The Okmulgee County Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee was honored with the 2019 Oklahoma Farm Bureau YF&R Charles L. Roff Award on Saturday, Nov. 9 during the organization’s annual meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Presented to the state’s top county YF&R committee, the Charles L. Roff Award encourages YF&R members to improve their local committees while strengthening the Farm Bureau organization.
“This just means so much to us because we really implemented a lot of things in our county and really strive to help the youth in our county and our community,” said Leslie Lewis, Okmulgee County YF&R chair.
The Okmulgee County YF&R committee earned the award for its work to promote agriculture and Farm Bureau to its local community. Throughout the year, the committee worked to support local youth by hosting a pancake breakfast at the Okmulgee County Spring Livestock Show, purchasing an animal in the Okmulgee County Premium Sale, presenting a $500 scholarship for a graduating senior in the community and sponsoring a county tractor driving contest during the Okmulgee County Fall Fair.
The group also helped area elementary students learn about fire safety and tractor safety by hosting Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s safety programs at a local school.
Many of the county YF&R committee members have been active on the state level, attending legislative meetings, YF&R conferences and OKFB conventions.
“It’s bigger than our YF&R group,” said Will Lewis, Okmulgee County YF&R chair. “It’s our entire county. Our YF&R committee is what pushes us toward the six-star award, so it’s more of the bigger picture with us.”
The county received a traveling plaque in recognition for their outstanding committee involvement.
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.
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