ORION SAMUELSON

The best-known agricultural broadcaster in the country, Orion Samuelson has been heard over WGN since 1960 providing the Midwest farmer with agricultural news and information.

Born on a dairy farm near La Crosse WI, Samuelson considered becoming a Lutheran Pastor before deciding on six months of radio school instead. He spent his first eight years in Wisconsin at WKLJ/Sparta and later became program director for Appleton's WHBY. Prior to being named farm service director for WGN, Samuelson served as farm director of WBAY and WBAY-TV in Green Bay. Today Samuelson is heard over a syndicate of 260 stations airing his National Farm Report daily and with Samuelson Sez, a weekly series allowing Samuelson to offer opinions and observations on the agricultural community. Since 1975, he has produced and hosted U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television program seen on 190 Midwest stations.

Samuelson has been the recipient of countless awards and honors including the American Farm Bureau's Distinguished Service Award in 1998; the National 4-H Alumni Award; and he is the only broadcaster in the nation to recieve two Oscars in Agriculture - one each for radio and television.

Orion Samuelson was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.

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