After almost two decades of sharing agriculture stories, Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Agriculture First radio program has come to an end.
OKFB’s Sam Knipp produced more than 4,900 radio shows as part of the series spanning years of agriculture news, advancements and progress. The program was broadcast on more than 40 stations in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas over the years.
To recap the program’s storied past, Sam hand-selected a few radio stories that best capture what Agriculture First was all about.
The May 3, 1999, Moore Tornado
After the F-5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, in 1999, Sam saw first-hand the damage and devastation farmers in the area suffered. He also documented the kindness, and servant attitude Oklahomans embody.
Download Sam’s report on the May 1999 tornado
Harvesting hot peppers near Hydro, Oklahoma with Merlin Schantz.
Sam’s favorite line from the story? “I promise you, you’re not really hurt – you just think you are!” After a day in the field, you definitely feel the burn.
Download Sam’s story on harvesting hot peppers near Hydro
Making a saddle the old-fashioned way with Bret Mock near Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
The craftsmanship the Mock famiily and their team of artists put into every saddle is undeniable.
Download Sam’s story with Bret Mock as a saddle is made
Putting a devastating drought into common terms
Farmer Larry Crews describes the devastating drought he and the panhandle faced in 2008 as officials toured the drought-stricken area.
Download Sam’s story with farmer Larry Crews during the 2008 drought in the panhandle
The final Agriculture First program
Sam shares his reason for seeking out and sharing Oklahoma’s agriculture stories with the public.
Download Sam’s final Agriculture First radio story
Bonus story: You never know where your next story might come from
In searching archived audio to compile this article, we came upon this story from 1999, which stemmed from an intervivew Sam did with a person tending a garden on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This story serves as a testament to Sam’s story-gathering legacy: you may never find your best story if you don’t spend time taking an interest in people and asking them about the things they care about the most.
