Agricultural News
2011 DASNR Champion- Ron Hays of the Radio Oklahoma Network
Thu, 24 Mar 2011 5:42:24 CDT
Oklahoma agriculture broadcaster Ron Hays - known for his trademark greeting "Howdy, neighbors" - has been named a 2011 DASNR Champion by Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
"Ron Hays' many accomplishments in Oklahoma media have been second to none in the past 30 years," said Robert E. Whitson, DASNR vice president, dean and director. "He has been and continues to be one of our state's most passionate voices and advocates for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, rural communities and agribusinesses."
The DASNR Champion Award recognizes and honors those who are not graduates of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources but who have brought distinction to the division while demonstrating a continuing interest in and commitment for agricultural sciences and natural resources.
The division is comprised of the college and two state agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
"Ron can often be seen on campus or at meetings across the state, interviewing DASNR researchers and Extension specialists about the latest science-based advances or practices for use in his media reports, thereby expanding the reach of our programs," Whitson said.
The son of an agricultural education teacher, Hays grew up helping raise pigs, sheep and crops while developing a passion for public speaking through FFA. Sometime during junior high, he began to dream about being a radio broadcaster.
While attending the University of Kentucky, Ron started his career as a board operator in 1970 at WWLV radio in Versailles, Ky. He jumped at the opportunity to become a farm broadcaster in 1974, moving to Wichita, Kan. He then moved to network radio in 1977 as the newly appointed farm director of the Oklahoma Agrinet in 1977. Over the years, his duties were expanded as operations manager for the Oklahoma News Network, where he provided oversight and guidance for all aspects of the network's programming.
In 2006, Hays accepted a new challenge, becoming director of farm programming for the Radio Oklahoma Network. His multi-media approach of using radio, television, websites and e-mail newsletters has helped Oklahoma producers and agribusiness operators stay current with the latest scientific advances, management recommendations and agriculture policy developments.
His work has been extensively honored by both the broadcasting and agriculture industries. Hays is a three-time winner of the Oscar Award, considered to be the highest honor for a farm broadcaster. He has also been honored as National Farm Broadcaster of the Year. Hays was inducted into the Oklahoma Broadcaster Hall of Fame in 2007.
In February of this year, Hays received the inaugural "Excellence in Ag Journalism" award presented by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. The award honors trade media that cover the cattle industry.
Hays was in Class One of the division's Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program in the early 1980s. Participants hail from across the state, must be engaged in production agriculture or a related agriculture business and show a strong commitment to aspire to a leadership role to benefit Oklahoma agriculture.
"It's been my honor to have served as chairman of the OALP Advisory Committee, a two-year program that is now up to Class 15," Hays said.
In 2009, the onetime FFA member received one of his greatest honors - the Oklahoma FFA VIP Award - in recognition of his commitment and support of Oklahoma agriculture and state FFA members.
In his speech to the assembled youth, Hays offered this advice: "Build on your experiences. Just because you don't do well the first time you try something, you don't need to quit. Instead, ask 'how do I get better?'"
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