The NAFB board of directors has approved the hiring of Gardner Hatch as the next executive director of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting.
Hatch brings 30-plus years of experience in public relations, agriculture marketing, and strategic communications to the role, having worked with some of the ag industry’s leading companies. Most recently, he was strategic marketing lead at Woodruff, an integrated marketing company specializing in agriculture. He also has held public relations and management positions at other ag marketing firms, including Bader Rutter, G&S Business Communications, and Fleishman Hillard.
Hatch holds a bachelor’s of journalism from the University of Missouri.
Additionally, Hatch recently completed a two-year term as an Allied Industry Council representative on the NAFB board of directors.
DRG Media Group News and Farm Director Jody Heemstra and American Ag Network Farm and Ranch Director/AOA host/MarketTalk host Jesse Allen are both NAFB members.
Hatch’s primary roles will be to oversee NAFB staff in their various roles as well as overall budget management for the association. He also will serve as the staff lead to the NAFB board of directors, responsible for providing adequate and timely information to the board on NAFB practices, budget, programs, and issues/concerns.
“Farm broadcasting has long been and continues to be a trusted source of timely and locally relevant information for America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,” Hatch said. “The future has never been brighter for NAFB. I am truly honored and tremendously excited to work with the staff and board of directors to build on the success of NAFB and secure an even brighter future for the membership, the association, and farm broadcasting.”
Hatch’s first day in the executive director role will be Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
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