4-H for Oklahoma: OSU alum dedicates his career to supporting youth development
Monday, January 12, 2026
Media Contact: Sophia Fahleson | Digital Communications Specialist | 405-744-7063 | sophia.fahleson@okstate.edu
During his childhood as a devoted 4-H member from Shattuck, Oklahoma, Milford Jenkins wore his 4-H green with pride. He was just a boy, excited to raise and exhibit his livestock. Today, he serves as the executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, committed to providing those same opportunities to the next generation of youth.
Milford Jenkins’ leadership of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation represents a career built on philanthropy, service and agricultural education. His dedication to youth organizations has continued to expand over the years.
Before Milford Jenkins was managing donor relationships and leading foundations, he was an Oklahoma farm kid who grew up involved in 4-H before putting on the blue corduroy jacket of the FFA.
“I was a product of both,” Milford Jenkins said. “I was in 4-H until I was a freshman in high school, and then, at that time, I transitioned to FFA.”
Milford Jenkins was elected the Oklahoma Northwest District FFA president in 1982 and later served as the Oklahoma FFA state president from 1983 to 1984.
In 1984, Milford Jenkins received his American FFA Degree at the National FFA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. After his FFA journey, he attended Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in agricultural education.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from OSU in 1987, Milford Jenkins student taught in Bethel, Oklahoma.
Following his teaching experience, Milford Jenkins said he was presented the opportunity to serve as the Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council executive director for about 21 months.
His wife, Peggy Jenkins, said fundraising always brought him joy.
“I always asked him when he came home if he raised any money,” Peggy Jenkins said. “If he did, he was in a good mood.”
Upon finishing out this role, Milford Jenkins took a new position with OSU where he reached out to donors for support through the OSU Foundation.
“As the years have progressed, it’s amazing what Oklahoma State University can do when alumni come forward with their philanthropic gifts and charitable support,” Milford Jenkins said.
In Fall 2004, Milford Jenkins recalled receiving the latest Angus Journal in the mail and reading it cover to cover in his living room on the couch.
While reading, he saw an article written by John Crouch, executive vice president of the American Angus Association, discussing a new position to lead the Angus Foundation, Milford Jenkins said.
“I recall standing in the kitchen, and the Lord spoke to me and said, ‘Milford, I’m sending you to St. Joseph, Missouri, to be president of the American Angus Association’s Angus Foundation,’” he said.
Miford Jenkins said he presented the article to his wife, and she knew he seemed interested.
Milford Jenkins began his new position with the Angus Foundation in May 2005. Before returning to Oklahoma, he grew the foundation’s assets from $1.9 million to $21.5 million.
“Milford is very passionate about anything and everything he does,” said Peggy Jenkins.
After 15 years with the Angus Foundation, Milford Jenkins returned to his Oklahoma 4-H roots.
In June 2019, Milford Jenkins assumed the role of executive director for the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation.
Milford Jenkins’ primary role as the executive director is raising money for the foundation, said Steve Beck, Oklahoma 4-H program leader. Milford Jenkins secures private funding to support youth development programs, scholarships, awards and activities for Oklahoma 4-H.
Milford Jenkins also builds relationships with numerous individuals and organizations to obtain philanthropic gifts for youth.
“He is very passionate about raising money for scholarships and programs,” Beck said.
With Milford Jenkins' experience, he said he was able to raise the Oklahoma 4-H Foundations' assets from $11 million to $15 million over the last six years.
Before taking on the leadership role as executive director, Milford Jenkins was one of many youth members impacted by the program, learning leadership, responsibility and hard work through his livestock projects.
“Milford Jenkins is a person of high integrity,” Beck said. “He is a very hard worker — one of the first to arrive and last to leave.”
From his early years as an outgoing 4-H member to his decades of agricultural leadership, Beck said Milford Jenkins’ career reflects his lifelong dedication to instilling youth and advancing agriculture.
Now, back to where it all began, Milford Jenkins said he plans to ensure Oklahoma 4-H youth have the same opportunities that once shaped his life.
Story by Kaitlyn Broughton | Cowboy Journal