Updated Dec. 2 — Retired CBC farm broadcaster George Atkins, a founder of what’s now Farm Radio International, died Monday of kidney failure in Wiarton, Ont.
Atkins, who grew up on a family farm near Oakville, Ont., operated a small farm after graduating from the Ontario Agricultural College and went to work in ag broadcasting, first at CHCH-TV in Hamilton and then, in 1955, at CBC Radio.
Atkins, who retired as CBC’s senior farm commentator in 1980, became known as the “commentator with the smile in his voice,” according to the Ryerson Review of Journalism. He was known in part for his signature sign-off, “Serving agriculture, the basic industry. This is George Atkins.”
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According to Farm Radio International, Atkins was travelling in Zambia by bus in 1975 as part of a workshop event for the Commonwealth Broadcasters’ Association, when he and two other ag journalists first considered the idea of a worldwide exchange of practical farm information.
“His colleagues in developing countries were telling their audiences about commercial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and tractor maintenance: information about expensive techniques that they could not afford, wasted on the poor farmers who listened to their radio programs,” the farm network said.
“What the broadcasters needed, they agreed, was appropriate information about affordable techniques, such as how to fertilize their crops with animal manure or compost, or how to raise oxen.
“George was convinced that the information they needed was waiting to be found: in the next village, or a neighbouring country, or even halfway around the world.”
CBC’s mandate did not include the sort of service Atkins had in mind. By 1978, however, according to Ryerson’s Review, Atkins had helped arrange funding from ag equipment manufacturer Massey Ferguson (to whom he was seconded for a research project on the greenhouse effect and climate change) for a seven-week worldwide feasibility study.
In 1979, the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network began delivering packages of scripts to 34 broadcasters in 26 countries.
The later-renamed Farm Radio International marks its 30th anniversary in operation this year. Over 250 participating radio partners in over 35 African countries now help gather and share practical information for farmers, the organization said.
“George’s loss will be deeply felt by many, literally around the world,” because of his efforts in founding the network, the Canadian Farm Writers Federation said Tuesday of its oldest member.
Atkins is survived by his wife and four daughters. His oldest granddaughter Sarah Andrewes, a vice-president at public relations firm Hill and Knowlton, currently sits on Farm Radio International’s board of directors.
Farm Radio International recently published a video featuring Atkins discussing the organization and its origins. The video is currently available on YouTube.
According to Andrewes, a memorial service for Atkins is to be held Jan.23, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Zion-Amabel United Church in Sauble Beach, Ont. The family has asked that donations in Atkins’ memory be directed to Farm Radio International.
