KZFR Community Radio is an essential, independent source of news and cultural content for the communities of northern California. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteer programmers, committee members and staff we have been able to fulfill our mission to educate, enlighten, inform and entertain our listeners for over 30 years. Together we are The Mighty Zephyr!
PEOPLE POWERED RADIO
KZFR 90.1FM is a community radio station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as a “non commercial educational” station. We are a registered 501c3 California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation producing local content for the public airwaves. We are guided by a dedicated volunteer
Board of Directors who supervise/advise a
General Manager and paid
staff people.
We’re dedicated to providing information to our Community and promoting diverse local music. Our programming and partnerships seek to reflect the needs of the Northern Sacramento Valley, the Foothills, and Beyond. Most Programming is produced by members of our community and is community oriented. Programming produced outside our community provides information on issues affecting the region.
KZFR operates with the support of approximately 120 community volunteers who provide a wide variety of music
programming as well as local public affairs and information programs. These volunteers also assist a small paid staff with fundraising, outreach and events for the northern Sacramento Valley and beyond. Agreement with the principles and goals of KZFR is the sole criteria for participation. Together we are KZFR The Mighty Zephyr!
MISSION STATEMENT
It is the Mission of KZFR to enlighten, entertain, inform and educate our listeners in support of community. In order to do this, we will:
• Train members of the community in best broadcasting practices and the use of the radio medium
• Provide alternative news and information
• Promote the expression of ideas without close creative control or commercial consideration
• Maintain an organization that reflects the diversity of interests in the station’s broadcast area
• Develop working relationships with other community organizations
• Cultivate a respectful and collaborative working environment
• Develop adequate financial support from the listeners we serve
Our transmitter is located on Nimshew Ridge, California, overlooking the Northern Sacramento Valley. KZFR Community Radio, FM 90.1, broadcasts with 6300 Watts of throbbing power!
THE FOUNDERS
KZFR Community Radio began broadcasting July 6th, 1990 after years of hard work by some very dedicated pioneers. Erik Mathisen, Lee Edwards and Lars Larson are regarded as the prime movers who got the ball rolling. Erik is often called the Father of KZFR. They originally set out in 1981, to build a translator service to bring the signal of
KPFA from Berkeley to the North State. The project veered off in a new direction when a KPFA volunteer asked, "Instead of taking our programming, wouldn't it be better to create programming that reflects your community?" At that moment, they set their sights on building a unique community radio station. It took nine years to secure the necessary permits and finances to build the station now known as KZFR “The Mighty Zephyr”!
Keep the legend alive! If you were a Programmer or supporter in the early years of KZFR, we'd love to hear your story. Please, email grant@kzfr.org to schedule a meeting.
UPDATES
On Monday, June 21, 2021 Golden Valley Community Broadcasters, licensee of KZFR, 90.1FM, Chico, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a license renewal. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions on the application can visit publicfiles.fcc.gov, and search in KZFR public file.
To view KZFR's Public Documents, please, click here.
