Booted from MPBN, Standish radio station picks up 'Humble Farmer'

The Humble Farmer will soon return to the radio airwaves at a Standish FM station after being booted by Maine Public Broadcasting Network last fall.

Robert Skoglund, 71, who gained worldwide recognition as the Humble Farmer on radio, was a guest Sunday on “On the Right Track,” a weekly show on WJZF 97.1 FM in Standish. His program, “The Humble Farmer,” will soon be heard five times a week over the Standish station and around the world on the station’s Web site.

Maine Public Broadcasting Network canceled Skogland’s program, “The Humble Farmer,” in November after 29 years. Skoglund said Sunday he was fired for political reasons, stemming from a recorded telephone message he once made asking people to support Democratic candidates. When asked off-air during a break in a taping session if he felt he was let go for political reasons, Skoglund replied, “I know.”

Program Manager Dave Patterson of WJZF, which is non-commercial and nonprofit, said the station doesn’t censor. “This is local, free speech radio,” Patterson said. ‘We’re honored to have him on the air. He’s an icon.”

Elaine Frazier, WJZF station manager, is elated Skoglund is joining WJZF, a 53-watt station that began broadcasting about three years ago. “It’s like getting a new car and going on your first ride,” she said.

Skoglund, a native who speaks with a distinct Maine dialect, appeared wearing a button-down collar blue shirt, blue tie, jeans with special pockets to hold pens and a notebook and sneakers. A self-described satirist, Skoglund keeps his notebook handy to jot down stories by Maine people. “I’m a conduit for what I hear,” he said.

He said people need to hear foolishness. “People need to laugh,” he said.

Skoglund read stories from typed scripts and commented on a variety of topics on Sunday’s program, hosted by Windham residents Tom Gleason and Lane Hiltunen, who said Skoglund was famous.

“I’d rather be rich than famous,” Skoglund said. “You can’t eat fame.”

The Humble Farmer radio program will be aired Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m.; Thursdays, 2-3 a.m.; Fridays, 7-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-noon; and Sundays, 8-9 p.m.

“The good news is the Humble Farmer is coming to JZF,” Hiltunen said.

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