John Grunewald was recognized with the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award on Saturday, Nov. 17 during the organization’s 77th annual meeting in Norman, Oklahoma.
The award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and the Farm Bureau organization.
“It’s a great honor to be presented this by such a great organization,” Grunewald said of the award. “Farm Bureau does so many great things around the state of Oklahoma for farmers and ranchers and rural communities.”
Nominated by Woodward County Farm Bureau members, Grunewald earned the award for his longtime commitment to supporting farmers and ranchers throughout western Oklahoma as president and CEO of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma.
“John has been outstanding at leadership in many areas of agriculture all over western Oklahoma,” said Eldon Merklin, Woodward County Farm Bureau president. “Farm Credit is very well rounded in helping not only Farm Bureau but all the ag groups in Oklahoma.”
Under Grunewald’s leadership, Merklin said Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma has played an integral role in supporting youth in agriculture and rural Oklahoma.
“Farm Credit has been very supportive of 4-H and FFA programs throughout western Oklahoma,” Merklin said. “He’s been an influence to many young people through all of the awards and things he has presented and Farm Credit has supported through the year.”
Preparing the next generation of farmers and ranchers is a priority for Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, Grunewald said.
“We just believe in the future of agriculture and are very optimistic about the next generation that’s coming on,” he said.
Grunewald serves on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, which works to share the work of farmers and ranchers throughout Oklahoma. He also has helped sponsor many OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers award programs in his role at Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma.
“He’s very deserving of the award,” Merklin said. “We appreciate all that he does for Farm Bureau and agriculture as a whole.”
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.
Suggested caption:
John Grunewald (left) receives the 2018 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award from OKFB President Rodd Moesel (right) during the organization’s awards banquet on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the 2018 OKFB annual meeting in Norman. Grunewald received the award after years of dedication to helping agriculture succeed in his time as President and CEO of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma.
