Orion Samuelson

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.  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 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 the Orion Samuelson Junior Livestock Building in recognition of 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.