Veteran ag broadcaster to speak at NPAC

Niswonger Performing Arts Center information

Williamson Insurance Agency presents longtime voice of agriculture, Orion “The Big O” Samuelson, to the Niswonger Performing Arts Center on Sunday, February 23, at 3 p.m.

Samuelson is heard on WGN Radio, where he has served as agribusiness director since 1960. His life-long commitment to agriculture has been recognized by organizations in all segments of agribusiness. In May of 2001, Samuelson was named a laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and received the Lincoln Medal, the highest award bestowed by the state of Illinois.

A week later, the University of Illinois presented Samuelson with an honorary Doctor of Letters degree, while in January 1998, the American Farm Bureau Federation honored Samuelson and Bob Dole with the AFBF “Distinguished Service” Award.

At the 1997 Illinois State Fair, then-Governor Jim Edgar changed the name of the Junior Livestock Building to the Orion Samuelson Junior Livestock Building as a tribute to Samuelson’s nearly four decades of service to the agricultural youth of Illinois. In October 1994, Heifer Project International honored Samuelson as “Man of the Year” on its 50th anniversary, and he has received the National 4-H alumni award and honorary FFA American Farmer degree, and is an honorary member of Alpha Gamma Rho, the agriculture fraternity.

Samuelson is the most recognized agricultural journalist in the industry, with more than 60 years experience in broadcasting, more than 50 of those at Chicago’s WGN.

Tickets for Samuelson’s 3 p.m. presentation on Sunday, February 23, 2014, are on sale now, with the cost $20 for adults and $10 for students. The Niswonger Box Office, located at 10700 Ohio 118 in Van Wert, is open from noon-4 p.m., Monday through Friday, while tickets can also be purchased online 24/7 at www.NPACVW.org.

Samuelson is presented by Williamson Insurance Agency and supporting sponsor Ag Credit Country Mortgages. The speaker/lecture series at the Niswonger is underwritten in part by grants from The Paulding-Putnam Electric Cooperative, Walmart, and Midwest Electric Inc.