
Orion Samuelson
American agriculture broadcaster
- Lifespan
- March 31, 1934 – March 16, 2026Mar 31, 1934 – Mar 16, 2026
- Location
- Huntley, Illinois, U.S.Huntley, IL, U.S.

American agriculture broadcaster
Orion Samuelson, the revered voice of American agriculture broadcasting for decades, passed away on March 16, 2026, at the age of 91. Born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, on March 31, 1934, Samuelson's life was deeply rooted in the agricultural world he so passionately championed. His early experiences on the farm instilled in him a profound understanding and respect for the industry that would become his lifelong focus.
A childhood illness, Legg-Perthes disease, at age 14, prevented him from pursuing a physically demanding career in farming, inadvertently steering him towards broadcasting. After attending radio school, Samuelson began his career in Wisconsin, honing his skills at stations like WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. These formative years laid the groundwork for a distinguished career that would eventually make him a household name across rural America.
His defining move came in September 1960 when he joined WGN Radio in Chicago as its head agriculture broadcaster. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary 60-year tenure at the station, where his distinctive, booming voice became synonymous with agricultural news and information. He quickly became a trusted source for farmers and consumers alike, adept at explaining complex agribusiness and food production topics in an accessible manner. One of his first assignments at WGN was to emcee the long-running National Barn Dance.
Samuelson's influence extended beyond radio. In 1975, he launched and hosted the weekly television program "U.S. Farm Report," further solidifying his role as a leading agricultural communicator. His career was marked by extensive travel, taking him to 43 countries and allowing him to meet numerous world leaders and every U.S. Secretary of Agriculture since 1960, advocating for the farming community.
Throughout his career, Samuelson received numerous accolades for his dedication and impact. He was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003, a testament to his enduring legacy in broadcasting. In 2001, he was awarded the Order of Lincoln, the highest honor bestowed by the State of Illinois, recognizing his significant contributions to communication and agriculture. The city of Chicago also honored him by naming a street corner 'Orion Samuelson Way' in 2010.
Samuelson retired from WGN Radio on December 31, 2020, concluding an unparalleled six-decade career. In 2012, he shared his life story and insights in his autobiography, "You Can't Dream Big Enough." Even in retirement, his legacy continued to inspire, with the establishment of the Orion Samuelson Scholarship for students pursuing agricultural communications. He and his wife, Gloria, divided their time between homes in Huntley, Illinois, and Scottsdale, Arizona. Orion Samuelson's unwavering commitment to agriculture and his ability to connect with audiences left an indelible mark on the industry and countless lives.
Those who wish to honor Orion's memory are invited to .
Remembering those we recently lost
Plant the first tree in their honor
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Thank you so very much for brining farming to the masses Orion. Your service to America me be forgotten but, not with me
I was student pastor (intern) in Zion Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI in 1956-57. Orion and his first wife, Nancy, were members of that church and we became acquainted and friends before they moved to a Green Bay, WI. After we moved to Kankakee, IL, he secured tickets to WGN's "Bozo Circus" a couple of times for our family. My name is Frank D. Pieper, Hopedale, IL.
My grandfather Walter Kowalski was a WGN radio reporter on farm reports and I remember hearing Orion as well. My condolences to another legend.
His voice helped support me for several decades while milking-feeding cows before dawn. And listening to him on those dark mornings in the winter really made an indelible mark on me as a teenager. He unknowingly helped me to understand how important those responsibilities I had really were. His booming voice was something I really appreciated back then
I was honored to be Orion's pilot for four years when he started flying "Air Orion", which was his and Paul Wallem's Cessna 210. Many, many enjoyable speeches I heard him give. He was the best. Our trips together, flying Orion back to Chicago late at night from various locations in the midwest remain vivid in my memory. Our trips to Westby, WI to visit Orion's parents was always special God Bless you Orion on your journey into 'Heaven'. Thank you for the wonderful memories I was privilege to have at your side. Major Bob, now "The Ancient One"
Always enjoyed watching \listening to him every Sat …sorry for the loss of a wonderful man.
watched him on "top o the morning" before ray rayner. his best programs had students from the FFA and 4H come in and talk about their projects during their annual conventions. during the summer of 2024, as i was taking the train across illinois, my youngest son asked "i know the tall stuff is corn, what is the short stuff?" so i told him about soybeans, and how they pumped nitrogen into the soil and crop rotation between soybeans and corn. he asked "how do you know this?" and i said "top o the morning, with orion sameulson"
Orion was a giant in the farm broadcasting field. The accolades he's received pale in comparison to the enormous legacy he leaves us. In 1986 he was initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and helped with our successful effort to bring the AGR national convention to Wisconsin in 1988. My brief career in broadcasting was followed by a stint at a Chicago ad agency, where I could listen to Orion live on the air. In a sense, Orion never left the Driftless Area farm where he grew up. Orion, you were one of a kind and will never be matched. Rest In Peace.
