WAPAKONETA —“The In Ohio Country Today Agriculture Network” will deliver exclusive agricultural reports for 18 iHeart Media stations in Ohio starting today.
The nationally recognized television show hosted by Dan Wilson first aired in July 2005 and announced the news Thursday.
“We started with just three stations right here in Lima and I produce the show here in Wapakoneta,” Wilson said. “I have expanded that to over 20 broadcast vehicles, plus our YouTube channel and it has been extremely successful. We’ve been able to create a program that’s filmed right here in Ohio about Ohio farming families and agribusiness.”
Wilson said that he produces 43 shows per year and tries to keep content as current and diverse as possible, but this news is true validation for his and co-hosts Gary Jackson and Alan Davis’ work.
“It gives us another opportunity to be that vehicle for our clients and customers to get another multimedia approach,” he said. “It means a lot as a stamp of approval as well and I couldn’t be any happier in my 40th year of broadcasting.”
And as important as “In Ohio Country Today” regular shows are, Wilson said that the exclusives will only bring more information that producers need on a daily basis.
“You’re going to get weather reports, market updates and updates on certain trends,” he said. “Our producers are concerned about not only what it takes to run their operation, but what lies ahead for them in the profitability of selling the goods and services they produce. So it’s important to have a resource that they can turn to for information beneficial to their farm and for the ability to talk to experts.”
Both Wilson and iHeart Media stressed how excited they were about this news.
“We know that Dan and his group have created a very successful brand and is well respected by those in the agricultural industry here in the Buckeye State,” Matt Bell, Area President of iHeart Media, said in a press release. “His experience, enthusiasm and unbridled support for farmers, farming families and agribusiness is why we chose to partner with him.”
And anyone listening who has never heard a farm report before will be able to get a better understanding of what they might be seeing in area farmland.
“They might not know what is a tractor and what is a combine or what soybeans are from corn or wheat,” Wilson said. “But hopefully, we’ll be able to give them a better understanding of what’s happening so that everybody can appreciate what our farmers do every year they’re out there. Educating the general public is what it’s all about.”
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
