Fast Facts

• Born from the Kentucky Afield Radio show which premiered in 1952. 
   
• Wildlife and TV?  This odd couple proved the perfect pair.  This was a bold step for a state government agency.  “We’re not in the TV business, we’re in the wildlife business and this is the best way to deliver the message of conservation to the people.” noted original host Ron Rhody. “Not only did the program have its finger on the pulse of those who loved to hunt and fish, it was fun to watch…and still is.”
   

Kentucky Afield TV Timeline:

• 1953 Kentucky Afield debuts on WAVE TV 3, Louisville

  Ron Rhody, Host.
  Harry Towles, (KDFWR Director of Public Relations) delivered the weekly fishing report
  Broadcast live - in studio - on Saturday mornings.
   

• 1957 Hope Carleton named Host. Hope hosted the Kentucky Afield for 23 years.
   
• 1980 Jeremy Drier named Host as Hope Carleton retires
   
• 1985 Drier strikes a deal with Kentucky Educational Television to air the show statewide
   
• 1988 Tim Michaels named Host.
   
• 1989 Dave Shuffett becomes the show's fifth Host.

  Accompanied by trusty companion Sam, a golden retriever.
  Magazine format adopted
   

• 1995 to Present - Tim Farmer hosts Kentucky Afield

"Kentucky Afield" TV Receives Two Emmy Awards

The Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored the “Kentucky Afield” television show with two regional Emmy awards during a presentation at the Cincinnati Westin Hotel Saturday, August 9, 2008.
 
Stories focusing on the work of Kentucky conservation officers and Tim Farmer for the varied hats he wears as host and moderator of the program add two more Emmys to the program’s mantel.

In the crime program category, Executive Producer Scott Moore followed Lt. Stuart Bryant with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Division of Law Enforcement while on patrol at Lake Cumberland Memorial Day weekend, the official opening of boating season. Boating under the influence and reckless operation is the leading cause of boating fatalities in Kentucky.

Farmer, who has hosted the show since 1995, never expected this distinction and this, his second, Emmy. In a composite assembled by program producers, it’s clear that the moderator of “Kentucky Afield” television, or any current events production, requires being articulate in a variety of forums and broad ranging subject matter, such as the state’s fish, wildlife, game laws and environmental issues.

The Ohio Valley Chapter presides over the 13 television markets in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia including Louisville, Lexington and Cincinnati. “Kentucky Afield” has now received a total of four Emmy awards.

“Kentucky Afield” is a production of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. It is the longest continuously-running outdoor television show in the nation. The program airs Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern /7:30 p.m. Central and is repeated Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern/3:30 p.m. Central on KET 1.

Long Live Outdoor TV
Kentucky Afield is the longest continuously-running outdoors television show in the nation. First airing in 1953, it is one of the very oldest television shows still airing on any subject.  Our research tells us it ranks 4^th.  Holding the record for longevity is Meet the Press (November 6, 1946), followed by the Today Show (January 14, 1952).  That’s good company! 

For local audiences in 1953, Kentucky Afield was popular right along side “I Married Joan,” Milton Berle, Groucho Marx, Fireside Theatre, and the Jack Benny Show.  While television has changed, the simple message of Kentucky Afield has not.  The sportsman’s dollar provides a benefit to the entire state in protecting our wildlife and providing nature-related recreation for us all.