Alfalfa County Farm Bureau was presented with the 2018 Oklahoma Farm Bureau John I. Taylor Award on Saturday, Nov. 17 during the organization’s 77th annual meeting in Norman, Oklahoma.
Named after OKFB’s first president, the award serves as the organization’s highest county honor.
“(Winning the award is) a really big deal, because we try to do everything we’re supposed to be doing as a county Farm Bureau,” said Ryan Pjesky, Alfalfa County Farm Bureau president. “It’s good to be rewarded for the hard work and effort of all the members and the board members that participated.”
Alfalfa County were honored for excelling in the program areas of public policy, local affairs, service to members, Women’s Leadership Committee and Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.
“Every county is the county branch of the biggest voice for agriculture and rural issues in the state of Oklahoma,” Pjesky said. “Having a strong county Farm Bureau just gives a contact point or touchstone for people at a more local area to let them know what’s going on.”
The county worked to serve its members and the community by sponsoring a farm safety poster and essay contest for area students, hosting a meet the candidate forum for various offices, honoring local emergency medical services personnel at its annual meeting, promoting Farm Bureau programs and events on a Facebook page, and engaging in a variety of other community activities.
“We have a really diverse set of interests on our board and in our women’s committee, but everyone supports what’s going on,” Pjesky said. “Supporting everybody else’s main interests is the biggest strength we have (as a county).”
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is the organization’s largest gathering of farmers and ranchers every year. At the event, members vote on grassroots policy, elect leaders and award outstanding individuals. OKFB has a presence in all 77 Oklahoma counties and serves as the voice of agriculture and the rural way of life. To learn more, visit www.okfarmbureau.org.
Download a high-resolution image of OKFB’s 2018 John I Taylor Award Winner.
Suggested Caption:
Alfalfa County Farm Bureau President Ryan Pjesky of Goltry (center) accepts Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s John I. Taylor Award from OKFB President Rodd Moesel (right) and Executive Director Thad Doye (left) during the organization’s awards banquet on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the 2018 OKFB annual meeting in Norman. The John I. Taylor award recognizes the top county Farm Bureau in the state based on their activities in a variety of program areas.
