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The History of the Farm Broadcaster

Explore the history of farm broadcasting, from the early days of radio in the 1920s to the modern era of television in the 1950s. Learn about key milestones, such as the founding of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB), and the functions it serves. Discover how farm broadcasting has evolved and continues to serve the agricultural community today.

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The History of the Farm Broadcaster

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  1. The History of the Farm Broadcaster Chapter 1

  2. The Beginning • Broadcasting information to farmers started just after the invention of the AM radio • WHA in Madison, WI began broadcasting weather reports in January 1921 • A few months later, KDKA in Pittsburgh, PA put Nelson Gilpin, assistant editor of the National Stockman & Farmer, on the air to report markets • By 1922 the USDA reported that 36 stations had been licensed by the Commerce Department, and 35 of the 36 had been approved to broadcast USDA markets

  3. The 1920’s • Numerous stations were licensed and built to broadcast to the farm and rural areas of the country • Farm radio was more efficient and reliable than the telegraph or the telephone to distribute the market information to the area grain elevators and farmers

  4. KFEQ • KFEQ, licensed in 1923 to broadcast from Oak, NE was relocated to St. Joseph, MO in 1926. • KFEQ was one of the first stations to initiate live remote broadcasts from the St. Joseph Stockyards and the St. Joseph Grain Exchange • 3 times daily from the St. Joseph Stockyards • 4 times daily from the St. Joseph Grain Exchange

  5. The First Farm Broadcaster • First full-time farm broadcaster was Frank Mullen with KDKA, who began after college in 1923 • Mullen extended his broadcasting career in 1926 to NBC to found the first network farm program, “The National Farm Service Home Hour.” • Retired as executive vice president of NBC

  6. A National Association • The 1930’s saw more stations hiring full time farm reporters • The idea for a national association grew out of a 1943 meeting of the Institute for Education by Radio in Columbus, OH • Farm broadcaster Larry Haeg called a meeting of 35 who attended the show • in May 1944, the organization was officially formed and named the National Association of Radio Farm Directors (NARFD).

  7. 1950’s • Members must generate advertising revenue for their stations to insure their employment • Commercials started to be accepted in farm programs • Television stations were built in increasing numbers and farm broadcasting took to the television screen

  8. Changing Times • In 1955 NARFD became NATRFD and 137 new farm broadcasters joined to bring the total membership to 500 • Became the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, NAFB in 1964 • In 2005, the name was adjusted to National Association of Farm Broadcasting to be more inclusive of its diverse members

  9. Functions of the NAFB • Marketing and promotion of farm broadcasting to the agricultural advertising community • Commission research to measure media use among farmers and ranchers as the industry evolves • Provides a structure for farm broadcast news distribution through its National Farm Broadcast News Service as well as other professional farm broadcast special events and services

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