| PLATTE CITY, Mo. (July 29, 2026) – The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) names veteran broadcast journalists Rita Frazer and Tom Cassidy as the 2026 inductees into the NAFB Hall of Fame. They will be celebrated on Nov. 19 at the Night of Honors Celebration Banquet, attended by farm broadcasters and ag industry leaders during the 83rd NAFB Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.
In addition to their careers as trusted voices in agriculture and service roles in their respective communities, Frazer and Cassidy have also served in regional and national NAFB leadership positions. Frazer is audio news manager for the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Marketing and Communications Division and served as NAFB president in 2020. Cassidy, who recently retired as farm director and general manager at Ag Radio Network in Barneveld, New York, was the association’s president in 2018. “Rita and Tom have been trusted voices for agriculture for decades, delivering the news and information that farmers and ranchers depend on every day,” says Don Wick, president and owner of the Red River Farm Network and chair of the 2026 NAFB Hall of Fame Committee. “Their leadership has helped shape the future of our association and our industry, making them truly deserving of this recognition. We are delighted to honor them as this year’s inductees.” |
Rita Frazer Frazer has 35 years of experience in agricultural broadcasting and is one of Illinois agriculture’s most trusted voices, delivering timely news, markets and public policy information through the Illinois Farm Bureau’s RFD Radio Network. Under her leadership, the network continues to reach producers across the state through its 85 affiliate stations while maintaining a reputation as Illinois’ premier source for agricultural radio programming. Prior to her present position, Frazer served as network anchor/broadcast editor at WSMI Radio in Litchfield, Illinois. She joined the staff there in January of 1990 and served local farmers and the mid-Illinois community for 22 years. During her time at WSMI, Frazer received multiple awards for her farm reporting and service to Illinois agriculture. She joined the RFD Radio Network full time in 2011 and replaced long-time director Alan Jarand in January 2015. “It has been an honor to serve farmers and tell the story of Illinois agriculture. It’s a blessing,” Frazer says. “Being recognized by my peers with the Hall of Fame award is truly an honor, and humbling.” A past president and 35-year member of NAFB, Frazer has earned numerous accolades, including the 2024 NAFB Farm Broadcaster of the Year Award. In addition to serving as NAFB president, Frazer also was NAFB East Region vice president for two years. Regionally and nationally, Frazer has received numerous accolades. She is a three-time recipient of an American Farm Bureau Federation’s Communications Award in addition to other awards from state commodity and livestock associations over the years. Most recently, in 2024, she received the Illinois Soybean Association Excellence in Media Award. |
Tom Cassidy Cassidy got his first taste of radio at the age of seven when he recorded a commercial for a drive-in. Still, growing up on the family dairy farm in New York state, Cassidy says he assumed he would be a lifelong dairy farmer. “Our family farm had the motto ‘Feeding America since 1927’ on the sign out front,” Cassidy recalls. “I could think of no job more noble. When I realized my voice could encourage other farmers to better feed the world, I was hooked. Receiving the NAFB Hall of Fame award is a great honor and a wonderful culmination of my career in broadcasting.” For nearly five decades, Ag Radio Network has been a trusted voice for agriculture across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with listeners as far north as Quebec and Ontario, west to Ohio and south to Virginia. It was founded by well-known farm broadcaster Ed Slusarczyk, with Cassidy being named farm director at the network in 2000, and later general manager. In his 30-year career, Cassidy grew a tremendous following from the region’s farmers and ag industry. And under his leadership, the family-owned network has delivered timely ag news, tailored to the region’s diverse agricultural industries. Early in his career, Cassidy won the NAFB Horizon Award, which recognizes emerging leaders in farm broadcasting. He also served as East Region NAFB vice president in 2006-2007 and national president in 2018. He has served other organizations, including the Food Policy Council and Central New York Ag Economic Development Group. Today, he provides pastoral leadership to the Foothill Rural Community Ministry, a consortium of 17 churches in seven neighboring townships. About the NAFB Hall of Fame Established in 1986, the NAFB Hall of Fame has recognized farm broadcasting pioneers who are powerful advocates in the field of agriculture. The recipients are members who have made long-lasting contributions to the farm broadcasting industry. They are nominated by NAFB members and honored for their leadership, outstanding career achievements, NAFB contributions and impact on the agriculture industry. There are 83 inductees, including Frazer and Cassidy, in the Hall of Fame. Learn more here. About NAFB Founded in 1944, NAFB is a non-profit professional organization whose mission is to lead, promote and support growth in agricultural and rural broadcasting for the benefit of its members, audiences and industry. NAFB membership comprises farm broadcasters, ag media sales and marketing professionals, allied industry and associations, and students studying agriculture communications. For more information, visit nafb.com. |
