Radio Station WEKZ, located in Monroe, Wisconsin, began operation on July 28, 1951. It was established by the Green County Broadcasting Company composed of four local residents: Willard and Edward Shuetze, Kenneth Stuart, and Doran Zwygart. WEKZ concentrates on providing service tailored to the interests of its rural listeners in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Agricultural programming includes farm news and coverage of cornpicking contests, fairs, and related local activities. The station has styled itself the “Voice of Agriculture” and has won several awards from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. In addition, WEKZ covers a variety of non-farm topics of local interest, provides musical and other entertainment, and broadcasts local church services. WEKZ has expanded its operation over the years. In 1955 it increased power from 500 to 1000 watts; in 1958 it acquired a mobile unit to cover local events; and in 1959 the station began FM transmission that allowed it to expand to night-time service, thus adding sporting and council events to its regular fare.
