National Association of Farm Broadcasting

What National Association of Farm Broadcasting does

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional organization founded in 1944 and headquartered in Platte City, Missouri. Its mission is to lead, promote, and support growth in agricultural and rural broadcasting for the benefit of its members, audience, and industry. NAFB serves four primary member segments: farm broadcasters, agricultural media buyers and advertisers, allied industry companies and associations, and students in agricultural communications, with a combined membership base of more than 160 broadcasters, 40 radio/TV networks, 65 radio stations, and 175 ag businesses and associations. Member programming reaches approximately 3.18 million U.S. farmers and ranchers daily on more than 1,500 stations and was ranked the #1 source for daily ag news in a 2025 Kynetec Research study.

NAFB's product portfolio includes NAFB Planner (a web-based media-planning platform combining member-station and network-affiliate data for media buyers), NAFB News Service (a broadcast-ready news distribution service connecting agribusiness with member stations via per-release fees), and Farm Radio Connects (a proprietary listenership research initiative). The organization also operates a recurring event portfolio anchored by the annual NAFB Convention in Kansas City (82nd edition held in 2025 with 700+ attendees), Washington Watch in D.C., Trade Talk (a 6.5-hour intensive interview event producing 2,500+ interviews), and Issues Forum.

Revenue is generated through six streams: membership dues (subscription), event sponsorships and convention registration (one-time and sponsorship), NAFB News Service per-release fees (transactional), NAFB Planner access subscriptions, and NAFB Foundation contributions (scholarship/auction fundraising that supports the foundation's $1M+ cumulative scholarship and internship grant program since 1977). Go-to-market is community-led via membership applications and event-driven via convention sponsorship. No public financial figures, headcount, or investor backing are disclosed; the organization is member-governed with no parent company.

Name

National Association of Farm Broadcasting

Legal name

National Association of Farm Broadcasting

Website

https://nafb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1944 that serves farm broadcasters, ag media buyers, allied industry companies, and students, operating the NAFB Planner media-planning platform, NAFB News Service, Farm Radio Connects research, and a portfolio of annual industry events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Broadcasting Association

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture, Farming & AgriTech Shows Organizers (THAHABAM)

Keywords

• Farm broadcasting association
• Agricultural media planning
• Ag news distribution
• Professional trade association
• Agricultural communications

Headquarters

HQ city

Platte City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from farm broadcasters, ag media sales and marketing professionals, allied industry companies, associations, and students in agricultural communications.
2. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from NAFB Convention, Washington Watch, and Trade Talk events. Companies sponsor to network with 700+ agricultural industry leaders and connect with farm broadcasters who reach millions of farmers and ranchers.
3. NAFB News Service Distribution: One-time fee per news release for distribution to all NAFB Broadcast Council members, with usage reports provided following distribution. Allows associations, organizations, and companies to deliver broadcast-ready content.
4. NAFB Planner Access: Media planning resource subscription for media buyers, advertising and public relations professionals to target key audiences and geographies.
5. Convention Registration: Registration fees for NAFB Convention attendees, including early bird registration options.
6. Foundation Contributions: Corporate donations, booster club contributions, and funds raised during the foundation's annual auction to support scholarships and internship grants. While not direct revenue for NAFB operations, these contributions support the organization's educational mission.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit professional organization that provides membership services, industry events, professional development, and media resources to farm broadcasters and the agricultural community. Its key offerings include the NAFB Planner (a web-based media planning platform for targeting ag audiences), the NAFB News Service (broadcast-ready news distribution reaching 3.18 million U.S. farmers and ranchers daily), and flagship events such as the NAFB Convention, Washington Watch, and Trade Talk.

Product overview

The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) operates as a professional membership organization rather than a technology product company. Its core offerings center on membership services for farm broadcasting professionals, including the NAFB Planner (a media planning resource for targeting key audiences and geographies), the NAFB News Service (broadcast news distribution reaching 3.1 million farmers and ranchers daily), and Farm Radio Connects (research studies on listenership). The organization also hosts major industry events including the annual NAFB Convention in Kansas City, Washington Watch in D.C., Trade Talk, and Issues Forum. Through the NAFB Foundation, the organization provides scholarships and internship grants for agricultural communications students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Farm Radio Connects: NAFB research initiative focused on farm radio listenership and media effectiveness.

