By Gary Joiner
TFB Radio Network Manager
Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) original radio offering, Farm Bureau Roundup, celebrated 65 years on the air in May at a gathering in Fort Worth of present and past Roundup reporters and associates of the program.
The 15-minute program first aired on May 22, 1954, on 62 stations in Texas. It was the creation of then-TFB Information Director Bill Hoover and Waco radio personality Goodson McKee.
Farm Bureau Roundup features the insights of 10 reporters across the state with agricultural news from their region. Five reports air each week. TFB Network Producer Tom Nicolette produces and hosts the program.
“The diversity of farm, ranch and consumer news reported provides valuable information for our wide-ranging audiences across Texas,” Nicolette said.
It is believed to be the longest-running weekly agricultural radio program in the country. The program now airs on 34 stations, mostly on Saturday or Sunday.
“We celebrate the anniversary of the program every five years, and it’s great to get everyone together to say thank you and to show our appreciation for what everyone does to make the program a success,” Nicolette said. “Some of our current and past reporters have been a part of the program for more than 40 years, which is amazing.”
Roundup has evolved over six decades on the air.
Reporters now have various backgrounds, including Extension agents, farmers, ranchers, horticulturalists and retired agricultural consultants.
“Farm radio is an important medium, and our reporters help us deliver timely news from the vast regions of the Lone Star State,” Nicolette said.
Current Farm Bureau Roundup reporters are Barry Mahler of Wichita Falls, Dr. Shane McLellan of Waco, John Begnaud of San Angelo, Dr. Vanessa Olson of Overton, Jim Hearn of Edinburg, Harvey Buehring of Corpus Christi, Eddie Griffis of Lubbock, Jack Dillard of Waskom and Larry Marble of Fulton.
Current and past programs can be heard at https://texasfarmbureau.org/radio/.