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Ray Wilkinson Inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame |
Ray Wilkinson was inducted into the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Thursday, November 14. Ray was recognized for his service to the farmers and agribusiness community of the Southeast for more than 45 years.
Ray is a pioneer among farm broadcasters. He was one of the first farm broadcasters to develop multi-state, commodity-oriented radio networks and he anchored daily farm news reports on WRAL-TV. In his television career, Ray produced the first World Tobacco Teleconference in 1991 and the 1989 Corn Classic. He also has produced market development radio and television reports from Europe, Asia, Africa, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East.
Ray’s other honors include
- “Oscar in Agriculture” for Radio and Television in 1965
- “Farm Broadcaster of the Year” by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in 1975
- “Agricultural Communicator of the Year” by the National AgriMarketing Association in 1991
- “NCDA Friend of Agriculture Award” in 1990
- “Governor’s Award for Service to Agriculture” in 1990
- Inducted into the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1990
Ray retired from his position of Vice President/General Manager of Capitol Broadcasting Company’s Tobacco Radio Network in 1995. Even in retirement, Ray continues to host “Tobacco Talk” and work with the Tobacco Community Awareness Campaign on Capitol Broadcasting Company’s behalf.
