Joshua Anderson of Mannsville was honored with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award on Saturday, Nov. 17 at the organization’s annual meeting in Norman.
Anderson is a third-generation farmer and rancher who raises beef cattle, grows forage crops, and manages natural resources on land first owned by his grandfather and father.
“I was born and raised on a farm, so the passion for agriculture was instilled early on through our family farm,” Anderson said.
The Johnston County native uses his knowledge and experience in agriculture every day in his off-farm job as a Noble Research Institute research associate where he helps develop drought-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties of wheat, rye, oats and triticale for livestock producers to use as grazing forages.
“I love research and extension. I’ve had that desire all through college, and to be able to come back home and work for a company that is passionate about research, extension and providing consultation to producers is very meaningful for me,” he said. “Being able to give back to those who produce our food and fiber is an awesome feeling.”
Anderson represents a portion of south central Oklahoma on the OKFB Young Farmers and Ranchers state committee and on OKFB’s political action committee board of directors. He also serves on the Johnston County Farm Bureau board of directors.
He is active in his local church, serves as a local volunteer fireman, and is a member of numerous agriculture, community and professional organizations.
As the Excellence in Agriculture Award winner, Anderson received a Polaris Sportsman 450 ATV, courtesy of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Oklahoma AgCredit. He also earned a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in January in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he will compete for the AFBF Excellence in Agriculture Award.
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is the organization’s largest yearly gathering of farmers and ranchers. 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.
Download a high-resolution photo of the 2018 OKFB YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award presentation.
Suggested caption:
Josh Anderson of Mannsville (center) receives the 2018 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award from 2018 YF&R Chairman Brent and Jennifer Howard (right), OKFB Executive Director Thad Doye (left), and Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma President and CEO John Grunewald during the organization’s awards banquet on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the 2018 OKFB annual meeting in Norman. Anderson received as a prize a Polaris Sportsman 450 ATV courtesy of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Oklahoma AgCredit.
