September 28, 2026
Saluki alumni to host ag show on WSIU-TV starting Oct. 4
Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumni Rob and Emily Sharkey will host “A Shot of Ag” at noon on Sundays starting Oct. 4, on WSIU-TV.
The 30-minute weekly program will focus on agriculture while also telling stories, said Rob Sharkey, a fifth-generation grain farmer from Bradford, Illinois, in Stark County. The 26-episode series will lead into the station’s “Market to Market” agricultural news program.
“We are excited to welcome ‘A Shot of Ag’ to WSIU-TV. Agriculture is an important part of the communities we serve, and this program brings a fresh, engaging approach to telling those stories,” Larry Hunter, interim executive director for WSIU Public Broadcasting Service, said.
“Rob and Emily bring both experience and a genuine connection to agriculture, making the program relevant not only to farmers but to anyone interested in the people, communities and stories that shape our region,” Hunter said. “We are pleased to have it lead into ‘Market to Market’ and further strengthen WSIU’s commitment to agriculture and rural storytelling.”
Program is about people
At its core, ‘A Shot of Ag’ is about people, Sharkey said, adding it’s important to remember that “everyone has a story, and agriculture is full of them.”
“While agriculture is the backdrop, the heart of our program is storytelling,” he said. “It’s about having real conversations with farmers, ranchers, and individuals connected to the land and food, who are navigating challenges, celebrating victories, and shaping the future of rural America.”
The program “is a fun, humorous, authentic look at farming and ranching and every sector of agriculture. It resonates not only with those in agriculture, but also with viewers who may be generations removed from it,” Sharkey said.
“As farmers ourselves, we understand the importance of telling these stories in a way that is genuine and respectful and are committed to delivering content that fits seamlessly into the trusted, educational, and inspiring mission of PBS,” he said.
Rob Sharkey earned his degree in agricultural economics; Emily Sharkey earned her degree in zoology.
The Sharkeys host multiple programs on various platforms: the SharkFarmer Podcast; SharkFarmer Radio on SiruisXM Rural Radio, and SharkFarmer TV on RFD-TV.