Agricultural News
Castles Named OFB Farm Family of the Year
Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:28:36 CST
Richard and Cecelia Castle of Alfalfa County were named Farm Family of the Year at Oklahoma Farm Bureau's 71st Annual Convention Nov. 10, in Oklahoma City.
The Castles were one of six OFB district farm family finalists, chosen for their ability to best represent farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture. As state winners, the family received the use of a General Motors pickup for one year, a free trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention next January in Nashville, Tenn., and other prizes.
Oklahoma Farm Report's Ron Hays spoke with Richard Castle who said he's seen some surprising changes in farming over the last several decades.
"Probably the size of the machinery and just the size of the farms are so much bigger than when we started. We started with about a 600-acre farm and today we farm about 6,000 acres. So, it takes a lot more machinery and a lot more people," Castle said.
The Castles began their farming career in 1960, after they graduated from Oklahoma State University. The couple rented a farm from Richard's parents and raised wheat and hogs. Today, their operation consists of more than 6,000 acres of wheat, milo, alfalfa and pastureland and 150 cow/calf pairs. They also run about 2,000 stocker cattle each year.
Richard and Cecelia have three children and 13 grandchildren, who all live close to the family farm. Their son, Kent, works full-time for the farm and their grandson, Colton, also recently joined the operation.
The couple's Farm Bureau involvement includes several local and state leadership roles. Richard has served as a county board member and county president, and Cecelia is a member of the Alfalfa County Women's Committee. Richard has served as a county delegate to the OFB Annual Meeting, and the couple is involved with the county resolutions meeting each fall. Richard has also been a member of the Lion's Club for 35 years and is a past president, and the Castles are active in their church, school athletic events and the local fair board.
You can hear more from Richard Castles by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below. You can also read about more award winners named at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting by clicking here.
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