Agricultural News
Noble Foundation Recognizes Hammert Family with Leonard Wyatt Award
Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:00:02 CDT
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation presented Pete and Rose Hammert with the Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award during a special presentation at the organization's all-employee meeting last week.
The Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award is given annually to one of the 1,300 farmers and ranchers who work with the Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division. As part of its mission, the organization provides farmers, ranchers and other land managers called cooperators with no-cost consultation services and educational programs in an effort to help them achieve their financial, production, stewardship and quality-of-life goals.
Criteria for the Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award are based on accomplishments within the farmer or rancher's operation, their community service and their willingness to assist other farmers and ranchers, said Billy Cook, senior vice president and director of the Agricultural Division.
"The Hammerts are a special family, mixing the best of ranching traditions with the desire to keep up with cutting edge technology and new management practices," said Dan Childs, senior consultant. "They are dedicated to their community, their operation and the agricultural way of life. They are true stewards of the land and highly deserving of this year's Leonard Wyatt award."
Pete Hammert operates more than 900 acres near the family farm in Anadarko, Okla., where he was raised. While the drought has forced him to destock, Hammert usually runs stocker cattle, while raising wheat, canola and soybeans.
"With the knowledge the Noble Foundation has given me, the quality of my pastures and cropland has improved dramatically," Hammert said. "My stewardship is at a higher level than when I began farming many years ago, and I am proud of the land that I will leave for future generations."
Hammert discovered the Noble Foundation in 1989 when he found himself having trouble with one of his pastures. A friend, who was already a cooperator, referred him to the Noble Foundation for help. During the past 22 years, Hammert has spent numerous hours working with Noble's agricultural consultants to improve his farm production.
"The advice of the Noble Foundation is simple and fundamental," Hammert said. "They have experts in many different fields of agriculture who can devise a step-by-step plan to help farmers and ranchers improve their pastures and cattle."
His drive to better the land he manages is apparent to those around him. Hammert is quick to start following the advice of the consultation team.
"He often begins our recommendation while we are still on a farm visit," Childs said. "We'll turn around and Pete will be on the phone arranging to have a recommended activity carried out before we depart."
Hammert is known for being a beloved member of the Anadarko community. He has been involved with the Anadarko School Board, OSU Caddo County Alumni Association and many other activities. Among his fellow farmers and ranchers, he is known for being an advocate of the agricultural industry and the organization that has provided him so much assistance.
"The Noble Foundation has been so helpful with my farm and making me a better land manager that I often refer them to other farmers and ranchers," he said. "I always try and answer questions honestly from my own experiences, and the Noble Foundation is a large part of those experiences and why I am successful."
As winners of the Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award, Hammert will receive a plaque and belt buckle; his wife, Rose, will receive a bracelet. Their names will be placed on a permanent plaque that is displayed in the Agricultural Division Building lobby at the Noble Foundation's Ardmore campus.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
