Kansas State radio host Eric Atkinson retires after 39 years

MANHATTAN — Even after 39 years on the air, Eric Atkinson figures he by no means had a lot of a “model.”

For almost 4 a long time, Atkinson’s voice beamed throughout Kansas prairies and grain fields into the ears of 1000’s of farmers as host of “Agriculture At the moment,” Okay-State Analysis and Extension’s every day radio program discussing all of the goings-on and points going through agriculture.

If his viewers was the to-the-point, salt-of-the-earth type of people that make up Kansas’ largest business, so too would Atkinson make his present, discovering and presenting solely probably the most pertinent info farmers and agribusiness folks wanted of their lives.

However regardless that his model was by no means flashy, Atkinson discovered a method to make a reputation for himself within the hearts and minds of his viewers, which even spilled over the border into a number of neighboring states.

And now that he is retiring after greater than 9,000 exhibits, Atkinson stated he at all times tried to spotlight the extraordinary farmers and consultants in a job he liked day-after-day.

“I have been a Okay-Stater for all my life, and hopefully, I served the college as much as its requirements,” he stated. “I at all times wished to verify Okay-State was placing its finest foot ahead in regard to agriculture, and it at all times did. I take nice pleasure in having the chance to assist present that.”

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How a small-town Kansas farm boy got here to surf the agriculture airwaves

Atkinson nonetheless wonders how he pulled off touchdown a job amongst among the radio’s broadcasting legends.

As a child on a farm outdoors Winfield, Atkinson grew up listening to radio as a connection to the world past his farm. He listened with fascination as 50,000 watt, AM alerts reached him at night time, and after performing some radio studies in highschool, he was hooked.

After graduating from Okay-State with a level in broadcasting, Atkinson labored in numerous different jobs in radio, communications and even on his household’s farm earlier than alternative got here calling.

It was spring 1983 when Jack Burke, supervisor of Okay-State’s KSAC radio station, referred to as with dangerous information and a possibility. Paul DeWeese, the earlier host of “Agriculture At the moment” who had been recognized across the nation because the ‘”dean of agriculture broadcasters,” had died of a coronary heart assault.

Atkinson had been the primary candidate to return to thoughts in succeeding the radio legend. Whereas Atkinson instantly accepted, he realized even then he was being given a possibility of a lifetime, particularly to work alongside individuals like Burke and station supervisor Ralph Titus who would turn into public radio legends. 

Kansas State play-by-play announcer Dev Nelson, whom Atkinson had idolized rising up, turned his next-door workplace neighbor.

“These guys had been top-of-the-line broadcasters,” Atkinson stated. “It was simply so cool to be a part of that stage of professionalism, experience, talent and expertise.”

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Eric Atkinson tried to be Kansas farmers’ connection to world

In 39 years on the present, Atkinson noticed his function as a number extra as giving a platform to the a whole lot of agricultural consultants and professionals who’ve sat on the microphone throughout from him.

If he solely had 60 minutes on the air with them, although, Atkinson would make each one rely, and most of his time on the job was spent pre-interviewing company or researching subjects, so he may ask probably the most pertinent inquiries to Kansas farmers.

“(The consultants) made it straightforward, as a result of they actually know their stuff,” he stated. “They’ve one thing to share, and my job was principally to be a conduit for that.”

A type of consultants, agricultural economics professor Glynn Tonsor, has been an everyday visitor, speaking by way of meat and livestock economics with Atkinson each month or so for the previous 10 years. 

Tonsor praised Atkinson as a consummate skilled who at all times did his analysis, understood points and delved into topics in a manner that could possibly be relatable for the common farmer, in and round Kansas.

“He is cared about ag,” Tonsor stated. “He is at all times been well-versed on the problems which are related for Kansas, and there is been an even bigger affect from his present due to that. … It will be understated to solely discuss his Kansas affect.”

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Atkinson is handing studio keys to subsequent era of ag broadcasting

Atkinson would not fear an excessive amount of about his boots, since he is taking them with him.

He is fast to level out that Samantha Bennett, his successor, would not want to fret about filling in his boots, as a result of she’ll pave her personal manner and make her personal title on the present.

Bennett, a latest Auburn College graduate, earned her grasp’s diploma in animal sciences with a spotlight in agricultural points communications, with extra of a background in podcasting in comparison with conventional radio.

The format and expertise have clearly modified, Atkinson stated. For the primary half of his profession, enhancing the exhibits nonetheless concerned bodily reducing and splicing reels of tape. However past that and modifications within the present’s size, the present’s agriculture info mission has stayed the identical, even when the present finds new methods to succeed in individuals.

About 1,000 individuals obtain the podcast model of “Agriculture At the moment” every day — Atkinson factors out the podcast only in the near past reached 1 million downloads — and Bennett has plans to develop that phase of the present’s viewers, whereas staying true to the present’s radio roots.

“I acknowledge the legacy that I will be persevering with, and that I am strolling amongst legends, in somehow,” Bennett stated. “That is one thing that is on the forefront of my thoughts, and I am hoping I do the present justice. It is massive sneakers to fill.”

Atkinson additionally reminds individuals that retirement will not imply he’ll drop off the face of the earth — he’ll nonetheless be at his west Wabaunsee County farm together with his spouse, and it’s possible you’ll catch a glimpse of him at native ag occasions or on the sidelines of a Okay-State soccer sport.

He even plans on being round for Dec. 1, 2024, which is able to mark 100 years since “Agriculture At the moment” first went on the air.

For now, although, he is taking within the second, and on Thursday, he recorded his final present — a particular version to introduce Bennett and say farewell — which was to be broadcast Friday, throughout the state and on farms across the nation.

Barely longer pauses broke up the veteran broadcaster’s cadence, as he handed over the microphone to Bennet. He inspired the 1000’s of every day listeners to maintain tuning in, and to maintain downloading the podcast, as he signed off one final time.

“Samantha is raring to expertise what I’ve been blessed with over almost 4 a long time — an awfully fulfilling working relationship with the nice agricultural minds and personalities related to Kansas State College and with the farmers, ranchers, agribusiness folks and rural Kansans for which we generate this program.

“Thanks all in your listenership, your help, and your dedication to agriculture,” the radio host ended. Eric Atkinson right here, this has been ‘Agriculture At the moment’ — over the Okay-State Radio Community.”

Rafael Garcia is an schooling reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He will be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com. Comply with him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.