For over two decades, Janet Adkison, director of public affairs and advocacy for the Missouri Farm Bureau, has been a trusted voice for rural America, connecting the fields and farms to a global audience.  

In recognition of her outstanding impact and commitment to the agriculture industry, the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) honored her as a 2025 Hall of Fame inductee. She will be celebrated at the Night of Honors banquet on Nov. 20, during the 82nd NAFB Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.  

“This recognition, from people I’ve worked with for decades, is humbling. I’m surprised and thrilled to be included in the NAFB Hall of Fame, among people I consider as idols in the industry,” Adkison said. 

From a family farm to the airwaves

Adkison grew up on a family-owned beef farm in Houston, Missouri, where her journey in agriculture began. She spent her childhood summers exhibiting livestock and horseback riding, and from a young age, played an active role in her local Missouri FFA chapter.  

When she joined what was then Southwest Missouri State University in 1993, she started out as an animal science major. But she decided to switch to agricultural communications, graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 1997.  

“I started thinking of communications as a true career path at Missouri State when I was introduced to the diverse options within the industry, from public relations to advertising and many others,” Adkison said. 

After graduation, she began her career in broadcasting. She worked for several media outlets across the Midwest, including Arkansas Radio Network, Brownfield Network and many others.  

In 2013, she joined the Rural Media Group in Nashville, Tennessee, as a market reporter for Rural Free Delivery Television and Rural Radio on Sirius XM. The next year, she moved east to head the channel’s Washington, D.C., News Bureau, where she covered news stories on the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the White House and the U.S. Capitol. After two years, she transitioned to an anchor role for the Rural Evening News and Market Day Report, a position she held for nearly seven years at the main studio in Nashville.  

A lasting legacy 

Reflecting on her long career in broadcasting, Adkison expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the agriculture community.  

“I grew up in a rural agriculture community, and I see farm broadcasting as a chance to give back to those communities and the industry, by sharing information that helps them grow as we move into the future,” she said.    

In 2023, she stepped into her current role at the Missouri Farm Bureau, a membership-based organization that helps to amplify the voices of Missouri farmers. Here, she continues to shape the future of agriculture through her leadership.  

“We work to make sure people get information they need, whether that’s through our print magazine, our podcast or other outreach efforts,” Adkison said. “Sometimes that means providing updates for members and other times it’s about sharing important reminders, like exercising caution when harvesting during National Farm Safety Week.” 

A blueprint for impact 

Even after decades in the industry, Adkison remains motivated to learn. She believes there is always something new to discover, especially as technology continues to evolve and reshape the field.  

“The people working alongside you, even in the same field, all have something to teach you, just as you have something they can learn from,” she said. “It’s important to realize growth happens when we keep learning.” 

Having built lasting and meaningful relationships while at Missouri State, Adkison encourages students to focus on building their own networks. 

“The relationships you build with your peers and professors in college may be a valuable resource in your future career,” she said.  

Looking ahead, Adkison wants to continue making an impact not only by serving the industry, but also by mentoring the next generation. She aims to help young people see the vast opportunities before them, whether through internships, conversations or sharing of ideas. 

 Learn more about agricultural communications