Roger Gribble honored as ‘2014 Professional Master Agronomist’ by OSU

Friday, May 23, 2014

Roger Gribble of Garfield County has been named a 2014 Professional Master Agronomist Award recipient by Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The Professional Master Agronomist Award was initiated in 1947 as a means of recognizing individuals within DASNR’s Extension and research systems who have actively contributed valuable public service through their efforts in the disciplines of soil conservation, range management or crop production.

An Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service professional for 32 years, Gribble served as OSU Cooperative Extension area agronomist for the state’s northwest district for the last 20 years of his tenure. His educational programs focused primarily on working with agricultural producers and Extension educators to maximize the positive benefits of technical advances in crop production.

“Oklahoma born and bred and a 1975 graduate of Guymon High School, Roger has long been well-regarded for being adept in all aspects of production – from weed management and soil fertility to crop rotation and variety and hybrid selection – and for his efforts related to producer application of continuing crop production advances through on-farm demonstrations and variety trials,” said Dave Porter, head of the OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Gribble’s contributions have been officially recognized by OSU, the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers, among others.

During Gribble’s tenure as area agronomist, he averaged approximately 100 presentations a year with 150 or more annual interactions with state producers and OCES professionals.

“It is undeniable that Roger Gribble has had an impact on crop production, not only in the northwest district but across the state,” said Brian Arnall, OSU Cooperative Extension precision nutrient management specialist. “Through his work, almost every county established at least one set of wheat plots for demonstration and research purposes.”

Gribble was a leading force for the Lahoma Field Day that takes place each year at DASNR’s North Central Research Station, helping to provide cutting-edge insights about production practices and technological advances to the thousands who have attended the annual event over the years.

“Roger also was a major proponent and leader in educational programming that helped promote the establishment of canola as an excellent source of income for Oklahoma farmers and a rotational crop for wheat,” Arnall said.

Gribble was renowned within Oklahoma agriculture circles for being one of the greatest proponents in the adoption of the N-Rich Strip and OSU-developed GreenSeeker technology, now utilized on nearly 500,000 acres of cropland across the state.

The Professional Master Agronomist award is presented annually during the OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Scholarship and Awards Banquet.