Category Archives: NAFB

Meet the New NAFB Officer Team

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The National Association of Farm Broadcasting has a new slate of officers for the 2012 year.

They are (pictured left to right): President-Elect Mark Oppold, RFD-TV; President Tom Steever, Brownfield AgNews; and vice president Janet Adkison of KMZU Radio, Carrolton, MO.

Also elected to positions on the NAFB board for 2012 were: Lisa Adams, Sage Virtual Communications, as Allied Industry Council representative; Kyle Bauer of KFRM/Kansas as Southern region VP; Chase Adams of KBHB/South Dakota as Western region VP; Brian Winnekins of COW 97 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin as Western region director; and Jason Vance of Farm Progress Companies as Southern region director. Eastern region officers remain the same – Meghan Grebner of Brownfield as VP and Gale Cunningham of WYXY-FM/Illinois as director.

Lots of photos in the Flickr album – check it out!

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

NAFB Foundation Auction Raises $10,000

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Put another $10,000 in the pot for the future of farm broadcasting from the annual NAFB Foundation Auction on Thursday night.

Pictured are at least part of the gang of guys who conspired to beat out the NAFB girls team for the Lake of the Ozarks weekend donated for the third year by Al Johnson and Sara Wyant of Agri-Pulse. The weekend had been a two year tradition for the girls, but the boys raised the stakes this year and thus raised more money for the foundation.

The boys are smug now, but just wait – we don’t waste time being bitter, revenge is a dish best served cold.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

Farm Broadcaster of the Year and Horizon Awards

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The coveted Horizon and Farm Broadcaster of the Year awards were presented on Friday afternoon at the NAFB annual meeting in Kansas City.

The 2011 Horizon Award winner is Julie Root of RFD Radio in Illinois. Julie has been farm broadcasting for a grand total of two years and has already proven to be a great talent for the industry.

And the 2011 Farm Broadcaster of the Year is Greg Akagi – our immediate NAFB past president and 18 year farm broadcast veteran with WIBW/Kansas Ag Network.

Congratulations to both!

The photo album now has close to 600 photos in it – be sure to check it out! All photos can be easily downloaded with just a couple of clicks.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

AgLeader is New NAFB Sponsor

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Some companies have been sponsors and Trade Talk exhibitors at the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention for years – even decades! – but this year was the first for AgLeader Technology, one of the nation’s leading precision farming technology innovators.

AgLeader’s Katie Monroe (center) says they were thrilled to join the companies and organizations who support the NAFB. “It’s a great opportunity to talk about our new products and how precision farming can help growers,” Katie said, noting that one of their main topics was AgLeader’s new Versa display which includes all of the most popular year-round precision tools in one small package.

AgLeader Technology also joined with Alltech to sponsor the NAFB Foundation Auction reception on Thursday night.

Listen to by interview with Katie here: Katie Monroe with AgLeader

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

New NAFB Hall of Famers

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A former U.S. Senator and the first woman president of NAFB are the newest members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Senator Conrad Burns of Montana founded the Northern Ag Network in the 1970s before getting into politics. He was only the second Republican ever elected from the state of Montana, serving for 18 years in the Senate.

The lovely Colleen Callahan, whose married name is actually Burns (no relation to Conrad), becomes the first woman to be inducted in the NAFB Hall of Fame. She was the first female NAFB president and currently serves as Illinois State Director for USDA Rural Development.

I videoed Conrad’s comments after receiving his award and stripped off the audio. Not the best quality, but I am glad I caught it. Some great comments here. Conrad Burns at NAFB

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

NAFB Night of Honors

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The star-studded NAFB Night of Honors paid tribute Thursday night to several who represent excellence in farm broadcasting.

The Dix Harper Meritorious Service Award was presented to the recently retired John Vasicheck of Red River Farm Network, who has been a member of NAFB since 1994 and has had not one, not two – but THREE NAFB past presidents on staff at RRFN.

The New Holland Oscar in Agriculture was presented to Tony Purcell, Agri-Business Director for Texas State Networks. This is the 4th time Tony has won the Oscar in his 45 year career.

