From Contest Stage to Microphone: Agricultural Broadcasting Careers and FFA Speaking
Real Stories, Real Skills: Profiles and Case Studies
FFA includes more than a few events where members stand at a podium, answer questions or deliver a speech from memory. For some alumni, that practice leads to a career in front of a microphone or camera. This article looks at the published stories of a farm broadcaster, a national sports television executive and three past presidents whose work centers on speaking and communication, and it explains the skills they say transferred.
- Key takeaway: alumni in media credit FFA with comfort speaking, thinking on their feet and building relationships.
- Caution: these are selected success stories, and most FFA members do not become broadcasters.
Reading the News on RFD-TV
Janet Adkison hosts “FFA Today” on RFD-TV, where members share chapter stories. In FFA’s January 2021 “On the Record” interview she said she started FFA as a freshman in the Houston chapter in Missouri and got involved by memorizing the FFA Creed. She said it made her more comfortable with public speaking even though she did not compete. She added that livestock judging taught her to think on her feet and be concise, and that giving reasons was a lesson she has used more than she expected. She also called the National Association of Farm Broadcasting her FFA for adult life, because members learn from each other (source).
Live Television Like Farming
Eric Shanks, CEO and executive producer of FOX Sports, told FFA in September 2020 that live television is a lot like farming, because each day you wake up not knowing what it will bring. He grew up in the Brazil, Indiana, FFA chapter and recommended biting off more than you can chew (source).
Past Presidents Who Speak and Report
The bios on this site describe three presidents whose later work involves communication. Tim Hammerich, president in 2002–03, is a news reporter for the Ag Information Network of the West and hosts the Future of Agriculture podcast. Jackie Mundt, president in 2004–05, studied agricultural communications at Fresno State and later led communications at a Kansas cooperative. G. Mark Mayfield, president in 1973–74, describes himself as a professional speaker, trainer and comedian and says his communication skills are directly attributable to FFA, a claim that is his own.
Skills the Stories Share
| Skill | Where the alumni mention it |
|---|---|
| Comfort speaking | Creed memorization, speaking events |
| Thinking on your feet | Livestock judging reasons |
| Preparing for the unpredictable | Live television compared with farming |
| Networks | Adult groups like the farm broadcasters’ association |
The table summarizes what the interviewees said. It does not show that FFA is a pathway into broadcasting for most members.
Starting Points for a Member
- Try one speaking event that is a little outside your comfort zone.
- Record yourself and listen for filler words.
- Interview a local business owner or farmer for a chapter newsletter.
- Offer to introduce speakers at a chapter event.
The ideas are this site’s suggestions for low-stakes practice.
Honest Limits
The interviews are short, edited for publication and chosen because the subjects succeeded. Hammerich’s and Mundt’s bios on this site do not attribute their careers to an FFA event, and Mayfield’s credit is self-reported.
The three presidents mentioned above have bios here: Tim Hammerich, Jackie Mundt and G. Mark Mayfield.