T
he Odell family of Byars was recognized as Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s District 8 farm and ranch family of the year at the organization’s 84th annual meeting Saturday, Nov. 8, in Oklahoma City.
Leroy and Karen Odell farm and ranch on their Byars farm south of the Canadian River. Soon to be recognized as a centennial farm, Leroy has always called this ground home. Growing up milking cows, growing hay and operating a 5,000-laying-hen operation, Leroy’s vision for what he would turn the farm into began in the 1970s.
While working full-time as a carpenter, he purchased the farm from his parents and began building his Maine-Anjou herd, attending artificial insemination school and studying embryo transplant techniques to further improve his herd. The couple also has raised show cattle prospects and grown hay and pecans.
Being named a student of people, land and animals, Leroy has always taken an interest in observing and learning new information. He sought knowledge and attended various classes to help improve their herd’s genetics and pasture quality. Using the breeding techniques learned, Leroy produced prize-winning cattle, processed beef for sale, created his own feed mixes and improved his crops. Additionally, he attended school, learning grafting techniques for pecan trees and increasing crop quality and production.
“We showed cattle all over the United States,” Leroy said. “We had the grand champion bull in Columbus, Ohio, and then we took the same bull and showed it all the way to Phoenix, Arizona, and won the bull show there. We’ve had good success with our show cattle and have met a lot of good people. We have farmed, baled hay, cut firewood, we’ve done it all just trying to make a living. It’s a good life whether you make a living or not.”
Today, although partially retired, the two continue to raise Maine-Anjou cattle, where Leroy helps AI and check the herds in addition to keeping the pecan grove free of debris and keeping the farm in order.
“We harvested pecans probably for 25 years,” Karen said. “I was the stick picker, and he was the harvest man. As we grew and planted trees, we ended up harvesting for ourselves and other people too.”
The Odells raised their three children, Tammy, Brett and Laura, on the family farm and ranch. Today, their son Brett, living just east of the Odells’ farm, has taken an instrumental role on the operation.
“Brett is the one who keeps us together now,” Karen said. “As we’ve gotten older, Brett is the one who runs the cattle and hooks up the equipment.”
The Odells take pride in being involved through their church and community. The two have spent over 60 years serving and supporting their local FFA and 4-H chapters, the Pottawatomie and Pontotoc County Junior Livestock shows, and the Oklahoma Maine-Anjou Association. Leroy has served on the Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau and Oklahoma Farm Bureau boards for the past 21 years, where he and Karen have also visited Washington, D.C., and the Oklahoma state Capitol as representatives of OKFB.
“Living on the farm is like living in God’s country,” Karen said. “People don’t appreciate how much beauty there is in the world. Where we live here, we can see the sun go up in the morning and the sun go down in the evening and there is nothing more beautiful than that.”
OKFB’s Farm and Ranch Family Recognition program celebrates nine farm and ranch families from around the state who carry on the best traditions of Oklahoma agriculture and our rural communities.
“Our family farmers and ranchers across Oklahoma work each and every day to feed and clothe our state and country while caring for the land and natural resources that we all depend on,” said Mignon Bolay, OKFB WLC chair. “Our Women’s Leadership Committee is honored to recognize these nine farm and ranch families and share their stories of agricultural achievements and service to their local, rural communities.”As part of their recognition, the family received a cash award and a custom sign to hang at their farm gate. The family was also recognized at the 2025 OKFB convention with a video sharing their agricultural operation and heritage.
