Digiuseppe remembered for professionalism, knowledge of agriculture issues
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Longtime ag broadcaster Digiuseppe killed in Wednesday morning collision
- Heard on KARN AM/FM and Arkansas Radio Network
- Remembered as ‘a true professional’
(572 words)
(Newsrooms: ‘Digiuseppe’ with lowercase G is CQ; With file photo of Digiuseppe at www.flickr.com/photos/uacescomm/27300242602)
LITTLE ROCK – Those in agriculture are remembering reporter Gary Digiuseppe as “a true professional” whose knowledge of the industry was deeply appreciated.
Digiuseppe was killed in a vehicle collision Wednesday morning on his way to work as the morning newscaster for “First News with Kevin Miller” on KARN. He also provided daily newscasts for the Arkansas Radio Network, where he’d served previously as the network’s farm director. Digiuseppe spent more than three decades as agricultural reporter and had been a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting since 1983.
His work was also seen on the pages of “Arkansas Money & Politics” magazine.
John Jennings, extension forage agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, remembered Digiuseppe as “a true professional.” Jennings is one of the many expert sources within the Division of Agriculture interviewed by Digiuseppe during his decades covering crops, livestock and other issues.
“Gary was always that trusted voice of agriculture radio,” he said. “He would get your day started early with the latest news. He did a great job reporting on the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Conference every year. We did many interviews and he was always accurate and told the story of livestock and forages very well.”
Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the U of A System Division of Agriculture, said, “I considered him to be a good and true friend to the agriculture industry in the state of Arkansas. I always had the feeling he was looking out for the entire agriculture industry across commodities.”
Bob Scott, weed scientist for the Division of Agriculture, praised Digiuseppe for his knowledge of the industry and appreciated his ability to inform those in agriculture of critical issues such as the rise of herbicide resistant pigweed.
"I always found Gary's questions to be well-informed and his reporting of agriculture-related issues was always fair and balanced,” Scott said. “He was one that I certainly never minded talking to because I knew he would represent what I said accurately."
Scott’s colleague, fellow Extension Weed Scientist Tom Barber, said when Digiuseppe would call about weed control issues or updates on cotton production his questions always led to informative discussions which resulted in up-to-date information for Arkansas producers.
“I will miss the discussions with Gary over the phone and I feel that the agriculture industry in Arkansas has lost one of its biggest advocates today,” Barber said.
Jeremy Ross, extension soybean agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said no matter how busy things might be in the field, he always made time for Digiuseppe “because I knew the final product that aired on the radio would be top-notch.
"I always enjoyed being interviewed by Gary,” Ross said. “He was always well informed and asked pertinent questions about what was going on in soybean production in Arkansas.”
Ross said, “I've missed doing these interviews since Gary left ARN agriculture. We lost a voice for Arkansas agriculture when Stewart Doan passed away a few years ago, and now another well-known voice for Arkansas agriculture is gone with the unexpected passing of Gary."
Jason Kelley, extension wheat and feed grains agronomist for the Division of Agriculture, said he “was shocked to hear of Digiuseppe’s death.
“He was always on top of what was happening in the agriculture world throughout the growing season,” Kelley said. “He was a true asset to the agriculture community and will be missed.”
A release from Cumulus Broadcasting, KARN, the Arkansas Radio Network and the Cumulus Group of stations said “Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary Digiuseppe's wife, Mary, and the rest of his family as we all face the realization of the shocking loss of our co-worker.”
Funeral arrangements were pending.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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By Mary Hightower
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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