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No, the title isn't a new curse word. It's the Swiss German term for farmers’ radio. Much has been said about the revival of seasonal produce, the rise of farmers’ markets and the convergence of urban and rural lifestyles. But little has been done to celebrate the farmers, their lifestyles and the important role they play in society, except for Buureradio, a Swiss Internet radio station.
I like its low-fi design and the quirky sections, like the clothing collection (Online-Shop) presented by real farmers and kitschy postcards (Postkarten). Even better, one can listen to the station while milking the cows (buureradio.ch im Stall).
I am not alone. When the station first went “live” in December 2005, the network was overloaded just minutes into the broadcast. Since then, Buureradio has attracted up to 20,000 daily listeners, hailing from as far as Australia, the U.S. and Thailand. Many are not farmers but tune in to stay in touch with Swiss news and traditional music, including yodeling, folk, brass band and country. Others turn to the station for such favorites as updates on Swiss wrestling, lonely hearts ads for farmers or tips from Grandma’s kitchen.
Bottom line, with or without cows, you are a welcome member of this passion group. Are you one of them?
PS. John Deere and Co., don’t you think there is potential for a U.S. version?
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