The Herb Plambeck Awards for Creative Excellence were presented to Bayer CropScience and agency BBDO for the Poncho/VOTiVO corn seed treatment spot, while the United Soybean Board and Osborn&Barr received the best series award for the “Beyond the Elevator” campaign.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

New Holland Announces Discount/Contribution Initiative

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The New Holland Boomer Tractor that has put in time at Jay Leno’s Garage is now going to the auction block to raise funds for a good cause. Nicknamed “Lil Tug,” by the crew at Jay’s Garage, the tractor made an appearance at the NAFB Convention before starting a tour that ends at auction in January. At the same time, New Holland announced a discount/contribution initiative to coincide with the fundraising effort with the tractor auction. Pictured is Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America, with Lil Tug.

New Holland and Jay Leno have spearheaded the program that will see the ‘Lil Tug auctioned for charity at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 21, 2012.

Proceeds from the tractor auction will go to the Fisher House Foundation, best known for its network of comfort homes built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment. The Foundation also ensures that families of service men and women wounded in Iraq or Afghanistan are not burdened with unnecessary expense during a time of crisis.

In grateful recognition of the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces and their families, New Holland Agriculture announced today that effective on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 and continuing through January 21, 2012, it will offer U.S veterans and military personnel a $300 discount on the purchase of New Holland Boomer™ compact tractor models 30, 35, 40 and 50 purchased in North America. New Holland will also donate $100 to the Fisher House Foundation for every Boomer compact tractor sold in North America during the discount period.

“This discount and contribution program will further enhance the charitable efforts accomplished by the Fisher House Foundation,” said Abe Hughes, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for New Holland Agricultural Business in North America. “Agriculture has always been one of the backbones of America and it is very fitting that our industry steps forward once again to contribute to not only the courageous members of the Armed Forces, but also to a great role being taken by the Fisher House Foundation.”

I spoke with Abe during the NAFB convention. You can hear more about the programs in our interview: Interview with Abe Hughes

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

Secretary Vilsack Visits NAFB

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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack once again paid a visit to the nation’s farm broadcasters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting in Kansas City where he commmented on a number of issues important to farmers and ranchers.

The secretary led with USDA’s announcement today on record growth of U.S. agricultural exports in 2011. “I’m pleased to report that we reached a record amount of $137.4 billion of agricultural exports,” Vilsack said. “This is $22.5 billion higher than the export number last year and testimony to the extraordinary productivity, quality and affordability of what American farmers and ranchers are producing, growing and raising.” He noted that agriculture supports 1.15 million jobs in the economy – 1 out of every 12 jobs in the country are connected to agriculture.

Other topics Vilsack addressed included trade, government regulation, rural development, Farm Bill, cutting the deficit, GIPSA and more.

Listen to or download the secretary’s comments here: Tom Vilsack at NAFB

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

NAFB Foundation Awards Scholarships

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Three aspiring agricultural communicators were awarded scholarships Wednesday from the NAFB Foundation to continue their education.

One of the three was unable to attend the Foundation awards luncheon. He is Nathan Vickers, a graduate student at Columbia University in New York. Nathan is from a southwest Missouri farm family and received his undergraduate degree from Truman State University in Kirksville before heading to the Empire State to continue his education and he now has another $4000 to help with those expenses.

Texas Tech University junior Lauren Bogle (pictured here on the right) is the other $4000 NAFB scholarship winner. Lauren grew up on a crop and livestock operation in New Mexico and is majoring in Agricultural Communications.

Carah Hart (left) is this year’s recipient of the Glenn Kummerow Memorial Scholarship of $5000. Carah is a junior at the University of Missouri-Columia where she is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Journalism. She dreams of becoming a farm director for a Midwest radio station or network.

The scholarships are funded by donations to the NAFB Foundation and the major annual fundraising auction here at the annual meeting, which will be held on Thursday evening.

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

Trends in the Media Landscape

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Mark Ramsey of Mark Ramsey Media offered his insights for agricultural media during the general professional improvement session on Wednesday morning at the NAFB convention in Kansas City.

Mark believes that as broadcasters continue to integrate digital and social media technology, it will completely redefine the meaning of radio. “The reality is, we are all media,” Mark says. “The biggest thing broadcasters have to leverage are the relationships we have between our consumers and our advertisers in our presence.”

Mark is also sharing his insights during a break out session on Wednesday afternoon.

Listen to Chuck’s interview with Mark here: Interview with Mark Ramsey

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

BASF Provides Connectivity for NAFB Meeting

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The 68th Annual NAFB Convention is officially underway in Kansas City. Hundreds of broadcast council and allied industry members are already working hard in between catching up with friends we see only once a year!

