Harry Siemens: A voice for farmers, a legacy of integrity

For more than five decades, veteran broadcaster and agricultural journalist Harry Siemens has been a voice for farmers, ensuring their stories are told with fairness, accuracy, and integrity.

His dedication to journalism and advocacy was recently recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, an honour presented through the office of Senator Don Plett.

The award acknowledges Siemens’ lifetime of contributions to agricultural journalism and his tireless efforts to bring news and information to the farming community.

The Winkler based Siemens, who began his broadcasting career in 1971, was both surprised and humbled by the recognition. “I got this letter from Senator Don Plett’s office, saying I was given this award for my dedication and service.”

He received his medal in Winnipeg on Feb. 8, alongside nine other recipients. Despite the honour, Siemens remains focused on the work that has driven him for most of his life: serving the agricultural community through honest and impactful journalism.

A lifelong advocate for farmers

Siemens’ career has always been defined by his unwavering support for farmers. “Number one, I’ve always been an advocate for the farmer,” he explained. “That’s always been my priority.”

Growing up on a family farm, Siemens developed a deep respect for the hard work and resilience required in agriculture. That respect shaped his career as he transitioned into farm broadcasting. His reporting has always aimed to provide farmers with clear, accurate information, delivered in a way that they can understand and apply to their own operations.

“To be an accurate journalist, you have to be fair and objective,” Siemens emphasized. His meticulous approach to journalism, including recording every interview to ensure accuracy, has earned him a reputation as one of the most trusted voices in farm media.

From farming to broadcasting

Siemens never set out to be a journalist. In fact, his original plan was to keep farming the 1,200 acres he shared with his father. However, his career took an unexpected turn when his father noticed a newspaper advertisement for a farm broadcaster position at Radio Southern Manitoba.

“My dad saw an advertisement looking for a farm broadcaster at Radio Southern Manitoba, and he urged me to go for it,” Siemens recalled. “I had never even considered doing something like that. But I applied, and a month later, Jim McSweeney called me and said, ‘You got the job.’”

That moment launched Siemens into a career that would span decades. He spent his early years at CFAM, waking up at 3:30 a.m. to deliver live agricultural reports. Over the years, he expanded into television, newspaper columns, and online journalism, always with a focus on rural life and farming issues.

“I worked as hard as I could,” Siemens said. “I remember when I first started at CFAM, and I would get a call from somebody saying, ‘Harry, what’s going on? What are you talking about?’ and I’d say, ‘Keep talking. My recorder’s rolling.’”

Communicating with Integrity

One of the most important lessons Siemens learned in his career came from his father. His father, who grew up near Altona, often struggled with English, which made Siemens rethink his communication style.

“My dad would ask me about something I said on the radio, and I realized if he couldn’t understand me, then I was wasting my time,” Siemens said. “So, I learned to communicate in a way that my dad could always understand, whether it was writing, broadcasting, or preaching.”

This realization shaped Siemens’ approach to journalism. His goal has always been to write and speak in a way that the average farmer could comprehend. He prides himself on writing for “the common man,” delivering the facts without embellishment or bias.

His goal, he says, is “Helping you help yourself.”

His motto: “A positive mental attitude, to encourage, inspire, and serve others, will motivate you to do your best. Be heard, understood and believed to make your point! It makes you the hub instead of the spoke.”

Expanding his reach

Over the years, Siemens branched out into television, fundraising, and farm advocacy. In 1991, he launched the Manitoba Farm Report, a television program that ran until 1998. He also coined the segment Siemens Says, which became a recognizable brand in farm journalism.

His involvement in agricultural media extended beyond Canada. He became a member of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in the United States, where he built relationships with industry leaders. “There were three or four guys that I’m still in contact with. They were broadcasters at WGN in Chicago. They were my mentors and helped me become a real broadcaster,” he said.

During a trip to Kansas City for an industry event, Siemens encountered a group of farm broadcasters who would change the trajectory of his career. “There was an issue at the border having to do with hog producers, and I was asked to speak at a business meeting about it. When I came out of there, there were 10-12 TV cameras waiting for me,” he recalled. “They were all farm broadcasters, and I talked to as many as I could. That taught me how to work both sides of the media.”

Siemens later became president of the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association and the Canadian Farm Writers Association. In both roles, he championed professional development for agricultural journalists.

Staying informed and connected

Siemens has always stayed ahead of the curve by embracing technology. “I bought my first computer in 1982, and every time the recorders got smaller, I’d buy another one,” he said. Today, he remains highly engaged on social media, using platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to connect with farmers and industry experts.

“I have 8,800 followers on Twitter, and I have almost 19,000 on LinkedIn,” he said. “I do regular surveys, ask questions, and I’m always reading. If I can’t be informed, then I don’t want to do this.”

Even now, Siemens continues to write for The Ontario Farmer, The Prairie Hog Country, and The Agri-Post, a publication he co-founded in 2021. He also hosts a Sunday morning farm report on CJOB, ensuring that farmers remain informed about the latest developments in the industry.

A life’s work rooted in faith

Throughout his career, Siemens has credited the love and support of his family, and his lifelong faith as the foundation of his work. “My service is to the Lord Almighty,” he said. “I dedicate everything to Him, and He keeps giving me life.”

Many Sundays will find him behind the pulpit at his local church.

Despite the accolades, Siemens remains humble. “I’ve never been one to seek recognition,” he said. “I just let it happen and keep doing what I love to do.”

For Siemens, the greatest reward has always been sharing the stories of farmers and making sure their voices are heard. “I love to tell the story,” he said. “I like to tell the story about farming, one farmer at a time.”