The Cox family of Watonga was recognized as Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s District 3 farm and ranch family of the year at the organization’s 83rd annual meeting Saturday, Nov. 9, in Oklahoma City.
Shawn and Debbie Cox are proud farmers and ranchers in Blaine County. Currently, they farm 3,000 acres of wheat, soybeans and milo, while ranching 300 head of angus cows.
Shawn is no stranger to farming, as he began as a young kid helping his dad, uncle and granddad on the farm growing up. As he got older, he helped a neighboring farm and slowly began renting land and buying equipment and cattle to get his own farm started.
“I’ve been around farming all my life with my grandpa and my dad,” Shawn said. “I initially started with my grandpa, squaring bales of hay in an alfalfa field when I was an 8-year-old. I’ve just been doing it ever since.”
In 2007, after having started their family, they added their water well business to help provide.
Shawn and Debbie raise their two children Skylar and Dakota on their farm. Skylar, who is now married, would help drive the tractor through the fields. She now works at Bridge Creek Public Schools while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in applied science. Dakota helps Shawn with everything there is with the farm. He also runs his own cattle herd.
“On my end of it, I go get parts and supply the meals during harvest,” Debbie said.
Debbie says she is just a “farmer’s wife” and helps whenever she is needed. She also serves as the secretary/treasurer for Cox Water Well Service. She enjoys baking cakes, cupcakes and pies for other people, as well as gardening that she uses to can vegetables.
Throughout the community, the Cox family takes pride in giving back. Whether that be helping other farmers or the community in general.
“I started with nothing, so every time I get a chance to give back, I will give back,” Shawn said.
Shawn and Dakota serve as volunteer firefighters in Watonga. Shawn is also on the Watonga Public School board and volunteers every year for the community Christmas dinner, with his kids, in Watonga. Debbie serves as the vice president the Watonga All Sports Wrestling Group. Dakota, in addition to being a volunteer firefighter, is a senior in high school where he is involved in FFA, wrestling and track. Skylar participated in FFA in high school, showing sheep and pigs, as well as participating in speech contests.
“I feel like being a part of the rural community, it’s just small and we’re close. We’re like family,” Debbie said.
The Cox family shared they wouldn’t trade living and working on the farm. They say it has taught them a lot over the years.
“You get the dirt under your fingernails, and I just love doing it. Once you do it kid and you’re around it, it’s just something you just learn to love,” Shawn said.
OKFB’s Farm and Ranch Family Recognition program celebrates nine farm and ranch families from around the state who carry on the best traditions of Oklahoma agriculture and our rural communities.
“Our state’s family farmers and ranchers do so much for our state from feeding and clothing Oklahomans to taking care of our natural resources,” said Mignon Bolay, OKFB WLC chair. “Our Women’s Leadership Committee is proud to recognize these nine farm and ranch families and share their stories of agricultural excellence and rural community involvement.”
As part of their recognition, the family received a cash award and a custom sign to hang at their farm gate. The family was also recognized at the 2024 OKFB convention with a video sharing their agricultural operation and heritage.
