Orion Samuelson, ‘the Voice of Agriculture,’ dies at 91
- Media Logic Radio
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Legendary farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson dies at 91. From Chicago and around the globe, he championed American agriculture on WGN Radio for six decades.
Farm Progress staff Farm Progress
March 16, 2026
One of America’s favorite farm broadcasters, Orion Samuelson, has died after a brief illness at his Huntley, Ill., home, with his wife, Gloria, at his side. He was 91.
Samuelson retired from broadcasting in 2020 after a remarkable 60-year career advocating agriculture on the radio, television, and before countless rural and urban audiences.
“All along the way, he became a champion for the American farmer,” said Max Armstrong, who worked for decades full time with Samuelson. “He was an agvocate before it became fashionable.” When he retired from WGN Radio at the end of 2020 it marked 60 years on WGN. Samuelson also launched the nationally syndicated television programs “U.S. Farm Report” in 1975 and “This Week in AgriBusiness” in 2005.
H
e interviewed countless secretaries of agriculture and originated broadcasts from all 50 states and 44 countries. But mainly, he told agriculture’s story from downtown Chicago, where he became a media icon and a beloved hall of fame broadcaster. His beloved “Samuelson Sez” weekly commentary helped shine a light on the farmer’s greatest challenges. He would often say, “A farmer buys everything retail and sells everything wholesale.”
From farm to Michigan Avenue
Growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm, Samuelson had a work ethic like no other. He worked at several Wisconsin radio stations before joining WGN. He was 27 years old when he made his way up North Michigan Avenue, striding toward the Tribune Tower. It was Sept. 26, 1960, and as he headed toward his first day on the job at WGN, a singular thought ran through his head.
“I walked into the studio and I thought, ‘I’m working with some big names at a big radio station — veterans — and they’re going to ignore me!’ But they did just the opposite,” he said in 2020, reflecting on his career.
Samuelson soon became popular for his ability to explain agribusiness and food production in an understandable way. He and Armstrong would talk about agriculture from a studio in Chicago over hundreds of networked stations. He would explain corn production and beef demand to thousands of suburban housewives, among others. He was named Prairie Farmer Honorary Master Farmer and inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003.
ARTICLE: Farm Progress, March 17, 2026
