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HALL OF FAME FARM BROADCASTER KEN ROOT ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT
Jan. 6, 2020
Oklahoma Farm Radio Network reports:
Ken Root and I actually started our Farm Broadcast Careers the same year- back in 1974- I have a few more years in radio than he does as my start in radio actually goes back to 1970- but I did non farm broadcast radio during my years at the University of Kentucky before I traveled west to Wichita to start on KFH Radio in 1974.
That was the year that Ken Root was hired by Oklahoma City legendary broadcaster Russell Pierson to work with him on WKY Radio and TV- he was a Vo-Ag teacher before that- and Ken has worked in the world of Ag- both as a broadcaster but also as a Trade Association Executive over these past 46 years.
On Facebook Friday- Ken announced he is retiring from his position as the Senior Farm Director of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network- many of our Oklahoma friends saluted Ken in comments from his post- for example Joe Neal Hampton said "Congrats Ken. U had a great career. Enjoy life. I am not far behind u in doing the same." Joe Neal is planning to retire later this year as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association.
Others who chimed in included Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel, former AFR President Terry Detrick, Former Oklahoma Secretary of Ag Terry Peach and many more.
Ken has been a friend and a mentor/colleague as we have traveled the service to Agriculture road over the decades. In recent years, Ken has been a regular reader of this email- and it has been our honor that he has read/heard stories here that he thought met his journalistic standards in such a way that he shared many of them with his audience in Iowa. (always with our open ended blessing- you want to use it- go for it!) In return, we have shared more than one of his stories here in Oklahoma as well.
Congrats to Ken and his wife Jane as they tackle this next stage of their lives- I suspect that Ken won't stay away from the microphone altogether- and I look forward to his periodic "projects" that he chooses to get involved in- in the meantime- Godspeed Ken- thanks for your friendship and nonstop professional help through the years!!!
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