Oklahoma has a rich agricultural history thanks to dedicated farmers. In 1998, the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture was created to recognize those who have helped lead the industry while demonstrating exemplary personal values and pursuing agricultural achievements in Oklahoma. Through Feb. 16, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) is accepting nominations for a total of four Oklahoma Excellence in Agriculture Awards.
The award winners will be announced at a recognition ceremony on April 10, 2018, at the state capitol as part of the state’s annual Oklahoma Ag Day celebration.
Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture
Examples of eligible agricultural enterprises for the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture nominees are: livestock and crop production, agribusiness, forestry, horticulture and nursery management. In addition to considering the nominee’s production agriculture involvement, the application also recognizes leadership in agricultural and state organizations as well as additional awards and honors. The winner will be someone with at least 25 years in agriculture who derives the bulk of his or her income from agriculture or has retired from an agricultural enterprise.
Previous award-winners have represented different areas of Oklahoma as well as a variety of agricultural groups and commodities. Past recipients have guided their families and communities to success by excelling as dairymen, cattle ranchers, pork producers, wheat farmers, conservationists and educators. Uniting previous Hall of Fame inductees is their service to their communities in addition to their contribution to the agricultural industry.
In addition to the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture, ODAFF also presents the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Award, Outstanding Legacy in Agriculture Award and Outstanding Public Service in Agriculture Award. The Legacy in Agriculture Award is the only one strictly for posthumous nominees.
Governor’s Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Award
Governor Mary Fallin’s Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes Oklahoma agriculturalists who are leaders in developing and adopting outstanding, environmentally-innovative agricultural practices. This award will highlight the efforts of an Oklahoma agriculture producer who is a steward of the environment and is dedicated to conserving the natural resources of Oklahoma while helping to ensure a continued supply of food and fiber.
Governor’s Outstanding Public Service in Agriculture Award
Governor Fallin’s Outstanding Public Service in Agriculture Award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions of public service to Oklahoma agriculture. The recipient will be someone who works diligently to improve public perception of agriculture in Oklahoma. The recipient should be a person who has given time and talent unselfishly to advance the Oklahoma agricultural industry.
Governor’s Outstanding Legacy in Agriculture Award
Governor Fallin’s Outstanding Legacy in Agriculture Award posthumously honors someone who made significant life-long contributions to Oklahoma agriculture. The unique or extraordinary contributions the individual made to Oklahoma serve as a role model for the agricultural industry.
“The Oklahoma Excellence in Agriculture Awards give us the opportunity to recognize those individuals who have made a positive and lasting impact on agriculture in our state,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese.
The deadline for all nominations is 5 p.m. Feb. 16. The recipients will be selected by a committee of representatives from agricultural commodity organizations and farm and ranch organizations. Any questions regarding the nomination procedure or completion of the official nomination form can be directed to Jason Harvey at (405) 606-1477. The nomination forms and bios of previous recipients of the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture can be found at www.ag.ok.gov/odaff-halloffame.htm .
Previous award-winners of the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture
S.F. “Pamp” Howe-1998
Alvin “Buck” Clements-1999
George W. Stone-2000
Erwin R. Duerksen-2001
Henry Jo Von Tungeln-2002
Paul Jackson-2003
Ralph Chain-2004
Tom Gilliam-2005
Murray Williams-2006
L. E. Castle-2007
Paul Hitch-2008
Elmore Bathurst-2009
Lew Meibergen-2010
Wayne Krehbiel-2011
Jack Givens-2012
John Hughes-2013
Rodd Moesel-2014
Joe Mayer-2015
Dr. Clint Roush-2016
Virgil Jurgensmeyer-2017
Previous recipients of the Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Award
Mike Thralls-2015
Randy Davis-2016
Hal Clark-2017
Previous recipients of the Outstanding Legacy in Agriculture Award
Dr. Bob Totusek-2015
Quintus Herron-2016
Floyd King-2017
Previous recipients of the Outstanding Public Service in Agriculture Award
Leland Walker-2015
Dr. Brett Carver-2016
Anna Belle Wiedemann-2017