Farm Radio International founder will be deeply missed
Date Posted: December 7th, 2009
George Atkins leaves legacy of ‘serving agriculture, the basic industry’
With deep sadness we announce the death of our founder, Dr. George Atkins, on November 30, 2009. George was 92.
George listened to farmers. We don’t think George ever met a farmer he couldn’t learn something from. And his best advice to broadcasters was just that: listen to the farmers.
As a young man, George graduated from the Ontario Agricultural College and managed a small farm. Through the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, he was well-known as a farm broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Always an advocate for farming and the family farmer, he signed off his radio reports with: “Serving agriculture, the basic industry. This is George Atkins.”
In retirement, George created the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (now known as Farm Radio International), in 1979. He found the inspiration to begin an organization dedicated to supporting farmers through radio while travelling on a bus in Zambia, seated between agricultural broadcasters from Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Since then, George has sustained Farm Radio International with his leadership, vision, and boundless energy.
Our thoughts are with his wife Janet, their four daughters, and their families, as they come to terms with the loss of a loving partner, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
At Farm Radio International, we will miss his regular encouragement, good humour, and sense of celebration. We are strengthened by the example of his persistence, and we will honour his memory in our work every day.
We know that George will also be missed by the many Farm Radio International partners who were touched by his life’s work. We received these kind remembrances from the field shortly after George’s passing:
“We thank God for the vision and charisma he gave him to bear such wonderful fruits such as Farm Radio International in this world. May God grant him eternal rest.”
-Emily Arayo Arineitwe, National Research Coordinator-Uganda, AFRRI
“We feel that farm radio throughout the world has just lost a library. In Mali, the elders usually say that ‘death may eat a man’s body and bones but it can never eat his name.’ The messages George left mean a lot to us. I add my voice to all those hoping for peace and justice for family farming in Africa and for Farm Radio. George, we love you and we are committing to pursuing your fight. Though victory may take time, we will get to it, through our efforts. Rest in peace.
-Modibo G Coulibaly, National Research Coordinator-Mali, AFRRI
Notes of condolence may be sent to George’s family through Farm Radio International. To do so, please contact Blythe McKay at bmckay@farmradio.org.
