Agricultural education and connecting consumers to production agriculture were front and center during a conversation with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur and Farm Director KC Sheperd at the OGI Wheat meeting. Arthur emphasized the importance of exposing the next generation—and the general public—to modern agriculture, noting that Oklahoma has “the best 4-H and FFA programs in the United States,” along with a strong Ag in the Classroom effort. She added that simple interactions can matter most, saying, “sometimes just us inviting somebody out during wheat harvest makes a big, big difference, so consumers know what’s happening in production ag.”
Arthur also highlighted the governor’s new initiative showcasing the “Faces of Oklahoma Agriculture,” which follows last year’s focus on youth in agriculture. She said the goal is to highlight both the diversity of production and the people behind it, explaining that agriculture “looks so different as you travel across Oklahoma.” Arthur encouraged the public to get involved, noting, “if folks have suggestions of someone that we can highlight as a face of Oklahoma Ag, we encourage you just to reach out to us at the Department of Ag.”
Dry conditions are again becoming a concern across the state, particularly for wheat producers, and Arthur acknowledged drought is creeping back into the picture. “It’s certainly very, very dry,” she said, adding that moisture would be welcome statewide. Arthur praised the Legislature for supporting the Emergency Drought Commission, explaining that funding allows the state to be both reactive and proactive through projects like pond cleanouts and new water wells. “Anything that we can do to help our producers anytime, but especially during droughts, is important,” she said.
Legislative support for agricultural research was another key topic, particularly funding for Oklahoma State University’s wheat breeding program. Arthur stressed the statewide impact of that work, noting, “over 50% of the wheat planted in Oklahoma is an OSU variety.” She explained why that matters to consumers, saying it directly supports “the safest, most affordable food supply in the world,” and added that the Department of Agriculture will continue telling that story at the Capitol.
The conversation closed with praise for the upcoming Oklahoma Youth Expo, which Arthur called “the world’s largest Junior Livestock Show.” She credited the staff, sponsors, and commodity groups that make the event possible and highlighted the millions of dollars in scholarships awarded to students. “Without a doubt,” Arthur said, “I believe OYE is one of the very, very best things that we do in Oklahoma.”
