The National Association of Farm Broadcasting paid tribute to the 2014 Farm Broadcaster of the Year last week, as well as one of its newer members with a bright future.
Ken Anderson is this year’s Farm Broadcaster of the Year and is an ag reporter and news anchor for the Brownfield Radio Network. His broadcasting career began in 1977 with KRVN Radio in Lexington, Nebraska. From there, he went to work for regional seed company NC-Plus Hybrids where he was in charge of marketing communications activities. That was followed by public relations stints with two advertising agencies. In 2008, Ken returned to broadcasting with Brownfield Ag News. Among Ken’s honors are the Excellence in Marketing Communications Award from the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and the Editor’s Choice Award from the NAFB News Service. He has also received the Media Appreciation Award from the Nebraska Corn Board and the Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award from the Iowa Soybean Association. Ken is a past president of the NAFB Foundation board of directors and a past president of the Nebraska Agribusiness Club. A graduate of Nebraska’s ag leadership program (LEAD), Ken now serves on the LEAD Alumni Association board of directors.
Nicole Heslip was awarded the 2014 Horizon Award and brings the latest market updates and agricultural news to more than 250,000 listeners across Michigan. You can find her at many agricultural events around the state, providing remote coverage as well as working with local advertising. Nicole also currently serves on the communications work group for the Michigan Agricultural and Environmental Assurance Program and contributes to the Michigan Ag Council’s From the Farmer Blog. As a student at Michigan State University (MSU), she majored in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communications, and specialized in Agri-Business Management and Public Relations. She worked as a student for MSU ANR Communications, as well as Filament Marketing, a public relations firm in Madison, Wisconsin. As a dairy farmer’s daughter, Nicole grew up in Allegan County, where her family today milks over 2,800 cows and operates a custom farming business.
