Al Gustin
Celebrating his 40th year of farm broadcasting in North Dakota, Al Gustin, may be considered “dean” of farm broadcasters in the region.. He has traveled across the country and around the world, reporting from trade missions to Egypt and Jordan as well as Japan and China.
With commitment and integrity, the programs Al has developed have made him a familiar face and trusted voice in farm communities across the region. He also writes a monthly magazine column and has spoken to many farm groups from local meetings to national conventions.
Born in 1947 and raised on a diversified Morton County farm, Al began his broadcast career in 1967 at KXJB-TV in Fargo, while attending North Dakota State University, where, in 1969, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics. While at NDSU, he was named “Outstanding Freshman” and “Outstanding Senior” in Agricultural Economics.
Beginning in 1970, Al served as Farm Director for KFYR Radio and TV in Bismarck. In 2002, he moved to Pro Radio in Bismarck and in 2004 became Farm Director for Clear Channel Radio’s Bismarck stations, KBMR and KFYR. His farm news programs can also be heard in Dickinson and Minot.
Al’s commitment to agriculture has not gone unnoticed. He has twice received the coveted Oscars in Agriculture for the best television farm programming in the nation. In 2004, he received the Shepherd’s Voice Award for Broadcast from the American Sheep Industry Association and was named Communicator of the Year by the National Association of Conservation Districts in 1985. Al received the Honorary American FFA degree in 2001 and in 2003 the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences enrolled Al in their “Silver Circle” for lifetime contributions to the television industry. In 2004, he received the “Pioneer Award” from the North Dakota Broadcasters Association.
Al was selected Agriculturalist of the Year by the NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Club in 2002 and received the John Lee Coulter Award for Achievement in North Dakota Agribusiness by the NDSU Agricultural Economics Club in 1986. He was named a “Friend of Extension” by the NDSU Extension Service and has been recognized for outstanding service by the North Dakota Crop Improvement Association, the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association, the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers and the state Milk Producers Associations.
For 37 years Al has been a member of the Agriculture Committee of the Bismarck/Mandan Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Focus Group for the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory at Mandan, ND; the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and a member and past officer of the North Dakota Gelbvieh Association. Al is a lector and member of the Parish Council for St. Anthony Church and a past member of the Advisory Board for the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Center, the North Dakota Vision 2000 Committee and the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Farm Safety.
Al remains an active partner in the Morton County farm, which is now owned and operated by his brother Dennis and his family. Together they raise small grains, row crops and hay and run a 240-cow herd of registered Gelbvieh cattle. Al and his wife, Peggy, have three daughters and five grandchildren.
