The National Association of Farm Broadcasters is saddened to share the news that charter-signing member Warren Kester has passed away. Kester was a life-long member of the agriculture community and worked as a journalist in print and on air for almost 60 years. Kester was 95 years old at the time of his passing in March. He was born on …
Apply Today for NAFB Scholarships
The NAFB Foundation has announced that applications are now open for five $5,000 scholarship available to students studying careers in agriculture communications. Since 1975, the NAFB Foundation has been investing in the future of farm broadcasting by providing college scholarships to more than 100 college students. This year, the foundation is offering a total of $25,000 in scholarships to be …
Passing of Sen. Conrad Burns
Sad to hear the news that legendary farm broadcaster and U.S. Senator Conrad Burns has passed away at the age of 81. Conrad founded the Northern Ag Network and was inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2011. Burns was born in Northwest Missouri, attended the University of Missouri, served in the US Marine Corps, …
Passing of Farm Broadcaster Rex Messersmith
Members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting are sad to hear that former member Rex Messersmith, age 84, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away April 15. Rex joined NAFB in 1956 and enjoyed a career in radio broadcasting for 55 years. He started as a Nebraska Co-op Extension Service specialist, was farm director and manager of WNAX radio in Yankton, …
Agri-Pulse Presents 2016 Doan Award
Yesterday during the Agri-Pulse Farm to Fork Politics discussion and reception the annual Doan Award was presented to Ben Nuelle, Iowa Agribusiness Farm Network. The award is sponsored by Agri-Pulse and was presented by Senator Pat Roberts from Kansas and Greg Akagi current National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) president. The Doan recognizes and encourages excellence in reporting agriculture. The …
Passing of Jack Farmakis
We just learned that Jack Farmakis has passed away and are saddened to hear it. Once upon a time his company represented the first company that Cindy, Gary Cooper and I started in Florida. And his company now represents Gary’s Southeast AgNet and AgNet West. Jack was an active member of NAFB since 1974 and left his mark on the …
NAFB Emeritus Rankin Passes Away
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting announced this week that Emeritus NAFB member Charlie Rankin has passed away. Charlie was an NAFB member for 61 years. Rankin “retired” from broadcasting in 1990, but remained on the air for several years. In addition to broadcasting, Charlie was passionate about Texas A&M and rodeo and was a founding president of the National …
Updates from Case IH at #NAFB15
The Case IH team was out in full force for the 2015 NAFB Trade Talk in Kansas City. One highlight for the well-known equipment company is their 20-year anniversary of tracks on their Steiger tractor. Mitch Kaiser, marketing manager for the Steiger tractor line, said the 2016 enhancements set the bar for high performance, operator experience and all around improvements. …
NAFB Hall of Famer Johnnie Hood Passes
So sad to hear that legendary southern farm broadcaster Johnnie Hood passed away suddenly the day after Thanksgiving at the age of 72. Johnnie was one of our very first friends in NAFB, back in the day when he served as president in 1985 at the midpoint of his career as a radio farm broadcaster on WPTF in Raleigh, North …
Ethos XB from FMC
Earlier this month FMC announced the launch of Ethos™ XB insecticide/fungicide, the first of its kind, integrated in-furrow product for insect and disease control. It just so happens that Rick Ekins, fungicide and insecticide portfolio manager for FMC, was attending the NAFB convention. We talked about the announcement and what it provides to farmers. Here’s some information on the product …