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Slideshow: Sure, he reported on agriculture to farmers, but Orion also explained agriculture to Chicago — and became a giant in the broadcasting community.

Holly Spangler, Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer

December 11, 2020

30 Slides

As Orion Samuelson reported on agriculture from WGN Radio’s 50,000-watt tower, he had the biggest consumer audience any agriculture advocate may have ever had. And he used it to the best of his abilities, constantly taking opportunities to turn a story on pork belly prices into an explanation of where bacon comes from.

Orion championed the farmer’s cause, says colleague Max Armstrong. Together, these two farm boys sat down every day in a studio in Chicago and talked about agriculture over hundreds of networked stations, explaining corn growing and beef demand to suburban housewives.

Radio greats like Paul Harvey called on them to explain issues and provide a counterpoint when the latest anti-ag book came out. And in the process, Orion became a beloved Hall of Fame member of the Chicago media community.

Check out the slideshow for a look back at his Chicago influence.

Read more:
‘The Voice of Agriculture’ retires
How Orion became beloved in agriculture
What Orion means on the farm
Max on Orion: Champion for the American farmer

About the Author(s)

Holly Spangler

Senior Editor, Prairie Farmer, Farm Progress

Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, 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 magazines throughout the eastern Corn Belt. She began her career with Prairie Farmer just before graduating from the University of Illinois in agricultural communications.

An 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 was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association.

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. The family farm includes John’s parents and their three children.

Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. They serve with their local 4-H and FFA programs, their school district, and are active in their church's youth and music ministries.

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