The author is president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting and a senior news anchor for RFD Radio Network. NAFB commentaries regularly appear on Radio World. 

I was at a farm show recently talking to a farmer who regularly listens to our programs on the RFD Radio Network in Illinois. He was telling me he receives many emails, mostly solicitations for subscriptions or services.

He was lamenting all the noise on social media, and he was certainly concerned about artificial intelligence. What’s real, and what’s not? Who is trustworthy, and who’s not?

The farmer’s concerns were the same ones that inspired me to seek office in the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. There is a tremendous need for trusted resources in our industry. NAFB members are proud to be those trusted voices and we’re determined to serve our great industry.

Farm broadcasters cover a broad range of topics: markets and weather; property rights and related threats; agronomy and animal health … and on and on. In addition to the hard news that may make the front page, we also cover a breadth of topics related to rural life and human interest.

All in a Day’s Work

This is the normal course of business every day for the hundreds of farm broadcasters across the country who deliver ag news, weather and information to rural audiences. The importance of the work they do every day was confirmed again in a 2025 Kynetec Research Farm Radio Listenership Study. The survey of 1,001 respondents showed us that, even with the abundance of information sources at their fingertips, farmers rank radio as their #1 choice for daily ag news and information.

Farm radio is local, relevant and in the moment. Furthermore, it has the credibility and trust of the farm broadcaster, delivering critical news and information that drive business decisions on the farm.

The reach and trust of the farm broadcaster is duplicated by no other medium in agriculture.

[Related: “Tops in the Field: Farm Radio Is the Most Trusted Ag News Source“]

Beginnings on the Farm

Farm broadcasters understand and have a deep connection to their audiences. Most grew up in rural America and have a story similar to mine. For my part, I was raised on a diversified family farm. I’m proud of the experiences I had on the farm, especially those valuable teenage jobs of stacking hay bales, fence work and even running the manure spreader. But I have no mechanical skills, and I certainly don’t have a green thumb. And the economics at the time were going to make it awfully difficult to bring the next generation to the farm.

While my production skills were lacking, I always had an interest in broadcasting. It quickly became apparent that, while there were many people interested in general news and sports, there wasn’t a very long line of aspiring farm broadcasters, even at my land grant university.

I was able to get a lot of early experience, where I learned the ins and outs of on-air work. I also quickly understood the connection between the broadcaster and the loyal listener.

We are so blessed to have loyal listeners. There is nothing like being told that someone listens every day!

We’re part of households and small businesses. We’re with people in their homes, in their vehicles and implements, in their workshops and sometimes we’re even in the diners and cafes.

Whether it’s on their phones, tablets or other devices, people still have a need to get information from a trusted resource — the farm broadcaster. In an era crowded with noise and uncertainty, trust is our most valuable commodity. As the 2026 NAFB president, I look forward to protecting that trust and leading the continued growth and relevance of farm broadcasting.

Interested in writing a guest commentary? Email radioworld@futurenet.com with your ideas. 

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