Raymond and Mary Temple are the recipients of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Lifetime Legacy Award. The announcement was made Nov. 15, at OKFB’s 72nd Annual Convention in Norman.
The YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award serves as a living memorial for members by recognizing their life achievements. It is intended to honor an individual or a couple who have spent their lives enriching and inspiring rural Oklahomans’ quality of life.
Raymond grew up on a farm in Colorado, and Mary was raised on a cotton farm in Washita County. Together they have built a cow-calf herd and raise stocker cattle and replacement heifers on their farm near Elmore City. The couple also produces hay and grows wheat for grazing their cattle. The Temples have planted turnips in their wheat fields for years and annually invite their neighbors and surrounding towns to pick as many as they want each fall. Their love for agriculture has influenced many, and the couple enjoys helping others succeed in the industry.
The couple has also been involved in their community. Raymond helped develop a rural water district for area neighbors, and he served as president of the Elmore City Board of Education. In fact, he cast the deciding vote in the decision to allow the high school to begin having a prom – the town’s story was the premise for the movie Footloose.
The Temples are lifelong Farm Bureau members. Raymond has served on the Garvin County FB Board of Directors for 16 years. Mary helped re-establish the Garvin County FB Women’s Committee. She has been active in it for 16 years, serving as chairman for 10 years. The two have served on the state resolutions committee and as delegates to the state convention.