Our thanks to BASF for providing so much at the NAFB meeting to help farm broadcasters continue to provide “Insight for Agriculture – Every Day” – even when they are on the road and away from the studio. Not only is BASF sponsoring the broadcast room, as always, they are also sponsoring the internet access – which is absolutely necessary and no small expense at any convention.

The photo album is up and will continue to be updated throughout the meeting all week. Stay tuned!

2011 NAFB Convention Photo Album

Coverage of the NAMA Trends in Agriculture & NAFB Convention is sponsored by BASF

Using Smartphones For Broadcast Purposes

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I like this graphic for next week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention pocket schedule (pdf). The smartphone in a farmer/broadcaster hand tells a story about how things have changed since I first got started in broadcasting way back when. This year’s convention features more professional improvement sessions than I can ever remember and I think this is a good thing. As head of the professional improvement committee again I hope those of you attending will take advantage of the sessions we’re offering. They will have application no matter what your NAFB member status is.

I’d like to invite any of you to email, post in comments here or DM me on Twitter, your questions about using smartphones for broadcast purposes. I’ll be conducting a session on this topic on Wednesday, November 9 at 3:15pm in the Roanoke Room at the Westin Crown Plaza. Other sessions include two presentations by Mark Ramsey, Using Photo & Video to Enhance Your Work and Gadgets and Streaming. You can find them on the schedule. Hope to see you there.

Why You Should Donate to the NAFB Foundation

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If you need some extra incentive to donate to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Foundation – here it is.

Make your donation of $100 or more to the NAFB Foundation, and your name will be entered in a chance to win an iPad 2 tablet!

The real reason you should donate is because the NAFB Foundation helps ensure a strong future for the farm broadcasting profession and industry. The NAFB Foundation is the nonprofit charitable and educational arm of NAFB. It is focused on enhancing the value of agriculture, food production and rural lifestyle through the various forms of broadcasting, while assisting and benefiting industry partners, students, future broadcasters and the general broadcast audience.

So when NAFB president Tom Steever or one of the other officers calls and asks you to donate this year, just say yes. And you might win a new iPad.

The NAFB Store is Open

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NAFB ladies – have you always wanted a sweet black t-shirt or a zippered tote with NAFB in rhinestones? Guys – how about a nice cap, t-shirt, wind shirt, polo or bomber jacket with the NAFB logo?

Yeah, you know you want it!

Have you found yourself far from home without an NAFB lapel pin or made frantic inquires of your peers to see if they could spare you one? Do you lay awake at night, fretting about what others think because you don’t show pride in your association?

Rest easy, friend. There is a solution. The NAFB Store. No longer will you have to scurry among friends to find a pin or be shunned for not wearing one. The NAFB Store can provide the shirt, cap, visor, bag or piece with *bling* that lets people know you’re a member of the NAFB and proud of it. You asked for it…..we’ve got it!

The NAFB on-line store is open for business now. Order your stuff today and get it in time for convention!

Mark Ramsey To Talk Intersection of Broadcasting/Digital At NAFB

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Hopefully you’ve got your registration completed for the November National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention and especially for your hotel room. Want a preview of one of the speakers? Check out Mark Ramsey, Mark Ramsey Media, in the video below. The photo has NAFB President Tom Steever and board member Mark Oppold doing an earlier video promo to get you to register early.

Mark Ramsey Media is one of the best-known research and strategy providers to media companies in America, and company president Mark Ramsey will be at the NAFB Annual Convention to share with attendees the trends and opportunities on the audio media landscape.

Becki Rhoades Joins NAFB As Marketing/Communications Director

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The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) has a new Director of Marketing and Communications who is no stranger to agriculture. She’s Becki Rhoades. Welcome Becki.

NAFB Executive Director Tom Brand says Rhoades’ extensive experience in marketing, working with clients across the nation, wealth of experience in communications, background in agriculture and working knowledge of farm broadcasting will be beneficial as the association continues to promote farm broadcasting as a key part of communicating with producers.

