Rodney Miller: Biography, Career And Small Town Big Deal

Rodney Miller is an American television host, agricultural executive, and entrepreneur best known as the co-creator and co-host of the nationally syndicated television program Small Town Big Deal. Before his transition into television broadcasting, he built a prominent career as a corporate executive in the farm machinery industry, managing major tractor manufacturing brands in North America.

Understanding Rodney Miller requires looking beyond a single title or enterprise. His professional path spans corporate boardrooms, multi-state farming operations, agritourism ventures, and mainstream television production. This comprehensive biography examines his early life, executive career in agricultural machinery, media success, and agricultural ventures.

Early Life and Agricultural Roots

Rodney K. Miller was born and raised on a family farm in Franklin County, Illinois, near the town of Benton. Growing up under the guidance of his father, Gene Miller, along with his three brothers and sister, agriculture became a fundamental part of his daily life from an early age. Farm life instilled a strong work ethic and deep familiarity with heavy machinery, rural communities, and crop production.

He attended Benton Consolidated High School and later studied at Rend Lake College. In 1978, he married his wife, Kendra (Hubbs) Miller, who also grew up on a farm in neighboring Franklin County. Shortly after marrying, the couple established Miller Family Farms near Benton, initiating a lifelong commitment to agricultural production that continues today.

Corporate Career in Agricultural Machinery

Before entering the entertainment and broadcasting industry, Miller established himself as a high-level executive in the agricultural equipment sector. His corporate leadership tenure included executive roles with several prominent tractor manufacturers:

• Valtra Tractors: Miller helped establish and scale United States operations for Valtra, positioning the brand for wider distribution in North American markets.
• Montana Tractors: Serving as Chief Executive Officer of Montana Tractors based in Springdale, Arkansas (backed significantly by the late industrialist J.B. Hunt), Miller led a corporate expansion team. Under his leadership, the company grew from USD 2 million in annual revenue to over USD 80 million within a three-year span.
• McCormick International USA: Miller served as CEO of McCormick International USA, headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, overseeing the manufacturing and distribution of agricultural tractors for domestic and international markets until mid-2010.

Television Career: Small Town Big Deal

In the late 2000s, Miller shifted his professional focus toward media production, combining his love for rural communities and storytelling. Alongside co-host Jann Carl (formerly of Entertainment Tonight), Miller created Small Town Big Deal, a television program designed to highlight unique characters, unusual hobbies, heartwarming stories, and extraordinary community achievements across rural America.

The show launched into national broadcast syndication, eventually reaching over 150 local television stations, covering roughly 80 percent of United States households, and broadcasting on the Armed Forces Network. With an audience of over half a million weekly viewers, the program established Miller as a recognizable television personality dedicated to celebrating American small-town culture.

Farming Operations and Entrepreneurship

Despite his corporate and television success, Miller remains actively involved in hands-on agriculture and business ventures:

• Miller Family Farms: He maintains a 1,000-acre row crop operation in southern Illinois near Benton, alongside farming properties in the Ocilla, Georgia area.
• Buford Corn Maze: Located in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Miller owns and operates the Buford Corn Maze, a major seasonal agritourism destination that attracts thousands of visitors each autumn.
• Antique Equipment Restoration: An avid enthusiast of vintage agricultural machinery, Miller collects, repairs, and restores antique tractors and farm equipment to original operating condition.

Further details regarding his media projects and television background can be found on the Merit Street Media Profile and historical references are archived via Wikipedia. Information regarding agricultural operations is maintained through Miller Family Farms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Rodney Miller married to?

Rodney Miller has been married to his wife, Kendra Miller, since 1978. They share three children and multiple grandchildren and operate family farming enterprises together in Illinois and Georgia.

What companies did Rodney Miller manage as CEO?

Miller served as the CEO of Montana Tractors in Springdale, Arkansas, and McCormick International USA in Duluth, Georgia. He also helped establish U.S. operations for Valtra Tractors.

How did Small Town Big Deal start?

Small Town Big Deal was created by Rodney Miller and co-hosted with Jann Carl to showcase inspiring stories, exceptional people, and unique traditions found across small towns in the United States. The show achieved widespread syndication across commercial networks and the Armed Forces Network.

Where is Rodney Miller from?

Miller was born and raised on a family farm in Franklin County, Illinois, near the city of Benton. He currently divides his time between farming operations in southern Illinois and Ocilla, Georgia.