Honoring a Lifetime of Leadership
Please join us in congratulating Jess “Mark” Nichols on his well-deserved induction into the Oklahoma Cotton Hall of Fame!
A fourth-generation farmer from Altus, Oklahoma, Mark has dedicated his life to advancing the cotton industry—from his family farm to the global stage. His leadership has helped shape state, national, and international policy, including serving as Chairman of the Cotton Board, the Cotton Foundation, and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
Mark’s work has guided critical decisions in research, sustainability, marketing, and pest control, including playing a key role in Oklahoma’s Boll Weevil Eradication Program. Through decades of service, advocacy, and innovation, he’s helped ensure the future of cotton remains strong—for Oklahoma and beyond.
At his core, Mark is a family man and a farmer, working the land alongside his children and continuing a proud legacy that stretches across generations.
Honoring a Legacy of Dedication
Dr. Miles Karner, a longtime Altus resident and former OSU Extension entomologist, has been posthumously inducted into the Oklahoma Cotton Hall of Fame.
Dr. Karner’s work shaped the future of Oklahoma agriculture — from playing a pivotal role in establishing Boll Weevil Eradication in the state to leading research in cotton pest management and transgenic technology. His commitment to science, education, and helping people lives on through an endowed scholarship in his name.
We’re proud to celebrate the impact of a man who spent his life helping improve the cotton industry in Oklahoma. 
(photos courtesy of OK Cotton Council FB page)
