Tom Brand is a native of Nodaway County, Missouri, growing up on a diversified family livestock and grain farm just south of Hopkins, Missouri. From putting up hay and scraping hog slabs to sorting cattle and building fence, Tom says he can’t remember a time in his life that he hasn’t been surrounded by agriculture.
Besides his experiences growing up on the farm, Tom stayed active in the local 4-H and FFA chapters, serving in several different offices. Through these experiences, Tom was involved in a variety of contests. While serving as FFA Chapter President, his road towards farm broadcasting began as announcer of their chapter sponsored pig races.
Brand attended the University of Missouri—Columbia, majoring in general agriculture with an emphasis towards communications. Before completing his degree, Brand began his farm-broadcasting career at the Brownfield Network in 1993. His responsibilities included news coverage for Nebraska and Indiana, plus a regular series of market reports for their affiliate stations in 5 states.
An opportunity to return close to his Northwest Missouri roots came in 1994, when Tom accepted the position of Assistant Farm Director for KMA Radio in Shenandoah, Iowa. KMA Radio’s rich tradition as one of the leading farm radio stations in Iowa gave Brand an opportunity to expand his horizons in reporting and broadcasting markets.
Now serving as Farm Director for 680 AM KFEQ Radio in St. Joseph, Missouri, Brand has the responsibility of more than ten hours of live broadcasts each week. KFEQ has been a presence in the Midwest for over 80 years, reporting agricultural markets, news, weather, sports, and a variety of entertainment. In 1997, KFEQ formed the Ag Info Center network, broadcasting via satellite to nearly 20 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.
Brand served as the 2003 President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB), and traveled frequently throughout the year, reporting news to his listeners. His duties with the NAFB have allowed for travel throughout the United States, in Washington, DC, and internationally.
In 2003, Tom and his wife Beth became involved with a group of farmers and agribusiness people, helping to organize the Show-Me Tractor Cruise, a benefit ride for the children of Camp Quality of Northwest Missouri. The first Tractor Cruise attracted nearly 90 tractors and riders. With the matching donation of an anonymous donor, the Show-Me Tractor Cruise contributed $35,000 to the summer camp and year-round support program for children with cancer. It was the largest donation ever made to Camp Quality. The Tractor Cruise grew again in 2004, with 207 tractors and drivers raising nearly $50,000 for Camp Quality, and continued its growth in 2005 with 379 tractors raising nearly $60,000 for Camp Quality.
In his spare time, Brand enjoys spending time with his family. Tom and Beth have four children—Morgan, 12; Sylvia, 10; Alex, 9; and Zoe, 4. When not busy with work or family, you’ll find Tom programming pages for the KFEQ Ag Info Center website and the Show-Me Tractor Cruise, helping package items for his wife’s custom embroidery business, spending time with family and friends, or involved with activities at church.
Professional Honors & Awards
1996 National Association of Farm Broadcasters Horizon Award Winner
1998 Missouri Corn Growers Association Communicator of the Year
1999 Missouri Soybean Association Communications Award
1999 Missouri FFA Honorary State FFA Degree
1999 National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow Honored Professional Award
2000 American Corn Growers Association Voice of Agriculture
2002 Nodaway County Farm Advocate Award
2002 Missouri Farm Bureau Outstanding Service to Agriculture Award recipient
2003 National President, National Association of Farm Broadcasters
2003 Monsanto RoundUp Ready Corn Harvest Report Best Interview Winner
2003 National Farm Broadcast Service Best Interview South Region Winner
2003 Missouri Soybean Association Communicator of the Year
2004 International Association of Fairs & Festivals
Outstanding Media Commitment to Agriculture Programming Award
2004 National Farm Broadcast Service South Region Recognition Recipient
2004 Missouri Corn Growers Association Broadcaster of the Year
2005 National Farm Broadcast Service Contributor Recognition Recipient
2006 American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Media Excellence Award |
