Pioneer Tech Ag Business Coordinator Receives State Award Pioneer Technology Center’s Agriculture Business Management Coordinator, Jeff Lockett, received the state’s honor as Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council Member of the Year. The award was given at the Annual Oklahoma Association of Conservation District (OACD) State Meeting this past month. The three-day meeting’s theme was “Planting the Seeds for the Future - New Horizons Bring New Challenges.” The event included speech contests, youth and conservation partners’ awards, concurrent sessions, organizational meetings, a trade show, and guest speakers such as the Honorable Jari Askins, Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) division of the USDA recognized groups and individuals that had made outstanding conservation contributions in 2008 at the Oklahoma Association of Conservation District’s annual meeting. The conservation partnerships statewide illustrate the importance of people and organizations becoming actively involved in a local community to have a positive effect on our natural resources. Jeff Lockett was recognized as one of those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the state by his work as a council member of Wheatland RC&D. Jeff calls Fairfax, Okla. his home and has been employed at Pioneer Technology Center in Ponca City for over eight years. According to Dr. Steve Tiger, “Jeff’s involvement and partnership, not only with our local county conservation groups, but with Wheatland and the state, benefit the Pioneer Tech District by bringing in innovation, knowledge, and one-on-one assistance to our agriculturally based stakeholders.” Specifically in regard to Wheatland RC&D, “Lockett has provided excellent leadership to the Wheatland RC&D Council, and served as the chairman for seven years. Under his leadership, the council was able to modify by-laws to expand membership and increase diversity. Lockett has been instrumental in the development of Wheatland’s area plan, which has included the completion of 35-50 new projects each year. Lockett has also served on the Oklahoma Association of RC&D Council and is now the current vice president of the organization. Under Lockett’s leadership, Wheatland has substantially exceeded any normal expectations, and has become recognized as a viable leader in the number of projects, grants, and dollars available for assistance,” remarked Carl Smith, Wheatland RC&D Director. Wheatland RC&D serves Alfalfa, Blaine, Canadian, Garfield, Grant, Kay, Kingfisher, Logan, Major, and Noble counties. Lockett coordinates Pioneer Tech’s Agricultural Business Management program. His program offers farm families a variety of services including Quicken record keeping and assistance with preparing farm plans, farm loans, financial statements, marketing, and tax planning. Individual farm visits are planned to determine the each farmer’s needs and goals. For more information about the program or Pioneer Tech, call 580-762-8336.

Posted on Wednesday, April 01, 2009 (Archive on Thursday, April 30, 2009) Posted by ljackson  Contributed by ljackson

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