most!” Hiett said. “Although I enjoy teasing Jim, I am very pleased I chose to enter the public arena. I gained a tremendous opportunity to par- ticipate in Oklahoma’s history, serve people who otherwise would have no voice, and, most im- portantly, gain a great lifelong friend in Jim Reese.” Reese’s tenure serving in the legislature was deeply gratifying to him. He recalls it with fond memories. “I was very thankful for the opportunity. I invested a lot during that time. I left something I really liked behind, but it was the right thing to do. The people I met along the way taught me innumerous lessons,” Reese said. Before ending his term as legislator, Reese was appointed by the George W. Bush administra- tion to the role of state executive director for the USDA Farm Service Agency. In this capacity, Reese administered agriculture programs follow- ing guidelines from the federal level. “I knew the administrative experience would be good for me,” Reese said. “I administered the farm programs I had known for years. I was still involved in helping farmers, and we implemented a new Farm Bill in 2008.”
In 2011, while waiting in line at the post office,
Reese received a call from Gov. Mary Fallin invit- ing him to serve as the state’s secretary of agriculture. “Of all the people in Oklahoma who could have been selected, I feel honored and thankful it was me,” Reese said with a candid smile. “I’m thankful to the governor for the opportunity. I often won- der how a farm kid from Nardin had the chance to do this.” The farmer at heart didn’t disappoint; on the contrary, Gov. Fallin shows respect and gratitude for his contributions.
“Jim is passionate about agriculture and is a
strong and effective voice for farmers and ranchers in our state,” Gov. Fallin said. “He has spent his life representing Oklahoma’s agriculture interests and its rural communities. No one has gathered more expertise or worked harder for Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers than he has.”
Agriculture Ambassador As Secretary, Reese has set four priorities for
Oklahoma’s agriculture: 1) increase food
Resources Board and the Conservation Commission to create solutions,” Reese said. He cited the creation of additional water sup- plies for cities such as Altus, Tipton, Hollis and Guymon. The School Land Commission, the Conservation Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, Water Resources Board, OSU, OU and others have all partici- pated in efforts to reduce drought impact on Oklahoma. “This is something to look back at and say we made a difference. Making Oklahoma more drought-resistant for the future is certainly an accomplishment,” Reese said. “We’re stronger because we’re much better prepared.” Reese is proud of the Made in Oklahoma
Reese is a fourth- generation farmer.
manufacturing; 2) increase agriculture processing; 3) increase agriculture exports; and 4) increase to- tal agriculture cash receipts. “We are certainly making progress in each of
these areas,” Reese said. “We create $8 billion worth of agricultural products in livestock and crops; that is $8 billion that was not here last year. Two billion dollars is exported internationally. Exports create income for the state of Oklahoma.” His vision is to empower producers throughout the state with needed resources as well as educate consumers on the value of local agriculture. “Educating consumers is a challenge,” Reese
said. “There are fortune seekers making claims about eating habits, but they have no science background. They are trying to get rich with infor- mation they know little about while we are striving to provide the safest, most affordable food supply.” During his tenure, the secretary has been work- ing to make Oklahoma more drought-resistant. In 2011, after the hottest summer ever recorded in any state, the Department of Agriculture began developing various drought-prevention and assis- tance initiatives.
“Since 2011 we have added numerous water re- sources; the legislature and the governor created a drought commission working with the Water
(MIO) Coalition. He champions the empower- ment of local producers and businesses as they produce food products in their home state. As an example, Gina Hollingsworth is the owner of Southern Okie, a local business based in Edmond, Okla., that makes fruit spreads. Hollingsworth said the assistance she received from the Department of Agriculture and the MIO Coalition was invaluable for the growth of her business.
“I can’t speak enough about the MIO program and the Department of Agriculture. They have offered business development and marketing help and have been instrumental in the success of Southern Okie,” Hollingsworth said. Through this partnership, Southern Okie has
picked up national and international accounts. The fruit spreads are now available in local mar- kets, retail centers and several states in the United States as well as in Germany. To Reese, providing support to locally based businesses makes his mission rewarding. “What we try to do everyday is make Oklahoma
a better place to live. Whether it is for a beginning company, a food provider, or an agriculture pro- ducer, we want to help them succeed and improve the quality of life for our citizens,” Reese said. “As these food producing companies have success, Oklahoma is much better off.” Who knew the young farm boy from Nardin would inspire and empower so many Oklahomans? His grandparents and parents sowed the seeds. His passion blossomed, and his career has borne fruit for farmers throughout the state.
“What we try to do everyday is make Oklahoma a better place to live. Whether it
is for a beginning company, a food provider, or an agriculture producer, we want to help them succeed and improve the quality of life for our citizens.” - Secretary Jim Reese
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