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About Us

RRFN History:

The Red River Farm Network went on the air on December 4, 1995, delivering news, markets and weather information to some of the best farmers in the world. RRFN was founded by John Vasichek, Mike Hergert and Jerry Fiskum. All three worked together at KKXL ‘All Farm Radio’ in Grand Forks before starting the network. The Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers joined as a partner so more of its members could hear pertinent agriculture information.

A studio was built with used equipment in downtown Grand Forks, and RRFN began with 12 radio affiliates. Today, programs can be heard in 21 radio markets in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. In addition, the network connects with farmers and agricultural stakeholders through its e-newsletter and social media platforms. Currently, RRFN has four farm journalists on its team: Don Wick, Randy Koenen and Carah Hart. Don Wick is RRFN’s president and Kolleen Wick is corporate vice president. Kolleen Wick focuses on public relations and marketing. Jay Rehder is in advertising sales and Ashley Lannen serves as the office manager.

RRFN Highlights:

  • RRFN reports from the ‘Battle in Seattle,’ the 1999 World Trade Organization Ministerial that was overshadowed by violent protests. RRFN went on to cover WTO ministerials in Hong Kong and Cuba.
  • In 2001, RRFN Farm Broadcaster Mike Hergert serves as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.
  • RRFN covered the U.S. Food and Agribusiness Exhibition in Havana, Cuba in 2002. Cuban President Fidel Castro met with the North Dakota and Minnesota delegations.
  • RRFN Farm Broadcaster Don Wick joins RRFN in 2003 and is named the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year in 2004.
  • RRFN’s Jerry Fiskum serves as chairman of the North Dakota Broadcasters Association in 2004.
  • The RRFN e-newsletter, FarmNetNews, debuts in 2004.
  • Randy Koenen joins the Red River Farm Network farm broadcast team in 2007.
  • The 2007 National Farm Broadcaster of the Year is RRFN’s Mike Hergert.
  • Since 2008, RRFN hosts a series of seminars and live broadcasts from the Big Iron Farm Show. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer was featured during that first year.
  • Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack travels to Afghanistan and meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in 2010. RRFN’s Don Wick is the only U.S. agricultural journalist invited to travel with Secretary Vilsack and report during the trip.
  • RRFN hosts Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for a seminar at the Big Iron Farm Show in 2010.
  • In 2011, RRFN President John Vasichek is presented the NAFB Meritorious Service Award.
  • In 2015, Missouri native Carah Hart joins the RRFN team as an ag journalist.
  • RRFN’s Mike Hergert is inducted into the NAFB Hall of Fame in 2015.
  • In 2016, RRFN has a new home at the Big Iron Farm Show. After being in a large tent, the RRFN seminars move to its building at the center of the grounds.
  • Megan (Ternquist) Overby, who is an NDSU grad from Petersburg, North Dakota, joins RRFN.
  • RRFN moved into its current location in October of 2017.
  • RRFN co-founder Mike Hergert retires after a distinguished farm broadcasting career in 2017.
  • Carah Hart’s early career success is recognized with the NAFB’s Horizon Award.
  • RRFN President Don Wick is inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2018.
  • RRFN’s Carah Hart is elected national vice president for the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.
  • Cierra Dockter joins the RRFN farm broadcast team. Dockter is a Medina, North Dakota native and a former state FFA officer.

Latest RRFN Podcasts

Country Morning
Country Morning Presented by CHS Ag Services
Monday, Jul 4th, 2022
Agriculture Today
Agriculture Today presented by CHS Ag Services
Friday, Jul 1st, 2022
Market Analysis
Friday, Jul 1st, 2022
Weather
AM Weather
Monday, Jul 4th, 2022
This Week In Agriculture
Friday, Jul 1st, 2022
Well Grounded
Well Grounded - Episode 13
Friday, Jun 17th, 2022
Fielding Questions
Fielding Questions: Political Update
Monday, Jul 4th, 2022
TransFARMation
TransFARMation: Misuse of Prescription Meds is a Rural Threat
Wednesday, Jun 22nd, 2022
Clean Fuels Podcast
New Technology Enables Integration of Ethanol into Existing Diesel Engines
Friday, Apr 1st, 2022

Subscribe to RRFN

Get a weekly digest from RRFN to stay up-to-date on all the latest news in agriculture.

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Affiliate Stations
AberdeenKMOM105.5 FMAdaKRJB106.5 FMBagleyKKCQ96.7 FMBemidjiKPMI1300 AMBensonKBMO1290 AMBismarckKLXX1270 AMBismarckKLXX1270 AMCasseltonKZTK103.9 FMCrookstonKROX1260 AMDevils LakeKZZY103.5 FMFergus FallsKBRF1250 AMFosstonKKCQ1480 AMGlenwoodKMGK107.1 FMGraftonKXPO1340 AMJamestownKSJB600 AMLangdonKNDK1080 AMMahnomenKRJM101.5 FMMayvilleKMAV105.5 FMRoseauKCAJ102.1 FMRugbyKZZJ1450 AMThief River FallsKKAQ1460 AMWadenaKKWS105.9 FM

997 47th Avenue South, Unit 2 • Grand Forks, ND 58201

(701) 795-1315

© 2022 Red River Farm Network
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