February 28, 2026 Issue, Page 13 of 14

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NEWS The Elk City News SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026 • 13 By Dianna Butler They Walk Among Us ership and the youth groups’ di- bring about the question-- “What is back that stock trailer with the pre- its FFA with his development and instilled confidence into me, and I versity initiatives could jeopardize actually being taught in the Ag Ed cision of a brain surgeon while un- honing of his leadership skills and try to pass that on to my students …the current and former wear- FFA’s mission – and, potentially, its Classroom? That seems like a ques- der the scrutiny of an audience of his public speaking skills. He states, each day.” She also says that FFA ers of that blue corduroy jacket. tax-exempt status. Exactly what is tion that could be easily answered bystanders, and yet, rival Bill Gates “Without the FFA, I could have helped her to understand diversity National FFA Week is upon us, the FFA’s mission? The national or- but is not so! As with anything, the in computer skills? never successively run for office. I in that every person has different which brings to mind the FFA pro- ganization puts forth as its mission: instruction actually lies, “Where the As with any company, it is only learned valuable research skills and strengths and passions. grams across the state. However, “Growing the next generation of rubber meets the road.” Local Ag as good as its end product. With presentation skills, but most impor- According to Bray Haven, Exec- most of us do not realize that the leaders who will change the world. Ed instructors are apparently some that in mind, I contacted several tantly, I honed the ability to address utive Vice President of Cattlemen’s National FFA is under fire from FFA makes a positive difference in kind of genies as they are required “end product” individuals to deci- those public speaking judges effec- Congress and Principal of BLH political activists, and possibly the lives of students by developing to adhere to the National and State pher if, indeed, their time in FFA tively while presenting my positon Consulting Government Affairs, others, demanding transparency their potential for premier leader- Ag Ed curriculum/requirements all had yielded them any productive on my speech topic, much like I “There is no other organization or in policies and business transac- ship, personal growth and career the while meeting the expectations skills that carried them into work do in Congress today.” In addition, program that better prepares you tions. As with any organization success through agricultural edu- of local school boards and their and/or their careers. According Lucas says that “FFA exposed me to for life than the FFA. I learned valu- that achieves national recognition, cation.” This, at first, seems to be a communities. They must jump to Josh Haven, Vice President of the world.” He recalls that he would able management skills that I use the National FFA now has drawn great amount of educational rhet- through the hoops of agri-science Security State Bank in Cheyenne, have never even been on the OSU every day in my adult life. Also, the criticism from the group calling oric, but these accusations force an to ag business to animal science “FFA taught me the importance of campus without FFA opening up contacts I made not only through- itself, “Save Oklahoma Farms and introspection of the National FFA. and onward to ag communication, networking. I learned the valuable that avenue of experience for him. out the state but also nationally Ranches,” who does have its own FFA, no doubt, is the largest to leadership development, to plant lessons of building relationships Chrystal Allen Marshall, in- have proven to be invaluable.” Facebook page. According to an- youth organization in the nation. science, to farm shop skills, and not only with community members dependent cattle producer and FFA, yes, a National and State other group, “Hands Off My Land,” To date, there are 1,042, 245 FFA thus and so attempting to meet the but beyond. I developed and honed co-owner of JL Allen Cattle Com- Organization—but it is the local which can be followed on Oklaho- members in 9,407 chapters in all standards of this diversified curric- my ag business skills and learned pany, believes that FFA embed- chapter in the public school ag ma State Senator, District 27, Casey 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. ulum. how to communicate not only as a ded into her the ag business skills classroom where leadership, com- Murdock’s Facebook page or on Virgin Islands, and indeed, the ag The FFA is not just about weld- presenter but also one-on-one with she uses every day. “FFA taught munication, financial literacy, work its own Facebook page, the “Save ed curriculum is as diverse and ing and show animals. The FFA individuals. I use those skills every me how to network with other ag ethic, record keeping, entrepre- Oklahoma Farms and Ranches” varied as the organization itself re- changed its name from “Future day.” people who can give me valuable neurship, community respect, and group calls FFA a “complete joke” volving around but not limited to a Farmers of America” to the “Na- Phil Thomas, the Director of up-to-date ag information about community responsibility is not just and accuses the FFA of “enslaving three-tier model of instruction: 1) tional FFA Organization” in 1988 to Radiology at Roger