Farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country. They rely on kHz-band broadcasts.
Now, they’re telling their story to Capitol Hill legislators by way of a letter encouraging them to get the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act approved by Congress.
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting, American Farm Bureau Federation, Agricultural Retailers Association, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, American Dairy Association, Corn Refiners Association, American Feed Industry Association, CropLife America, American Seed Trade Association, Farm Credit Council, Florida Sugar Cane Growers, American Sheep Industry Association, International Fresh Produce Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Milk Producers Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Cotton Council, Organic Trade Association, Texas Sugar Cane Growers, The Fertilizer Institute, U.S. Beet Sugar Association, and USA Rice have united in support of AM radio.
In a letter drafted Monday (12/18), they wrote to Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and to House Members Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) expressing their support for the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act — a hallmark legislative mission of the NAB under Curtis LeGeyt’s leadership.
“Our members rely on AM radio and the vital services it provides daily,” they say in the letter, calling AM radio “a source of weather, commodity, and national farm policy updates for our members.”
They discussed the importance of access to radio, and how “AM radio stations are unparalleled in their range.” They continue, “A single AM station can reach up to 700 miles
away and travel through barriers like mountains and buildings. When the power goes out, and cell towers go offline, radio is still available. While millions of rural Americans still lack
broadband service, rural and agricultural programming through AM radio helps keep rural
residents apprised of news that may impact their businesses, health care, education, and family.”
Among the communities reliant on AM radio is Jordan, Mont., the seat of Garfield County. Tourism guides call Jordan “your entry to some of the most remote and beautiful mix of deep river canyons, badlands and prairie wilderness in the west.” And, that remote atmosphere couldn’t be more apparent with its choices of radio stations.
At present, just 16 radio stations can be tuned in from Jordan — all on the AM band. Furthermore, just one — KATL-AM 770 in Miles City, some 83 miles away — can be clearly heard in Jordan. Seven of the AMs are located in Canada.