Products and services

• NAFB Planner A web-based media planning resource for media buyers, advertising, and public relations professionals that combines critical data points to assist in building media plans targeting key geographies and audiences based on NAFB member stations and network affiliates.
• NAFB News Service A broadcast news distribution service connecting the agriculture industry with 3.1 million U.S. farmers and ranchers daily through member programming on more than 1,300 stations nationwide, distributing broadcast-ready news stories from industry partners for a one-time fee per release.
• Farm Radio Connects A national listenership research initiative providing data on farm broadcasting audience reach and effectiveness, including annual studies conducted by Kynetec Research on farmer and rancher media consumption habits.
• NAFB Convention The organization's annual flagship convention held in Kansas City, providing professional development, networking, awards, and newsmaker sessions for farm broadcasting professionals, attracting 700+ industry leaders.
• Washington Watch An annual event held in Washington, D.C. that brings broadcasters and allied industry members to meet with government officials and legislators shaping agriculture policy, including USDA headquarters visits.
• Trade Talk A major industry event during the NAFB Convention featuring more than 2,500 interviews conducted during a 6.5-hour period, connecting industry representatives with farm broadcasters.
• Issues Forum An event providing an opportunity for company representatives to be interviewed by 30+ farm broadcasters conducting hundreds of interviews during a 3-hour event, with limited exhibitor space.
• NAFB Webinars Online professional development sessions and workshops provided to NAFB members for career advancement in farm broadcasting.
• NAFB Membership Program A professional membership program serving farm broadcasters, ag media sales and marketing professionals, allied industry companies and associations, and students studying agriculture communications, with multiple membership categories.
• NAFB Foundation A foundation providing college scholarships and internship grants to assist students and young professionals in careers in agricultural communications, having funded more than $1 million since 1977.

Quantifiable outcome

• Farm radio reaches 3.18 million U.S. farmers and ranchers daily
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DuPont Pioneer (now Corteva)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2014DuPont Pioneer (now Corteva) provided $1,000 grants to 10 NAFB stations and networks for internship programs through the NAFB Foundation. The program helped cover expenses for interns seeking on-the-job experience in agricultural broadcasting, supporting the next generation of agricultural communicators.
• Agri-Pulse CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgri-Pulse Communications sponsors the prestigious Doan Award, named after Stewart Doan, former farm broadcaster and senior editor at Agri-Pulse who passed away in 2012. The award recognizes excellence in farm and rural policy news reporting.
• NCBAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCBA hosts the rooftop reception during Washington Watch programming at their headquarters, connecting broadcasters with cattle industry leadership and policy discussions.
• USDAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington Watch includes USDA headquarters visit and press conferences, providing NAFB broadcasters access to agricultural policy officials and announcements.
• Kynetec ResearchminorOthersConducted the 2025 national listenership research study of 1,001 farmers and ranchers to understand farm radio audience and trust levels.
• United Soybean BoardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Soybean Board won 2026 PRWeek Award for seed oil communications campaign. NAFB member Paul Murphy-Spooner serves as senior director of external communications, demonstrating collaboration in agricultural communications.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• National Farmers Union: A U.S. family-farm advocacy organization providing farmer representation, education, and grants. Comparable as a 501(c)(6)-style agricultural association; sponsors broadcast awards (Milt Hakel Award) and shares the ag-broadcaster relationship model.
• Farm Journal Media: One of the largest U.S. agricultural media companies producing television (AgDay TV, U.S. Farm Report), print, and digital ag content. Comparable as an established ag-broadcasting/media business with similar audiences and advertiser relationships, though structured as a for-profit media company rather than an association.
• DTN / Progressive Farmer: A major agricultural information business delivering market data, weather, and ag news across digital and broadcast channels. Comparable as a competing ag-media/news distributor reaching farmers and ranchers, with overlapping advertiser demand.
• American Farm Bureau Federation: The largest U.S. general farm organization representing farmer/rancher members nationally. Comparable as a membership-driven agricultural association with advocacy, events, and media engagement, though broader in scope than broadcasting.

Emerging players

• Ag Media Council (Livestock Publications Council): A professional association for livestock/agricultural publication editors and publishers. Comparable as a niche ag-media membership organization with events and awards serving an adjacent communications constituency.
• Agricultural Relations Council: A U.S. professional association for agricultural public relations professionals. Comparable as a smaller, specialized ag-communications membership organization with events, awards, and professional development serving an overlapping but distinct audience.

Direct peers

• National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA): The leading U.S. professional association for agri-marketing professionals. Closely comparable membership/event/business model serving the agricultural marketing ecosystem with overlapping member base of ag media sales and allied industry partners.
• National Association of Broadcasters: The largest U.S. trade association for broadcasters. Directly comparable as a professional membership organization serving broadcast industry members with conventions, advocacy, and professional development, though covering all broadcasting rather than specializing in agriculture.
• Agri-Pulse Communications: An agricultural policy-focused media company (newsletter, broadcast, digital). Comparable as an ag-news content producer serving broadcaster and agribusiness audiences; partners with NAFB (sponsors the Doan Award) and shares editorial overlap with NAFB News Service.

Regional players

• Brownfield Ag News: A network of farm radio stations and ag news service based in the U.S. Midwest. Comparable as a member of NAFB and direct producer of farm broadcasting content, representing the type of broadcaster NAFB serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-association-of-farm-broadcasting

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Association of Farm Broadcasting