Dell Farris was named the winner of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award on Nov. 10 at the 2017 OKFB Annual Meeting in Norman, Oklahoma.
The award recognizes successful young adults ages 35 years or younger who are involved in farming, but whose primary occupations are not farming or owning an agricultural business. Winners are chosen based on their involvement in agriculture and participation in Oklahoma Farm Bureau and other community organizations.
“It’s a real honor,” Farris said of receiving the award. “I’m proud to be able to represent Oklahoma, my family and Stephens County.”
A fourth-generation family farmer and rancher, Farris raises cattle and grows wheat and hay with his father and grandfather in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Farris works off the farm as a banker where he specializes in production agriculture loans.
“Agriculture is ultimately where I want to be,” Farris said. “My job allows me to be in agriculture, but being on the farm (full time) some day is the long term goal.”
Farris currently serves on the state YF&R committee and also on the Stephens County Farm Bureau board.
Active in his community, Farris serves on the Comanche Chamber of Commerce board and as the southwest county director on the Stephens County Livestock Growers Association. He also helps support local FFA chapters by participating in area livestock shows, banquets and fundraisers.
As the Excellence in Agriculture Award winner, Farris received a Polaris four-wheeler, courtesy of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Oklahoma AgCredit, and a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting Jan. 5-10 in Nashville, Tennessee, where he will compete for the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award.
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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John Grunewald, president of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma (left), and Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan (center) present the 2017 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture award to Dell Farris during the awards session at the 76th annual OKFB convention in Norman on Friday, Nov. 10. The award recognized Farris’ work on his family’s Stephens County farm as well as his career in banking at a nearby community bank.
