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How Orion became beloved in agricultureHow Orion became beloved in agriculture

Slideshow: Take a look through these photos from the beginning of Orion Samuelson’s 60-year career at WGN Radio, as he became a voice for agriculture — and “The Voice of Agriculture.”

Holly Spangler, Prairie Farmer Editor, Farm Progress Executive Editor

December 8, 2020

55 Slides
Orion Samuelson speaking at the Illinois State Fair

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Holly Spangler

It’s hard to describe exactly what Orion Samuelson means to the agricultural community, as he retires from 60 years on the air at WGN Radio and a 68-year career in broadcasting. Sure, he’s a trusted source of information and a cheerleader. But it’s more than that, says his good friend and partner Max Armstrong.

“All along the way, he became a champion for the American farmer,” Armstrong says, adding of Orion’s 50,000-watt broadcasts to the Chicago area and beyond: “He was an agvocate before it became fashionable.”

Woodstock, Ill., farmer Linnea Kooistra remembers well how she came to know Orion.

“We became close friends with Orion after we bought a dairy calf to raise money for ag scholarships. Big O was the master of ceremonies. He said at the auction that he would come out to milk the calf when it had its first calf. Two years later, he did,” she recalls.

“It was the start of several years that we hosted farm tours and breakfast on the farm during Harvard Milk Days. Orion was there every year, bringing along Bob Collins, Tom Peterson and other staff from WGN. People from as far away as Chicago came as early as 6 a.m. on buses just to see Orion and the cows being milked,” Kooistra describes.

“Our lives have been blessed with his voice on the radio educating and informing, but even more so by his integrity and friendship,” she concludes.

Read more: 
‘The Voice of Agriculture’ retires
What Orion means on the farm
Max on Orion: Champion for the American farmer
Orion Samuelson: Explaining agriculture to Chicago

Click through the slideshow for a look at Orion’s storied 68-year career in farm broadcasting:

 

About the Author

Holly Spangler

Prairie Farmer Editor, Farm Progress Executive Editor

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for over 25 years, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazine’s coverage. She currently serves as editor of Prairie Farmer magazine and executive editor for Farm Progress, managing editorial staff at six publications across the Corn Belt.

A University of Illinois agricultural communications graduate and award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. In 2015, she became only the 10th U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. She is an AAEA Master Writer and was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She serves on the Illinois 4-H Foundation and the Illinois Council on Ag Education. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, and more.

Holly and her husband, John, farm in western Illinois where they raise corn, soybeans and beef cattle on 2,500 acres. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. Locally, she serves on the school board and volunteers with 4-H and FFA. 

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