Roland Pederson of Alfalfa County was recognized with the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award during the OKFB 73rd Annual Convention Nov. 15 in Tulsa.
The Distinguished Service Award honors OKFB members who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and the Farm Bureau organization. Pederson has been working in agriculture for nearly 40 years and joined OKFB in 1972.
Pederson has been actively involved in the organization serving on the Alfalfa County Board of Directors for 20 years and serving as the state director for District 7 for the past nine years.
“I feel very humbled to receive the award,” Pederson said. “I contributed some to the organization, but nothing like a lot of people have. I’m very thankful for Farm Bureau for allowing this to happen.”
Pederson and his wife, Terry, began their transition into farming and ranching full time with a custom harvesting business. Currently, they produce wheat, milo, corn, soybeans, canola and alfalfa. They also run a cow/calf herd and stockers on wheat pasture.
“I developed a love for agriculture growing up,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed trying to improve the quality of any of the animals and crops I’ve produced. It’s a challenge I’ve enjoyed, and it’s a passion I’ve had all my life.”
Pederson is an active member in several other state and community organizations. Gov. Mary Fallin appointed him to the Agriculture Diversification Enhancement Board in 2012, and he is a member of the Alfalfa Electric Round-Up Board. He also serves as a board member at Driftwood Christian Church, as a member of the Burlington Lions Club and is a graduate of the third class of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Program.
Pederson also served six years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He earned his bachelors and masters degrees in natural sciences from Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
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