarded the Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award last night during the Night of Honors Celebration. The Award recognizes outstanding support and leadership to the broadcasting industry and association by a member of the Management & Sales Council or the Allied Industry Council. Bill speaks loudly and proudly to advertisers and agencies emphasizing the importance of placing agriculture commercials within agriculture programming. Bill works tirelessly behind the scenes to enhance the profile for farm broadcasting and serves as President of J.L. Farmakis, Inc, and is a 20-year member of NAFB.

nafb14-hof-root2014 Hall of Fame Inductee Ken Root was born into an Oklahoma farm family. His career spans more than four decades, including teaching, radio, television, corporate communications and association management. Ken taught for two years at Union City High School in Union City, Oklahoma before moving into radio and television with his mentor, Russell Pierson. From radio and TV he moved to corporate communications and then from there, Ken started his own business, Root Environmental Services and Root Communications. In 1994 Ken became host of AgriTalk. Ken served the NAFB as executive director from 2002-2005. He, and partners, started the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network. He also became the National Farm Broadcaster for WGFA Radio in Watseka, Illinois.

nafb14-hof-royceThe second Hall of Fame recipient is Royce Lee Bodiford who hails from Texas. He married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Hayes while serving as the National FFA Southern Regional Vice President. Royce graduated from West Texas State University with a B.S. in agriculture, while working at KGNC Radio/TV in Amarillo, Texas. In 1977, Royce was named General Manager at KGNC and strongly supported farm broadcasting and NAFB. In the 1990’s Royce moved to public broadcasting and became General Manager of KOCV-TV/Radio at Odessa College in Odessa, Texas. Currently Royce serves as Vice President of the Odessa College Board of Trustees. The NAFB played an important role in Royce’s career as well.

Photos from the Night of Honors and the convention can be found here:
2014 NAFB Convention Photos

Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by
Coverage of NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF
Ag Groups, NAFB