SDCGA honors KELOland for acre of corn program, ag coverage

The South Dakota Corn Growers Association has presented KELOland TV with its Excellence in Public Outreach Award. The recognition is given annually to journalists who go the extra mile in representing the agricultural industry to the public with fairness, accuracy and diligence.
As a key part of its ag coverage in 2010, KELO worked with the South Dakota Corn Growers and Corn Utilization Council to adopt one acre of corn in a field nine miles west of Tea.
Walt Bones, a farmer who recently was appointed the state’s secretary of agriculture, provided the acre of corn, and KELO followed the crop from planting season through harvest. Brian Karstens and the KELO crew provided reports from the field during different stages of the growing season.
“The program was unique and informative, and the reports from the field presented a behind-the-scenes glimpse of farm life,” said Gary Duffy, Corn Growers president. “We appreciate the opportunity to tell our story as farmers, to show an acre of corn from start to finish, and to let people know how efficiently we can produce their food and fuel.”
KELO presented seven Acre of Corn reports over the course of seven months. The corn was planted April 20 – 31,000 seeds in two minutes. It was harvested Oct. 21 and produced 211 bushels.
The $1,000 profit from the acre of corn was donated to be split among the Parker Food Bank, the Faith Temple Church food giveaway and the Special Olympics of South Dakota.