LeFlore County’s Brian and LaSheil Knowles were named Oklahoma Farm Bureau YF&R Achievement Award winners Nov. 20 at the 69th annual convention in Oklahoma City.
The YF&R Achievement Award honors the state’s top young farmer or farm family for their achievements in the farming business and their leadership in the agricultural community.
The Keota couple received an expense-paid trip to the 2011 American Farm Bureau Federation convention in Atlanta, Ga., to represent Oklahoma in the national contest, where they will compete for Dodge pickups and Arctic Cat four-wheelers. As the Oklahoma winner, the Knowles received a year’s use of a Dodge pickup and a WW Livestock Equipment squeeze chute.
Brian and LaSheil have two children, Sarah, 8, and Weston, 5.
They operate 840 acres near Keota where they have two commercial poultry houses and a cow-calf herd today after spending the last 12 years in agriculture. The annual production from the poultry operation exceeds 800,000 pounds and the cow-calf herd consists of 150 head. Some 400 acres are in hay production, and they also operate a custom hay enterprise, where they bale and haul hay for individual customers.
A 7,000-square-foot barn constructed this year allows them to store hay used in their operation. Excess hay is sold to individual customers.
Like many farm families, LaSheil works off the farm to provide health insurance for the family. She is employed by the Department of Human Services.
The acquisition of land for the operation has sometimes been difficult. They have leased pastures for their cattle herd. They believe leasing gives them a better chance to purchase when the owner decides to sell.
The Knowles also are working to lease more farm ground, since several area farmers are retiring. Leasing farm ground currently is preferable to buying due to the high purchase cost.
Most of the family’s free time is spent doing things with the children, with a favorite pastime being horses and rodeos. They also are active in their church, and spend a lot of time with activities there.
Brian serves on the LeFlore County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and also is vice chairman of the county’s YF&R Committee. LaSheil serves as chairman of the LeFlore County YF&R Committee. They also hold the district 5 post on the state YF&R Committee, and currently serve as vice chairmen of the group.
