Agribition's longest serving agricultural news reporter recognized
On Friday, Canadian Western Agribition recognized its longest serving farm news reporter, Jim Smalley.
Smalley, who plans to retire next year, has been covering Agribition since 1975. The show has its newsroom facility in its honour.
“I never expected them to change the name of the newsroom to the Jim Smalley newsroom,” he said.
Smalley was also named an Agribition shareholder for his 40 years of farm news coverage on CKRM, which makes him an official member of the Agribition family.
“And they always felt he was part of the family because he was always there, I mean every Agribition since ‘75, Jim Smalley’s been there,” said Andrew Dawson, CKRM’s news director.
Jim Smalley first covered Agribition for CKCK Radio and television in the 1970s before moving to CKRM. His loyal following includes the province’s agriculture minister.
“I had the privilege of being interviewed by Jim many times and very professional and obviously agriculture is very near and dear to his heart,” said David Marit, minister of agriculture.
Those closely involved with Agribition say Jim Smalley knows the industry well.
“He had that passion and dedication for agriculture. He understood what was going in at Agribition,” said Art Unsworth, stock dog competition announcer.
Smalley was deeply moved by all the recognition.
“It’s an incredible honour,” he said “I am just so honoured to be here. It was just beyond description.”
This was Jim Smalley’s final Agribition as a reporter but he will stay on the air for a few months longer. He plans to retire next year, his 50th anniversary in broadcasting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.