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.

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.

Photos

Richard and Cecelia Castle of Jet, Okla., are presented with the 2012 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year award from OFB Womens' Committee Chairman Kitty Beavers and OFB President Mike Spradling. The Castles were named Farm Family of the Year during the 2012 Farm Bureau annual meeting in Oklahoma City on Saturday, Nov. 10.

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Richard and Cecelia Castle stand next to the Chevy Silverado pickup of which they won a years' use as being named Oklahoma Farm Bureau's Farm Family of the Year. The Castles, who farm and ranch near Jet, Okla., were given the honor at the OFB annual meeting in Oklahoma City on Saturday, Nov. 10.

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