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Nov. 10, 2026
by C.J. Miller, Hoosier Ag Today radio network West Lafayette, IN -- Twenty years ago, the idea of a brand-new, independent, statewide farm radio network in Indiana existed only on a blank sheet of paper. Today, that blank sheet has grown into a powerhouse voice reaching over 70 radio affiliate stations across Indiana, delivering vital daily markets, weather, and farm news to the state's agricultural community. On Saturday, September 19, Hoosier Ag Today (HAT) officially marked its 20th anniversary with a celebratory Gala held at the historic Stine Barn at Prophetstown near West Lafayette. The evening brought together ag leaders, commodity representatives, station partners, and farm broadcasters to honor two decades of service--and to highlight the lifetime achievements of the man who started it all. A Distinguished Honor for an Indiana Ag Giant The headline moment of the celebration came when Don Lamb, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), stepped to the podium on behalf of Indiana Governor Mike Braun to present Hoosier Ag Today founder and Chairman Gary Truitt with the "Distinguished Hoosier Award". The honor recognizes individuals who have made unique and lasting contributions to the state of Indiana. "Hoosier Ag Today is one of the best tools we could possibly have for telling the story of agriculture," Lamb told the crowd. "So, you've really had an impact on what the Department of Agriculture has been able to do. Today, when we need something that has to do with telling our story, Hoosier Ag Today is such a good team member for that." For those who have watched Truitt's career, the award was a fitting tribute to a broadcast journey that began in an unlikely place. Former Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock reflected on Truitt's roots during his remarks, reminding attendees that the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Hall of Famer didn't grow up on a farm. However, Truitt's passion has always been radio, where he had aspired to become one of the rock-and-roll disc jockeys he idolized while listening to WLS-AM in Chicago as a teenager. "Gary didn't start out on a farm," Villwock noted. "Gary started out in Chicago. As a young man, his dream wasn't to become an ag broadcaster--he wanted to play rock-and-roll music on the radio. But somewhere along the way, after thousands of interviews and countless hours talking with farmers, Gary learned to understand agriculture from the farmer's perspective. Gary Truitt thinks like a farmer." Villwock recalled meeting Truitt in 2006 when the broadcaster laid out his vision to build a new network from the ground up. "I understood what Gary was trying to build, and Indiana Farm Bureau decided to give that vision a kick-start," Villwock said. "Supporting Gary's effort was probably one of the best investments Indiana Farm Bureau had ever made." Crafting a Vision From a Blank Sheet of Paper When Hoosier Ag Today officially hit the airwaves on September 18, 2006, it was born out of pure grit, industry relationships, and a shared vision between Gary and his wife, Kathleen. "When Kathleen and I decided to start the network 20 years ago, this was not anywhere in our ideas," Truitt reflected during his anniversary address. "The vision we had never even came close to where Hoosier Ag Today is today, or to an event like this 20 years later. Couldn't imagine it." Truitt recalled the moment the concept took shape: "When I talked to Kathleen about the idea, she handed me a blank piece of paper. And together, we started crafting that vision. What would it look like? How do you put together an organization that provides timely, credible, and reliable information to farmers, and yet build a business that's based on honesty, integrity, and quality?" Starting with just 10 brave radio station affiliates in communities like Logansport, Warsaw, Jasper, Crawfordville, and Batesville, HAT quickly gained momentum. The team pioneered remote broadcasting decades before it became a necessity, built custom software distribution systems, partnered with Purdue-trained meteorologists like Ryan Martin to deliver specialized farm weather, and brought on top-tier sales and broadcast talent to expand into Michigan. Over the past two decades, HAT survived economic ups and downs, market shifts, and global disruptions--solidifying its role as an indispensable lifeline for rural Indiana. Uncompromising Commitment: Stepping Boldly Into the Future While the Gala provided an opportunity to look back, the core theme of the night was the road ahead. Today, Hoosier Ag Today is expanding far beyond traditional radio, using video webcasts, social media live-streaming, digital podcasts, and TV partnerships to bring the story of farming into mainstream urban living rooms. Eric Pfeiffer, President and News Director of Hoosier Ag Today, emphasized that while media tools evolve, the network's foundational mission remains unshakable. "You just heard the vision--where it started, where it's going," Pfeiffer said. "The one thing you can't question is this all started, Gary, by your uncompromising commitment to Indiana agriculture. Let me make you a promise to you and everyone else here: as our industry continues to evolve, that foundation is not going to budge." Pfeiffer underscored HAT's unique position as a locally owned and operated business deeply embedded in the state's agricultural fabric. "Hoosier Ag Today is locally owned right here," Pfeiffer said. "We are Indiana's farm network, and we're damn proud. Tools will change, technology will advance, markets will cycle, but our mission remains rock solid: to serve, support, and defend this community with unmatched credibility." Closing out the evening, Truitt passed the torch to the next generation of leadership with full confidence. "We're going to celebrate the past, but we're going to step into the future, and all of you are going to do that with us," Truitt concluded. "From now on, others are going to add to that vision. The vision of Hoosier Ag Today, like agriculture, has a future. It is a future that is ever-changing. If we stay true to the vision, we know it'll be a good future and a successful future." Tweet |
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