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OSU honors Hampton for being 'truly unique commodity'Oklahoma
Joe Neal Hampton recently received one of the highest honors bestowed by Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources: the statewide organization's Distinguished Alumnus Award. Recognized as a leader of distinction not only within the agricultural community but also on the state and national legislative levels, Hampton earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in agricultural economics at OSU in 1971 and 1975, respectively. "The successes of our agriculture alumni are appreciated by everyone representing all three aspects of the division: the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and our two state agencies, the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service," said Robert E. Whitson, DASNR vice president, dean and director. Whitson said Hampton and his fellow distinguished agriculture alumni are held in the highest regard, in part because OSU agriculture and natural resource students can face positive futures from the strong examples created by such role models. "They are truly pioneers in their respective fields of agriculture," he said. Hampton has served as president and chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association since 1975. He has also served as executive vice president of the Oklahoma Seed Trade Association since 1982 and as president and chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association since 1989. He served as general manager and secretary-treasurer of the Enid Board of Trade from 1972 to 1999. Mike Woods, head of the division's department of agricultural economics, classifies Hampton's numerous leadership roles as being "critically important to Oklahoma agriculture." "Joe Neal Hampton combines his vast knowledge of issues with a true passion to make a difference," Woods said. "Our faculty members give Joe Neal significant credit for enhancing the effectiveness of DASNR programs offered to serve Oklahoma agriculture." A few of Hampton's numerous accomplishments on behalf of Oklahoma include spearheading the introduction of legislation to curb eco-terrorist attacks on plant biotechnology facilities and plots, securing state appropriations to fund a pesticide disposal program and championing programs designed to enable producers to protect their crops in ways that are both cost-effective and sustainable. He was instrumental in getting Oklahoma's fertilizer check-off program established in 1989. This resulted in financial support that has helped make the division's soil fertility program into one of the nation's best, with benefits affecting producers in Oklahoma and beyond. Bill Raun, a Regents professor and holder of the OSU Melvin and Mary Jones Endowed Professorship, said Hampton's work on behalf of Oklahoma agriculture has made the man "a truly unique commodity in our state." "He has always put doing what is right ahead of his own personal interests, for the sake of our producers and commercial enterprises in Oklahoma," Raun said. "Equally important has been his commitment to keep OSU abreast of current issues, both those originating at the local and state levels as well as Washington, D.C." Hampton resides in Waukomis, just south of Enid, in Garfield County. Joe Neal and Joan Hampton have their own farming operation of 240 acres, where they grow wheat and alfalfa and raise club lambs. They have two children and three grandchildren. Joining Hampton as 2008 OSU distinguished agriculture alumni are Mike Kubicek of the Oklahoma Peanut Commission and the late Clem McSpadden, the "voice of rodeo" for generations of farm and ranch families around the world. 11/10/08 Date: 11/6/08 Advertisement
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