Signing Off The Airwaves | Video

Cliff Naylor | 11/5/2012

Al Gustin has been the voice of agriculture for the past 45 years. He`s covered farm and ranch news since 1968, interviewed hundreds of state and federal farm officials and covered two North Dakota trade missions to Japan, China, and Egypt. Al says when he looks back on his broadcasting career, it`s not the international assignments or interviews with the high profile news figures that stand out, but day to day reporting on issues and events that affected ordinary people.

"The things I remember most is the relationships with farmers and ranchers out there, and now with their children who have taken over the farm or ranch, and those kinds of things are really meaningful," Gustin said.

The ag reporting Al has done since 1968 is also meaningful to his audience.

"You`re so used to hearing him, he`s been there forever."

Wade Staigle is just one of the farmers who`s going to miss hearing Al Gustin`s voice.

"In the wintertime when we`re feeding cattle and every morning you hear him and you look forward to what`s gong to be coming up throughout the day."

Many farmers like Leonard Meduna can`t imagine radio without Al.

"It will be different," he said.

Life will be different for Al as well.

"I`ll still be busy, there`s no doubt about that, theres the ranch and hobbies and I`ve got children and grandchildren that need visiting. I`ve got projects around the house and yard that need attention, so staying busy is not going to be a problem," he said.

Al`s final day on the radio will be November 30.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY