DeLoss Jahnke: Media Award Recipient

November 30, 2020
A man in a red shirt is sitting at a table in front of an illinois corn growers association sign.

The Illinois Corn Growers Association’s 2020 Excellence in Media Award was given to DeLoss Jahnke, Network & Audio Services Anchor/Editor at RFD Illinois, at the virtual ICGA Annual Meeting today. The award is given each year to an individual who promotes Illinois agriculture and, specifically, Illinois corn and corn farmers, through their coverage in traditional media or through their engagement on social media.

 

“DeLoss is an important and valuable member of the Illinois ag media community,” said Bill Leigh, ICGA President and Minonk, IL farmer. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with him to share the work we’re doing for corn farmers in Illinois as well as opportunities for them to get more involved in the effort to support farm families.”

Jahnke holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and a master’s degree from Butler University. He has worked in the ag media field since 1997, including time at the National FFA Organization and at WMBD/WIRL prior to his RFD employment.

 

He grew up on a five-generation crop and livestock farm and shares his passion and love for farmers and farming in every broadcast.

 

“I feel comfortable when DeLoss interviews me. I know he’s a friend of agriculture and he will portray our issues with insight and professionalism. He has a quiet, confident presence that makes conversations flow and calms listeners. DeLoss is an asset to our industry and I’m very happy to honor his work with this award,” said Leigh.

Green combine harvester in a harvested field under a cloudy sky
By Lyndi Allen • September 23, 2026
Illinois farmers saw their earnings improve in 2025, but the latest data shows that farm profitability remains well below recent averages.
Dolly Parton Maze from All Seasons Orchard
By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026
A Woodstock, IL farm's Dolly Parton corn maze is one of 18 nationwide honoring the icon and benefiting her Imagination Library literacy program.
farmer next to engine with headphones on
By Tamara H. Thompson • September 22, 2026
Untreated hearing loss strains and shrinks the brain and drives social isolation, raising the risk of dementia but early treatment with hearing aids or other devices can help protect against it.
Steve Fourez
By Tara Desmond • September 22, 2026
A farmer's stroke went unnoticed until family and coworkers insisted he get help. His Safety Week story on why every minute matters
Sen. Celina Villenueva, Chris Gould, Orlando Rojas, Ambassador Reyna Torres
By Lyndi Allen • September 18, 2026
IL Corn joined partners and community leaders highlight the role of the Latino community in Illinois agriculture and labor.
Tugboat pushing a barge along a river at sunset, with a bridge in the background.
By Lyndi Allen • September 17, 2026
The House of Representatives took an important step towards strengthening the nation’s inland waterways by passing the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026
Show More