The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, in collaboration with Oklahoma State University, recently launched a new program, Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture, at the Statewide Women in Ag and Small Business Conference.
The initiative is designed to honor and recognize the numerous women in agriculture across all 77 counties of the state from all aspects and areas of the industry, ranging from producers to educators, leaders to entrepreneurs, veterinarians to board members and many more.
“Our hope is to tell the stories of the countless women who give selflessly to this industry but don’t always receive an award,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. “We want to find the hidden inspirational women and give them the recognition they deserve. Giving one woman of the year award is great, but it leaves out so many other worthy women.”
One honoree will be selected each week and recognized on ODAFF’s social media platforms with a detailed biography and her “ag story.” Additionally, a press release acknowledging her selection will be submitted to area newspapers.
The benefit of using social media for recognition is that it is accessible to most everyone and allows the archives to be accessed long after they were published.
“We encourage everyone to submit a nomination,” said Secretary Reese, “whether that is nominating yourself or someone you know.”
The nomination form can be found by visiting okwomeninagandsmallbusiness.com and clicking on the Significant Women in Ag nomination link.
All nominations must be submitted online before February 1, 2017.
After all nominations have been submitted, a selection committee will begin the process of recognizing Oklahoma’s Significant Women in Agriculture.
