Don Atkinson

 While a student at Texas A&M University, Don Atkinson had nearly 10 years of broadcasting experience under his belt when the on-campus office of the Extension Service hired him. Working in the radio-television department, Don helped to write and produce a weekly agricultural radio show for two years.  In 1992, Roddy Peeples gave him a job at the VSA Radio Network. Starting as the Market Director, Don worked his way up to host of the Midday Farm and Ranch Report in 1995. In 2001, he was promoted to Network Anchor. A voting member of NAFB since 1992, Don served as South Region Vice-President from 2000-2002.  As a farm broadcaster, Don has a strong background. While not raised on a farm, he grew up around agriculture. His grandfather and two uncles were Texas cotton and peanut farmers, another grandfather started a butcher shop and turned it into the biggest meat processing and distribution company in Bryan, Texas.  Trained as a journalist and mentored by Roddy Peeples and Ron Hays, Don was named South Region Farm Broadcaster of the Year for 2003.