Orion Samuelson
As America's best known and the most widely followed agricultural broadcast journalist, Orion Samuelson was heard by millions on WGN Radio, Chicago, and his two nationally syndicated radio stations.
Price range
- Call for fees.
Expert
- Agriculture
- Future
- Humor
- Master of Ceremonies
- Media
- Motivation
Experience
- Agriculture
- Media
- Telecommunications
Career
- 65 Years
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About
Orion Samuelson, a name synonymous with agricultural broadcasting, was heard for decades on WGN Radio in Chicago, where he served as Agribusiness Director since 1960. Although he has significantly reduced his public speaking and appearances in recent years, Orion made his mark with 18 agricultural reports daily on WGN, along with his syndicated National Farm Report and Samuelson Sez commentary programs, which were broadcast across various radio stations.
Orion’s lifelong commitment to agriculture has earned him widespread recognition across the industry. In 1998, the American Farm Bureau Federation awarded him the AFBF Distinguished Service Award. In 1997, Illinois Governor Jim Edgar honored him by renaming the State Fair Junior Livestock Building to the Orion Samuelson Junior Livestock Building, recognizing his decades of dedication to agricultural youth in Illinois.
In 2001, Orion received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Illinois, and in 2003, he became the first Agribusiness Broadcaster inducted into the National Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was presented with this prestigious award by Hall of Famer Paul Harvey during a national radio broadcast hosted by Larry King. Additionally, Orion is a member of several prominent halls of fame, including the Illinois Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame, the National 4-H Hall of Fame, the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame, and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Over the years, Orion traveled to 43 countries to cover global agriculture, including four official agricultural trade missions with the Secretary of Agriculture.
Outside of broadcasting, Orion served as a past chairman of the Board for the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation and has been involved with organizations like the Farm Foundation Bennett Round Table, Agriculture Future of America, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, the Foods Resource Bank, and the National 4-H Council. Orion was also a Trustee of the Cornerstone Foundation of Lutheran Social Services in Illinois.
In 2012, Orion added author to his list of accomplishments with the release of his autobiography, You Can’t Dream Big Enough, which has inspired countless young people to pursue their dreams.
Though Orion is now enjoying a quieter life, his decades of contributions to agriculture and broadcasting continue to resonate with audiences and professionals alike.
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Video Clips
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Topics
YOU CAN’T DREAM BIG ENOUGH!
*Virtual Only*
Orion Samuelson and our Agricultural industry both share humble beginnings. Today, both are giants.
For sixty years, after leaving the Wisconsin dairy farm, Orion has traveled to every state and 44 countries to cover the story of agriculture and share it with his audience on radio & TV, 52 of those years at WGN Radio in Chicago where he still reports business & agribusiness news 16 times a day.
As Paul Harvey said “Orion could have been our nation’s Secretary of Agriculture under any of three presidents. But, he was too smart for that.”
In this presentation, Orion will share the lessons learned, as well as some lessons forgotten, about his career, our growing industry, the great opportunities ahead; and shows that as citizens, neighbors, farmers, and an industry, we really can’t dream big enough. Oh, and with his Norwegian heritage, you might hear an Ole/Lena story or two.