Gale Cunningham, Farm Director of 980 AM WITY Radio in Danville, was named the 2009 Service to Agriculture Award recipient at the Illinois State Fair Agriculture Day Luncheon on August 18. The award is sponsored by Farm Credit Services of Illinois and recognizes individuals with extraordinary career contributions to the agriculture industry.Gale grew up in Iroquois County on a grain and dairy family farm where he developed a tireless work ethic and a genuine passion for agriculture. After attending college in Tennessee, Gale spent more than 25 years in the lending industry with both Farm Credit Services in the former Tuscola branch office and First National Bank in Watseka. He also helped operate his family’s farm while working for First National Bank.

In 2002, Gale went through the unfortunate life changing experience of losing his adult son, Tyson, and made a decision to re-direct his own life. He ended his banking career, rented his family’s farm to his nephew, and pursued a variety of agriculture service opportunities. In 2005, Gale was recruited to serve as the Farm Director for WITY Radio in Danville.

Since then, Gale has combined his love for farming, farm families, the livestock industry, 4‑H and FFA, and the agriculture industry and has become an effective and articulate voice and advocate for agriculture in east central Illinois and west central Indiana in his work as a farm broadcaster. WITY Radio has agriculture programming on the air every week day from 5am to 5pm, and early Saturday mornings as well. Listeners value Gale’s daily farm reports and his “Down on the Farm” show.

In June 2009, Gale was recognized by the Illinois Association FFA with an Honorary State FFA Degree. Gale credits his parents, Lee and Nellie Cunningham, and his grandfather, Hubert Echard, for his own agricultural passions. He gives a special tribute to his wife, Beth, for her partnership and support of his career. Gale and Beth reside in Tilton and have two married daughters and two grandchildren.

Farm Credit Services of Illinois is a farmer owned agricultural lending and crop insurance cooperative that serves 8,000 farm families, rural landowners, and agribusinesses in the southern 60 counties of Illinois.