The hall of fame broadcaster and Chicago media icon says he'll end his run at the end of the year. Through the years Samuelson has remained active in organization dear to his heart including 4-H and FFA. Max Armstrong was named an Honorary Master Farmer in 2018 by Prairie Farmer Magazine. Private burial will be held at Western Township Cemetery. "I couldn't believe it was happening," he says today. Before the program was over, hed scored a job at WKLJ in Sparta, Wis., less than 20 miles from the home farm. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. Sirott: Well, Orion congratulations. Samuelson held the same position in the broadcasting industry for 60 consecutive years through 2020,[9] second only to Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network announcer Vin Scully. Max Armstrong joined Orion at WGN in 1977, and as they spent the next 43 years together on air, they developed a seamless rapport. Armstrong was a member of NAFB for 40 years before being elected president. in 2005. Shes a beautiful lady and a beautiful partner, he says. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson was the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. On New Year's Day 2017, Orion will be alongside the Rose Parade route to co-host with Pam Minick RFD-TV's live coverage of the parade on January 1. He served as master of ceremonies for thousands of shows and crowned dozens of queens, using his own plane to travel efficiently. He also serves on the Farm Foundation Bennett Round Table, and is a former member of the board of the Agriculture Future of America, the Board of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, the board of directors of the Foods Resource Bank, a former trustee of the Cornerstone Foundation of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and a former member of the board of trustees of the National 4-H Council. Orions stories of growing up on the family dairy in Ontario, Wis., are familiar to listeners: 30 milk cows, six sows, 200 chickens, 200 acres but only 90 tillable. WGN Radios Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. "Well go back and forth to Arizona and not have to worry about setting the alarm clock and making sure Im ready for the next report," he said. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Whats been your reaction to this outpouring of love for you? I told him Ive done it and you can do it, too., Orion is one of the hardest working people youll every run into he has a tremendous work ethic, Armstrong said. Orion Samuelson - A life in photos - YouTube Read more:Orion Samuelson: Explaining agriculture to ChicagoHow Orion became beloved in agricultureWhat Orion means on the farmMax on Orion: Champion for the American farmer, Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer, Farm Progress. Samuelsen was a native of suburban San Francisco and attended college at Northwestern, before arriving in Detroit. Gloria took the sensible route, thinking it too taxing to campaign following a recent throat surgery. An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. Autobiography of Orion "Big O" Samuelson, radio broadcaster on WGN in Chicago for over 50 years. For 42 years, Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson have partnered together, first on WGN radio, and later on the TV Show U.S. Farm Report, until creating the show This Week in Agribusiness.[1]. Wellman farmer Clint Whetstine stands in front of destroyed pens and barns from tornado. We would talk about trade with China. Lions head coach Matt Patricia, on his own, called into 97.1 on Monday morning to share his sympathies. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. On the eve of his 60th anniversary as the booming voice of agriculture and business at WGN 720-AM, Orion Samuelson says it's time to retire from the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station. Theres a saying that todays news is tomorrows history, said Perdue. Feder: Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio - Daily Herald Samuelson: The biggest change, besides technology, it would be the fact that agriculture is international because when I started in the business, South America, Brazil, wasnt even in the soybean situation. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. WGN Radio's Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. Ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson will sign off after 60-year career Dairy industry works to build trust with Gen Z, 13 ways to have better conversations about ag, A bill that would kill large-scale livestock farms, Weekly grain movement: Corn exceeds expectations. For over 60 years, Orion Samuelson has been the voice on the radio and a trusted member of the farm family. If you eat, youre involved in agriculture is the line hes used thousands of times at such events. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. Orion is now single. That's because he'd dropped out as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin at Madison after only three months. The Tigers on Sunday held a moment of silence. It feels like a fairy tale! These days, Orion is dialing back obligations and busy recovering from back surgery. [2], Politically, Samuelson supported the production of ethanol fuel from corn, to help American farmers.[8]. CHICAGO (December 17, 2020) - WGN Radio announced that reporter Steve Alexander will assume responsibilities from agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson beginning in January. She spotted early signs of a serious illness one day in 2004, during a television broadcast. It wasnt what you would call prime farmland, he says. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. Radio greats like Paul Harvey called on them to explain issues and provide a counterpoint when the latest anti-ag book came out. A montage of photos of the life and career of WGN Radio legend Orion Samuelson.For more, visit wgnradio.com/orion. Max Armstrong's Tractor App received a Best of NAMA award, along with awards from the American Agricultural Editors' Association and American Web Design awards. Since July 2009, Armstrong has been director of broadcasting for Farm Progress. Samuelsen worked in the Detroit sports-media landscape since 1994, at a variety of radio stations, but most notable WDFN 1130The Fan and WXYT 97.1 The Ticket. You arent alone. All rights reserved. canceling National Barn Dance outright. