A voice for radio – that’s what some listeners might say about Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) President Bob Worth’s booming voice heard each week on Pipestone’s KLOH Radio.

At first, Worth was a bit nervous to host a radio program, but after eight years, he said he’s gotten comfortable serving as a literal voice for farmers on the airwaves.

“I really enjoy telling our story because people aren’t doing that anymore,” Worth said.

Beginning his radio show, listeners will hear Worth’s theme song, Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” (also the name of Worth’s show) followed by a discussion of current farm issues in Minnesota and nationally. Worth also invites guests to join in the conversation, including local, state and federal politicians and Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen.

“Congresswoman (Michelle) Fischbach says she loves going on the show because we always have a good time,” Worth said. “We have a good laugh and enjoy talking about what we’re doing and try to give listeners good information that they can use.”

Worth credits his involvement with MSGA in adding to his radio conversations.

“Being involved with MSGA has enabled me to stay in tune to get information quicker, and I love to tell listeners what’s going on and to try to help them with their farming operation,” Worth said.

Just a few counties east of Worth, MSGA Vice President Darin Johnson co-hosts his own radio program, “Growing with Johnson Seeds,” with his agronomist on KBEW out of Blue Earth. In his office, listeners would see a makeshift studio similar to a podcast-type setup. From here, Johnson typically broadcasts the radio show, but sometimes his day job forces him to record remotely.

“We talk about anything that’s going on with agriculture and give agronomic insights of what we’re seeing live out in the fields at the time,” Johnson said. “Sometimes we do remote call ins from the tractor, while I am up on the Hill out in Washington, D.C., or when I was down at Commodity Classic.”

Johnson enjoys the weekly dialogue and civil disagreements.

“We have a lot of fun,” Johnson said. “We banter back and forth about some topics because we don’t always necessarily agree on them either, so we sometimes have that conversation on the radio, which keeps it pretty interesting.”

Johnson, who owns his own seed company, said the agronomic discussions are his favorite. His platform also allows him a chance to promote membership in MSGA.

“For us, it’s good that we can be proactive and help listeners and to be their eyes and ears,” Johnson said. “We like to be widespread and have those listeners come to you and say thank you for reminding me.”

Listen in

Sponsored by Meadowland Cooperative, join Bob Worth at 8:45 a.m. Tuesdays on KLOH 1050 AM.

“Growing with Johnson Seeds” airs Wednesdays at 11:35 a.m. and Thursday’s at 10:30 a.m. on KBEW 98.1 FM.