Max Armstrong
Max Armstrong (born June 13, 1953, Owensville, Indiana) is an American agriculture broadcaster from Chicago, Illinois.[1]
Broadcast History
Armstrong's first job out of college was for the Illinois Farm Bureau as a Broadcast Editor, which was where he met Orion Samuelson. For 42 years, Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson have partnered together, first on WGN radio, and later on the TV Show U.S. Farm Report, until creating the show This Week in Agribusiness.[1]
Since July 2009, Armstrong has been director of broadcasting for Farm Progress.[1] He produces and hosts the Farm Progress America and Max Armstrong’s Midwest Digest daily radio programs. Armstrong also hosts a three-minute feature, "Farming America", on the Tribune Radio Network.
From 1977 to 2009, Armstrong was the agri-business broadcaster for WGN Radio[2] before the program transitioned to a weekly Saturday morning show and accompanying podcast entitled The Morning Show with Orion and Max.[3]
"This Week in AgriBusiness"
Since August 2005, Armstrong has been co-host and co-founder of This Week in AgriBusiness, owned and produced with Samuelson.[4] The show is a weekly agriculture television show, produced by OMAX Communications, LLC in cooperation with 22 Creative Group and broadcast on RFD-TV.[5]
National Association of Farm Broadcasting ("NAFB")
In 2001, Armstrong was named Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the NAFB. In 2017, Max Armstrong was elected President of the NAFB. Armstrong was a member of NAFB for 40 years before being elected president.[6]
WGN Radio Walk of Fame
In 2016, Armstrong earned a plaque on the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in Chicago. Armstrong was full-time with WGN Radio for 32 years until 2009. The bronze plaque is in the sidewalk outside the Tribune Tower studios at 435 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago.[7] The induction ceremony took place on May 27, 2016, where Armstrong was honored along with 6 others.[8]
Max's Tractor Shed
On This Week in Agribusiness, Armstrong has a segment "Max's Tractor Shed," which features vintage tractors sent in by viewers. These stories were also translated into Max Armstrong's Tractor App, launched in 2013.[9]
"Stories from the Heartland"
In 2015, Armstrong published his first book, titled "Stories from the Heartland."[10]
Philanthropy
For 22 years, Armstrong contributed his time as an appointed Fire Commissioner in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. Serving on a three-member board, he hires and promotes full-time firefighters and paramedics for one of the highest-rated (ISO 1) fire service organizations in the United States, the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District.[11]
Awards and honors
- At Purdue University, Armstrong received honors as an "Old Master" in 2005 and was recognized as a "Noted Alumnus" in the 2009 'Facts at Your Fingertips.' Armstrong also was awarded an Alum Certificate of Distinction from the College of Agriculture and a Sagamore of the Wabash, given by the Governor of Indiana.[12]
- Max Armstrong was named an Honorary Master Farmer in 2018 by Prairie Farmer Magazine.[13]
- Max Armstrong's Tractor App received a Best of NAMA award, along with awards from the American Agricultural Editors' Association and American Web Design awards.
References
- "Max Armstrong: Farm boy at heart". Prairie Farmer. 2018-03-09. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- "LinkedIn".
- "The Morning Show with Orion and Max | WGN Radio - 720 AM". wgnradio.com. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- "This Week in Agribusiness". agbizweek.com. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- "This Week in Agribusiness". Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- "National President Election Profile: Max Armstrong".
- "Armstrong Earns Plaque On The WGN Radio Walk Of Fame".
- "Seven honorees named to WGN Radio Walk of Fame".
- "Max Armstrong's Tractor App Now Available". AgWired. 2013-09-05. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- "Home". Max Armstrong. Retrieved 2018-07-04.
- "National President Election Profile: Max Armstrong".
- Arts, College of Liberal. "Max Armstrong // Purdue College of Liberal Arts". Purdue College of Liberal Arts. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
- "Max Armstrong Named Honorary Master Farmer".
External links
- WGN Radio: Morning Show with Orion & Max
- Chicago Radio Spotlight interview with Max Armstrong
- This Week in AgriBusiness
- Farm Progress America
- Max Armstrong's Daily Updates
- This Week in AgriBusiness, Facebook
- "Stories from the Heartland"
- Max Armstrong's Tractor App in the Daily Herald
- Max Armstrong's Tractor Stuff, Facebook