Bob Howard, a longtime Southwest Oklahoma wheat, pasture, and cattle producer, has been named the 2023 recipient of Governor Kevin Stitt’s Outstanding Achievement in Agriculture Award. Howard is the 26th inductee into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame, which is the state’s most prestigious agricultural honor.
Howard, who passed away last April at the age of 75, will be honored at the annual Ag Day at the Capitol event in Oklahoma City on April 11.
Howard’s career was spent bettering Oklahoma’s agriculture industry through research and innovation. His partnership with OSU Extension resulted in improvements to wheat and pasture production systems still implemented today.
“We are so proud to call Bob Howard our 2023 Agriculture Hall of Fame inductee,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur. “Bob was not only a critical player and innovator in the state’s crop commodity industry, but a trusted community member and friend to many. His impact on Oklahoma’s agriculture certainly lives on.”
Over the years, numerous county, regional, and state projects were conducted on Howard’s farm. One long-term study led Howard to transition several of his fields to a no-till or minimum till operation, which helped control most of the erosion on the property. In 2013, Howard was given OSU’s prestigious Master Agronomist award.
Howard was a supporter of agriculture youth development programs. While he served as the FFA instructor at the Navajo School system for only four years, Howard spent a lifetime helping kids in both the FFA and 4-H programs by sharing his knowledge and providing support. Howard also served in several leadership roles for commodity groups including the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association, the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association, and the Jackson County Farm Bureau Board.
Howard and his wife, Renee, raised three children together: attorney Chrystle Howard (Kruska), Judge Ryan Howard, and Senator Brent Howard. Howard’s family continues to build on his legacy, positively impacting the greater Southwest Oklahoma area for years to come.