Mills Coun- current events. I developed great taught but modeled. It gives hands- our future.” Yet another group, the Classroom/Laboratory Instruction reflect the massive expansion and ty Hospital, says that FFA taught communication skills through my on experience and teaches students “Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranch- (contextual learning) 2) Supervised diversity of the agriculture industry him “pressure is a privilege.” He FFA Public Speaking Class as well how to win humbly and how to es: The Herd,” which deems itself as Agricultural Experience Programs beyond traditional farming, recog- expounds on that with, “My time as learning animal science and lose graciously. FFA is a pipeline “the gathering place for the HERD (work-based learning) and 3) Stu- nizing careers in science, technol- at Woodward Regional Hospital—I marketing skills. I think that ag that provides a steady stream to the of Political Animals,” also calls the dent leadership organizations (Na- ogy, business, and more, while still was told I was hired because they class taught me more life skills than workforce. Look around you, those National FFA organization a “com- tional FFA Organization, National adhering to its agricultural roots. believed in my ability to perform any other class, and those skills help former blue jacket wearers are your plete joke” and hurls accusations at Young Farmer Educational Associ- While the National FFA grapples my job at the highest possible level.” me with my daily ranching respon- doctors, lawyers, legislators, ag the organization of “not even being ation, and National Post-secondary with activists and politics, local Ag He states in his ag class he learned sibilities.” producers—they are your medical aware of what they are putting in the Agricultural Student Organiza- Ed Instructors discover that they three important lessons that he still Lia Hillman, classroom teach- staff, your school teachers, your ground.” According to AGDAILY, tion.) must be good mechanics, above-av- uses today: 1) Practice makes per- er, explains it very well: “Showing pharmacists, your police officers. House Republicans are demand- Meanwhile, an old adage, “back erage welders, be able to change fect 2) Communication skills are animals taught me responsibility, They walk among us, but they all ing records from the National FFA at the ranch” comes to mind. Tak- a trailer tire with Olympic speed key to success and 3) Show up and work ethic, and pride. I developed discovered a secret—that blue jack- Organization about its partnership ing the large leap from the National and accuracy, be able to perform show out! Be confident in yourself my photography and writing skills et and those magical FFA shoes can with Syngenta Group, arguing the FFA Organization to the local pub- in extreme heat as well as snow and and in the skills you have acquired.” in FFA –skills I still use every day. take you anywhere. agribusiness’ Chinese state own- lic schools across the state, does ice—there’s diversity for you,—and Congressman Frank Lucas cred- FFA helped me find my voice and McArthur Family Clinic Marks First Anniversary Strength in Numbers Elk City is thriving. Although Elk City is in the heart City has invested in its downtown. By Sheryl Ponce Sales tax numbers show how vi- of rural western Oklahoma more And it’s invested in its parks brant a city’s economy is. than 100 miles from the state cap- and is reaping the benefits of sports The Elk City Chamber of Commerce celebrated McAr- Elk City is in the state’s top 5% ital, it generates as much sales tax tourism that brings thousands of thur Family Clinic’s one year anniversary and welcomed in sales-tax generation, which is vi- revenue as Mustang and Jenks even people to town every year for at- them to the Chamber with a ribbon cutting Feb. 18th. Ka- brant and then some. though they have more than twice tractions at Ackley Park, the Ar- see McArthur, APRN, along with her staff Torei Fite, LPN, According to the most recent the population and are located near rowhead Center, the 5 Plex Base- Alyssa Hargrove, receptionist, and Elite Aesthetics with one-month numbers, Elk City the state’s two largest population ball Fields, and the 5 Plex Softball Shannon Buie, RN, gathered for the occasion. businesses generated $1,349,037.29 centers. fields. The clinic is located at 103 Clyde Ave., and they can be in sales tax revenue. This is virtual- That takes work. Which is great for local business reached at 580-301-5025 for appointments or more infor- ly the same as Mustang and Jenks. Agriculture and industry still and economic development. mation. The chamber members and staff loved helping According to the Census Bureau, drive the local economy, but Elk Of Oklahoma’s nearly 600 mu- them with the celebration, along with all teir family and Elk City’s population is 11,383. City has diversified with small nicipalities, Elk City ranks 42nd in friends. Mustang’s is 23,965, and Jenks’s is businesses that employ six, or eight, population. McArthur is married to Kriston, and they have three 27,869. or 10 people. But it’s 26th in sales tax genera- sons named Maddox, Jaxon, and Braxton. Mustang is just 17 miles from While the economic center near tion, which puts it in the state’s top Give them a call to arrange an appointment or find out Oklahoma City, while Jenks is only Interstate 40 on the east side of 5%. more about the clinic. 12 miles from Tulsa. town is a major contributor, Elk Elk City is thriving.