Behind the Scenes
Change in role for Brownfield veteran Tom Steever
Tom Steever joined the Brownfield team in August of 2003 after five years with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF.) On September 30, 2019 the veteran farm broadcaster is retiring from his full-time role as Anchor/Reporter and easing into a part-time position with Brownfield.
“I’ve been grateful to Cyndi Young, Director of Brownfield, for offering me a place among some of the most talented farm broadcasters in this business,” said Steever. “I’m doubly grateful to be given the opportunity to remain with the company while giving me time to do some things I’ve wanted to do.”
Tom Steever is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in broadcast journalism. His career in journalism began as a photographer for student-run publications in high school and college and continued with part-time on-air work for the campus radio station and commercial stations in Brookings and Sioux Falls.
“My farm upbringing in southeastern South Dakota prepared me to begin my farm broadcast career at KSOO in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, followed by livestock market reporting on dozens of Upper Midwest radio stations and on CBS affiliate KELO-TV in Sioux Falls,” said Steever.
Steever left South Dakota for a brief stint anchoring Channel Earth on DirecTV. He went on to do news part time at WLS in Chicago before joining AFBF.
During his farm broadcast tenure, Steever traveled extensively, covering stories in 15 countries, including Germany, China, Cuba and Brazil. He has been honored by farm and commodity organizations in South Dakota, Missouri and Illinois and awarded FFA Honorary Farmer Degrees at the chapter, state and national levels.
Steever has been member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting since 1976, serving as Regional Vice President (two different regions), National Vice President, President Elect and President (2012).
Tom’s wife Lori is a retired surgical technologist. Son Brian is a musician in Kansas City and daughter-in-law Katie, a dentist in Kansas City.
Brownfield will begin seeking applications for a full-time Anchor/Reporter in mid-July with plans to have someone hired and ready to assume those responsibilities on October 1, 2019.
Tags: Anchor/Reporter, NAFB, South Dakota, Tom Steever
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Congrats Tom
A pleasure meeting you and Lori and the rest of the family in Texas a few times.
You are a great entertainer also with a wonderful voice and personality.
Enjoy, Cam
Congratulations Tom. Retirement is great! I pulled the pin last spring and have thoroughly enjoyed it!