I watched Orion on the farmers report as a child. I still refer to him occasionally in discussions. A very loved man that was honorable and respected by so many people and he'll be remembered by so many. He had such an impact on so so many lives. My thoughts and prayers for you. May peace be with you. Love, Lisa Grassmuck
Orion's love of agriculture is unmeasured. I grew up listening to him on my dad's truck/tractor radio as a child. He was a role model. Then in 1993, I got to meet him. My job with the Wisconsin DATCP, as Alice in Dairyland, meant that I got to do live radio with him. I honored him with the Friend of Alice award in 1994. He held my oldest son, at 6 months old, at the Wisconsin State Fair and my family and I visited with him many years at the Wisconsin and Illinois State Fairs. He graciously met my husband and I for drinks downtown Chicago. His legacy lives on in FFA and 4-H members across the United States and beyond. His support of agriculture and future agriculturists makes him one-of-a-kind and he will be missed.
Thank you so very much for brining farming to the masses Orion. Your service to America me be forgotten but, not with me
I was student pastor (intern) in Zion Lutheran Church, Appleton, WI in 1956-57. Orion and his first wife, Nancy, were members of that church and we became acquainted and friends before they moved to a Green Bay, WI. After we moved to Kankakee, IL, he secured tickets to WGN's "Bozo Circus" a couple of times for our family. My name is Frank D. Pieper, Hopedale, IL.
My grandfather Walter Kowalski was a WGN radio reporter on farm reports and I remember hearing Orion as well. My condolences to another legend.
His voice helped support me for several decades while milking-feeding cows before dawn. And listening to him on those dark mornings in the winter really made an indelible mark on me as a teenager. He unknowingly helped me to understand how important those responsibilities I had really were. His booming voice was something I really appreciated back then
I was honored to be Orion's pilot for four years when he started flying "Air Orion", which was his and Paul Wallem's Cessna 210. Many, many enjoyable speeches I heard him give. He was the best. Our trips together, flying Orion back to Chicago late at night from various locations in the midwest remain vivid in my memory. Our trips to Westby, WI to visit Orion's parents was always special God Bless you Orion on your journey into 'Heaven'. Thank you for the wonderful memories I was privilege to have at your side. Major Bob, now "The Ancient One"
Always enjoyed watching \listening to him every Sat …sorry for the loss of a wonderful man.
watched him on "top o the morning" before ray rayner. his best programs had students from the FFA and 4H come in and talk about their projects during their annual conventions. during the summer of 2024, as i was taking the train across illinois, my youngest son asked "i know the tall stuff is corn, what is the short stuff?" so i told him about soybeans, and how they pumped nitrogen into the soil and crop rotation between soybeans and corn. he asked "how do you know this?" and i said "top o the morning, with orion sameulson"
Orion was a giant in the farm broadcasting field. The accolades he's received pale in comparison to the enormous legacy he leaves us. In 1986 he was initiated into Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and helped with our successful effort to bring the AGR national convention to Wisconsin in 1988. My brief career in broadcasting was followed by a stint at a Chicago ad agency, where I could listen to Orion live on the air. In a sense, Orion never left the Driftless Area farm where he grew up. Orion, you were one of a kind and will never be matched. Rest In Peace.
I watched Orion on the farmers report as a child. I still refer to him occasionally in discussions. A very loved man that was honorable and respected by so many people and he'll be remembered by so many. He had such an impact on so so many lives. My thoughts and prayers for you. May peace be with you. Love, Lisa Grassmuck
Orion's love of agriculture is unmeasured. I grew up listening to him on my dad's truck/tractor radio as a child. He was a role model. Then in 1993, I got to meet him. My job with the Wisconsin DATCP, as Alice in Dairyland, meant that I got to do live radio with him. I honored him with the Friend of Alice award in 1994. He held my oldest son, at 6 months old, at the Wisconsin State Fair and my family and I visited with him many years at the Wisconsin and Illinois State Fairs. He graciously met my husband and I for drinks downtown Chicago. His legacy lives on in FFA and 4-H members across the United States and beyond. His support of agriculture and future agriculturists makes him one-of-a-kind and he will be missed.