Longtime WLW farm director passes at 87

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Dr. Whiplash
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Longtime WLW farm director passes at 87

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Mason OH — Bob Miller embodied Everybody's Farm when he broadcast both radio and television shows on WLW from the working farm located near the shadow of the WLW transmitter in Mason. Miller, 87, died April 10 of cancer at Hospice of Cincinnati. The Everybody's Farm broadcasts provided up-to-date farming information and tips to farmers in the entire Tri-State area over the powerful WLW airwaves.

The farm — which was located near the intersection of Reading and Snider roads — hosted thousands of schoolchildren and Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops who visited on field trips from 1941 through the 1960s. The Western Star reported that in 1965 alone about 16,000 visitors made their way to Everybody's Farm, making it one of the largest tourist attractions in Warren County. He also took farm animals to inner city Cincinnati to teach children about animals and farming.

Miller's WLW shows were:
• "Everybody's Farm," a noon show broadcast from a little white studio on Everybody's Farm;
• "Chore Time," a morning show broadcast from the milking parlor, hen house or other farm locations;
• "Farm Front," a Saturday morning TV show;
• "Willing Acres," featuring on-site interviews with farmers using new techniques

Miller was director of WLW's farm department and a broadcaster for radio and TV for 29 years. His travel for WLW took him all over the world, including trips with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He also reported on the Peace Corps agricultural projects in Africa and South and Central America. For the rest of his career, Miller donated fees from his speeches to the Peace Corps, adding up to enough to build a school in Zaire.

According to WLW, he started the annual Farmers Night at the Reds games, throwing out the opening pitch multiple times. He also was invited to the White House multiple times by presidents Truman, Nixon, Ford and Carter. Miller is in the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame, the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

He was a graduate of The Ohio State University and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Blue Ash; son Van of Maineville; daughters Kathlyn Bork of Aurora and Holly Ruff of Maineville; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A visitation was held Sunday at the Sharonville United Methodist Church. Memorials are requested to Media Heritage Inc., Voice of America Museum, 8070 Tylersville Road, West Chester, OH 45069.
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