OSU honors Rodd Moesel with its DASNR Champion award

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Rodd Moesel of Oklahoma City has been named a 2014 recipient of the Oklahoma State University Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources’ DASNR Champion award.

“Anyone who knows Rodd recognizes he has been a strong supporter of DASNR for decades and is very deserving of this award, which is one of the most prestigious honors the division can bestow on an individual,” said Mike Woods, DASNR interim vice president, dean and director. “He has had a significant positive effect on the land-grant mission in Oklahoma, not only in terms of the university but throughout the state and region.”

The DASNR Champion award recognizes individuals with exceptional records of providing meaningful and lasting benefits to Oklahoma as part of the state’s production, processing and related agricultural industries, in addition to being outstanding leaders in their communities and supporters of OSU’s land-grant mission.

Moesel is president and co-owner of American Plant Products and Services in Oklahoma City. In addition to serving the needs of countless commercial growers, his company has designed and built research greenhouses for university and federal facilities across the United States, and has constructed teaching greenhouses for more than 50 Oklahoma-based vocational agriculture programs.

“Rodd Moesel’s service to Oklahoma’s agriculture and horticulture industries is quite incredible in terms of its breadth, depth and longevity,” said Ron Elliott, interim head of DASNR’s department of horticulture and landscape architecture. “He is a civic-minded individual who has literally helped shape dozens of organizations.”

Among the organizations for which Moesel has served in top leadership roles are the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Greenhouse Growers Association, North American Horticulture Supply Association and Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, to name but a few.

He currently serves as one of two Oklahoma representatives on the national Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching. CARET works to promote support for and understanding of the land-grant university system’s agricultural and natural resources research, Extension and teaching programs that are mandated by state and federal law to actively engage in enhancing people’s quality of life.

“There is a real-world practicality to DASNR’s teaching, research and Extension programs,” Moesel said upon accepting the CARET position. “It is a privilege to speak with local, state, regional and national leaders about the division and OSU, as well as the ways in which the land-grant system has benefitted Oklahoma and the region.”

A particular strength of Moesel to speak on behalf of the division is the fact he has been a longtime member of the DASNR Dean’s Advisory Council, making him well versed when it comes to division programs and projects. In addition, Moesel has led fundraising efforts in support of a number of OSU Pickens Legacy Scholarships that benefit students enrolled in the division’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

He also served as co-chair of the DASNR fundraising committee supporting OSU’s billion-dollar “Branding Success” capital campaign.

“One of the most impressive things about Rodd is the fact he has offered his insights and talents in a sustained manner over a period of decades,” Elliott said. “He tirelessly gives of himself in helping others reach their goals and objectives.”

Earlier this year, Moesel was honored with the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture, making him the 17th Oklahoman to be inducted into the Agriculture Hall of Fame by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

He was named Green Industry Professional of the Year by the Oklahoma Nursery and Landscape Association in 2013.

Other honors recognizing Moesel’s lifelong contributions include the State Alumni Award from the Oklahoma 4-H Program in 2007, the State Distinguished Service Award from the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association in 1996, the Oklahoma State Small Business Advocate Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration in 1991 and the Oklahoma Master Florist Award from the Oklahoma State Florist Association in 1991.