“Becki has worked for over ten years with the Kansas Department of Commerce coordinating marketing activities. She specialized in working with businesses to promote their products and services. I know those she interacts with on the job will instantly be able to see the enthusiasm she has for agriculture,” said Brand. “She understands first-hand the importance of farm broadcasting and has a passion for working with people and helping them make sound decisions. She is an ideal fit for our NAFB members.”

After college, she was a communications manager at the National FFA Headquarters in Indianapolis, where she managed the news desk at the National FFA Convention. She then moved to Topeka to work for the Kansas Livestock Association as assistant editor for the Kansas Stockman Magazine and the KLA Newsletter.

Meet New NAFB Executive Director

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ZimmCast 321One of the major agricultural communications activities of the year is coming soon. It’s the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) convention taking place November 8-11 at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. This will be the first convention for Tom Brand as new NAFB Executive Director. But it is far from his first convention since Tom has been behind the microphone for twenty years as a broadcast member.

I spoke with Tom about his new job and to get a preview of the program (pdf) for this year’s convention. One of the issues facing all ag media groups is the convergence between print, broadcast and web as well as social media. That issue will be addressed during the program this year with presentations like one scheduled with Mark Ramsey a research and strategy provider to media companies. It’s time to get registered if you haven’t and to get your hotel room reserved.

Listen to my conversations with Tom in this week’s ZimmCast: NAFB Executive Director Tom Brand

Thanks to our ZimmCast sponsor, GROWMARK, locally owned, globally strong, for their support.

This week’s program ends with with music from Music Alley. It’s “Every Day” by Rik Leaf. I hope you enjoy it and thank you for listening.

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired. Subscribe so you can listen when and where you want. Just go to our Subscribe page.

NAFB Foundation Seeking Auction Items

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Gift certificates, gift baskets, sports tickets, electronics, art work … got any you would like to donate to support the future of farm broadcasting?

The NAFB Foundation is seeking items for its annual fundraising auction at the convention in November.

Generous donations in past years have helped provide financial support and educational opportunities for young people in pursuit of careers in agricultural communications – like this year’s three scholarship recipients and five station and network interns.

Also, new to the auction this year, they are looking for advertising package donations, which any station or network can contribute.

Other ideas:
Hotel stays/Getaway package
Experiences (hunting package, backstage tickets, cattle drive, winery package, etc.)
Jewelry
Handmade quilts
Collectibles and memorabilia

An auction donation form can be found on-line. Contact the NAFB office or email jennifer@nafb.com if you have questions.

Have You Registered for NAFB Convention Yet?

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Sure, it’s still the sweltering summer of 2011, but the cool days of November are just around the corner – so it is time to get that registration in for the 68th Annual Convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) November 9-11 in Kansas City, if you haven’t done so yet.

Here are the important links:

Preliminary Agenda

On-line registration form

Hotel Reservations – Westin Crown Center

Convention Sponsors

Want to be a sponsor? Contact Jennifer Saylor.

I better make sure Chuck has gotten us registered! See you there.

New Holland Oscar in Agriculture Call For Entries

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The New Holland Oscar in Agriculture Award “recognizes the high levels of journalistic performance in broadcasting by agricultural communication professionals who are members of the NAFB.” Now is the time to enter this year’s competition. You can find the entry form and rules on the National Association of Farm Broadcasting website. The entry deadline is October 7, 2011. All work submitted must have aired since September 1, 2010. Here’s some information from the rules.

RULES

The New Holland Oscar in Agriculture program is designed to recognize and encourage excellence in broadcast reporting on
a wide variety of issues.

Broadcasters interested in applying for the Oscar should consider submitting entries that:

• Relate broadly to food, agriculture, natural resources, rural affairs and related matters of vital public interest;
• Have the necessary components to potentially cause or encourage positive changes, or neutralize negative
issues impacting agriculture;
• Encourage a call to action by listeners to improve themselves, their communities, their industry or the
communities in which they live.
• The purpose of this award is to recognize excellence in reporting skill, thoroughness and attention to audience
interest. Each entry should describe the approach used to develop the reporting and coverage of that issue.
• The nomination should also include enough examples of articles or taped programs to illustrate the scope of
the work.
• All work submitted must have been aired since September 1, 2010.

JUDGING

The New Holland Oscar in Agriculture program is administered by Kansas State University.

ELIGIBILITY

The intent of the New Holland Oscar in Agriculture program is to provide recognition to an individual who is a professional agricultural communicator and is a voting member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.