American Farmers & Ranchers honor long time Oklahoma agriculture education leaders

Kent Boggs and Kendall Brashears received special recognition from AFR members during the recent annual AFR convention in Norman, Oklahoma.

Boggs, Oklahoma FFA executive secretary, is retiring this year after 32 years of working with Oklahoma’s youth. After graduating from Oklahoma State University, he joined the faculty as an agricultural education instructor at Marlow High School in Marlow, Oklahoma, for two years. In 1980, Boggs became an agricultural education instructor at Elgin High School in Elgin, Oklahoma, where he taught for five years before joining the Oklahoma FFA Association as the state FFA executive secretary. He is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing the leadership component of the student organization that includes state officers, membership development, marketing and public relations, conventions, contests and awards.

Brashears retired last year as executive director of the Oklahoma FFA Foundation. Brashears has served the Oklahoma FFA, agricultural educators and students since his career began in 1974. He has worked tirelessly in the classroom, in school administration and as executive director to support agricultural education in the state. In Brashears’ 12 years with the FFA Foundation, annual sponsorships increased from approximately $150,000 to $680,000. These funds support the state FFA convention, student awards and the annual agriscience fair. Under his leadership the FFA Foundation has twice received the Community Impact Award from the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium.

“Both of these men have been incredible role models for our state’s agricultural youth,” said Terry Detrick, AFR president. “Many of our leaders today credit their FFA experience for contributing to their success and I know both Kent and Kendall had an impact on their lives.”