Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur was eager to share the details of Governor Kevin Stitt’s proclamation of 2025 being the Year of Youth in Agriculture which was announced at Cattlemen’s Congress. Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays got the details for you.
“The intent of Governor Stitt proclaiming this the Year of Youth in Agriculture is to create awareness of all of the great things our young people do and to share it with a broader audience,” Sec. Arthur said. “We also want to remind these students to stay in agriculture because there are tons of job opportunities. Hopefully, we will have a wonderful year of telling these great stories about the good things our kids are doing.”
While the kids who show livestock and compete in 4-H and FFA have some great stories, Arthur also hopes to reach a broader audience with the lesser-known stories such as the youth who plans to return home to become the fourth or fifth generation to farm his family’s land and of the child who grew up in an urban environment, but found his or her passion for agriculture and intends to pursue it.
Various groups, both in agriculture and outside of it, have come together to bring this program to life. “We have some branding that is being put together and exceptional events planned throughout the year,” Arthur said. “We want to see the consistent branding throughout 2025 and remind folks that we do this all the time, but maybe there is a different story that we can share, or we need to invite them to come see our kids in action.”
Sec. Arthur expressed appreciation for the support she has received from Governor Stitt and noted how he has always been pro-agriculture and has supported 4-H and FFA members. She said, “He’s very passionate about ag and our youth in ag and just wants to help move that forward here in Oklahoma.”
Secretary Arthur described the Cattlemen’s Congress as an event that brings the beef cattle show world together, from youth to adults. “Seeing them mingle here from across the United States and watching the team here who does an exceptional job make Oklahoma very proud that we can host an event like this,” she said. “We are hopeful that after we announced this here, other states will want to also highlight their youth in agriculture and keep these stories moving forward.”
