Life in agriculture revolves around seasons, and no one knows that better than farmers and ranchers. At Southwest Farm Press, a season is coming to a close.
For the last 41 years, Kim Anderson has penned the market column “Wheat Scoops,” which recently expanded to “Grain Scoops,” to include corn and sorghum. Since 1984, Kim has written at least one, sometimes two, columns per month. Throughout his tenure, he told me he’s only missed 10. He’s been a faithful contributor.
When I last wrote about Kim in July 2024, he was retiring from Oklahoma State University, where he had been a professor and Extension marketing specialist for 42 years. Kim, also a Navy veteran, was well known and adored by his students and colleagues.
Throughout his Farm Press career, Kim has written for three editors: me, Ron Smith and Calvin Pigg. When Calvin initially asked him to pen “Wheat Scoops,” Kim told him he’d write it if Calvin would teach him how to write. I met with him recently, and he was still making that same request.
For over four decades, Kim’s desire has been to provide producers with useful information they can refer to as they make marketing decisions. He told Ron in a 2024 interview that growers don’t want someone to tell them what to do but to confirm to them that what they are doing is OK. His goal is to tell them what they can do.
Over the years, as deadlines have approached, he notified me of his progress, if he’s battling writer’s block or whether he’s rolling with a topic. He’s never late. His wife, a retired English teacher, edits his columns before he sends them to me.
Beyond the data, Kim is an encourager. Whether in person or through email, he always has an uplifting word and a big smile to go with it.
When Kim retired from OSU and confirmed he’d continue writing “Wheat Scoops,” he agreed on the basis that if he or I decided “it was time,” to do something different, we’d tell each other. In November, he sent an email stating he was ready to “hang up his pen.”
He committed to staying until a replacement could be found, and he sent me contact information for a possible writer. He’s been adamant and proactive about not leaving his farmers, me or Farm Press in a bind. His final column will be published in Southwest Farm Press’ mid-December edition.
Kim, thank you for decades of reliable marketing analysis and practical advice that has helped generations of producers make informed decisions. You have been both a joy to work with and an invaluable asset to our publication and the industry. Enjoy retirement, and thank you for giving us the latest market scoop!