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [3], Since August 2005, Armstrong has been co-host and co-founder of This Week in AgriBusiness, owned and produced with Samuelson. He will retire from WGNs airwaves on Dec. 31. combine platform head from Case IH on display at 2023 Commodity Classic, at the end of this month, recording a landmark 60 years on WGN and creating original television programs such as U.S. Once Samuelson started his job at WGN, it didnt take him long to realize that urban people didnt understand farmers or ranchers. And Im looking at that building, this monument that the man built for his wife. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. [7] The induction ceremony took place on May 27, 2016, where Armstrong was honored along with 6 others. And then Id drive 17 miles to the radio station, Id get home in time to help milk cows at night. The Radio Hall of Famer had said he hoped to be back on WGN in time to celebrate his 55th anniversary with the station September 25. Hes originated broadcasts from all 50 states and 44 countries. [3] He interviewed and or met every US president from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Donald Trump,[5] including John F. Kennedy (when he was still a Senator), Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton,[6][5] and finally, after he was 20 years out of the Oval Office, Harry S. [9], In 2015, Armstrong published his first book, titled "Stories from the Heartland. These stories were also translated into Max Armstrong's Tractor App, launched in 2013. Armstrong also hosts a three-minute feature, "Farming America", on the Tribune Radio Network. She also had high praise for his care at University of Chicago. And so even-tempered. In fact, it might be what they like about him best. Last check: 1 year ago. In 2017, Max Armstrong was elected President of the NAFB. But mainly, hes told agricultures story from downtown Chicago, where he became a media icon and a beloved hall of fame broadcaster. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. When they went on remote broadcasts, he included them in dinners. Samuelson is a 2003 National Radio Hall of Fame inductee. A. I was the youngest at the radio station by nine years, he recalled. In the clip the announcer says, "Now, here's Orion Samuelson," but Orion seems not to have heard! Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I love being in the countryside and on farms. Why? He also made history by being the first agribusiness broadcaster to be inducted into the National Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Orion's 'spirits are high' after surgery | Robert Feder Today, Samuelson and his wife live about 50 miles west of Chicago. Orion Samuelsons decades of agriculture reporting has helped farmers understand the latest Washington policies and he has also helped all audiences appreciate the importance of agriculture to our communities and to the economy.. In addition to working with farmers and ranchers, Orion Samuelson has also been involved with activities outside of the agricultural industry, including emceeing at the Tournament of Roses Parade with co-host Pam Minick. As a farm boy on a milk stool on a cold January morning in a barn in Wisconsin, I could have never dreamed I would have the opportunity to do what Ive done and meet the people Ive met.. Everyone loved him the engineers and everyone behind the scenes, he describes. According to the website, the country's best known ag broadcaster had deep roots in Wisconsin, with his first 4-H project being a Guernsey heifer calf. The money-saving move of starting at a community college rarely works as planned. Orion Samuelson is an American broadcaster most widely known for hosting U. S. Farm Report. Armstrong also was awarded an Alum Certificate of Distinction from the College of Agriculture and a Sagamore of the Wabash, given by the Governor of Indiana. Orion Samuelson, American broadcaster Country: United States Birthday: March 31, 1934 Age : 89 years old Birth Sign : Aries About Biography Orion Samuelson is an American broadcaster most widely known for hosting U. S. Farm Report. Like regular Orion, Air Orion will retire soon, too. So, its one of those what might have been stories but I value my relationship with my wife, Orion says, laughing. Orion Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, near LaCrosse. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. ORION-Richard Duane Samuelson, 93, of Orion, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at his home. Reliable and true., And quotable. As a kid, Orion served as "that voice on the radio" that I became . [5], In 2001, Armstrong was named Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the NAFB. In addition, the farm broadcaster also met several stars including Sophia Loren, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. You Can't Dream Big Enough - Goodreads Orion Samuelson is a 89 years old American broadcaster from . [1] He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. On December 9, 2010, the southwest corner of E. Illinois Street & N. Cityfront Plaza Drive was named 'Orion Samuelson Way' by the city of Chicago. It makes sense, he says. The president of WGN who believed firmly in serving the audience beyond Chicago out into the farmland of the Midwest didnt want a break in the farm broadcast coverage, Samuelson said. On the eve of his 60th anniversary as the booming voice of agriculture and business at WGN 720-AM, Orion Samuelson . Orion Samuelson - Wikipedia The voice of farm radio | Business | lacrossetribune.com "They werent teaching me to be a broadcaster, they were teaching me to be a writer. The engineers, stage hands and people on the air liked Orion, so it was much easier for me being the kid coming on board to slide right in because I was welcomed just by working with Orion.. In addition to that, Ive interviewed nine presidents, including George H.W.