Former CBC commentator and founder of Farm Radio International George Atkins, 92, died of kidney failure on Monday morning in Wiarton, Ont. (CBC)

Former CBC farm commentator George Atkins died of kidney failure early Monday in Wiarton, Ont. He was 92.

Atkins, who owned and managed a small farm after graduating from the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, Ont., was CBC's farm and gardening host in the 1950s and 60s. He was also the founder of Farm Radio International, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last May.

The Ottawa-based non-profit organization, formerly the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network, collects advice from farmers and farming experts, produces radio scripts based on the information and distributes them to other broadcasters who reach millions of Third World farmers every month.

According to Farm Radio International's website, Atkins was on a workshop in Zambia in 1975 and travelling with two other farm broadcasters when he got the idea of sharing practical farm information with farmers around the world.

"I have to pinch myself now when I think of the people who are helped by this service, just by turning on the radio," he told Farm Radio International in a recent interview.

He would end every program with his signature signoff: "Serving agriculture, the basic industry. This is George Atkins."

Atkins' friend and colleague Glenn Powell said, "I will miss him dearly but it is comforting to know that his legacy lives on through the work and dedication of Farm Radio International."

Powell, who was recently made a board member, said he'll remember his friend's "love of farming and farming people," and his love of radio.

"He just saw radio as an opportunity to reach people, particularly in developing countries," Powell said.

Atkins is survived by his wife Janet and four daughters.