Agricultural Education, 1967 & 1968

 
Sen. Ron Justice of Chickasha, Oklahoma, is a two-time graduate of OSU, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in agricultural education in 1967 and 1968, respectively. He served as OSU Cooperative Extension educator for Grady County from 1968 until he retired in 2003. In retirement, Justice served as a state senator for 12 years and is retiring from public service this year.

 

During his legislative tenure, Justice worked tirelessly to represent the interests of his district and the agricultural industry. His more than 30 years in Extension provided Justice a unique understanding of agriculture in Oklahoma, knowledge he shared with his colleagues in the Senate.

 

His work helped secure a $2.3 million state appropriation for DASNR in 2014, including $1 million each for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station and $300,000 for equipment upgrades at the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center.

 

As District 23’s senator, Justice served as the vice-chairman of appropriations and chairman of the appropriations subcommittee on natural resources and regulatory services. He also was vice-chairman of agriculture and rural development, as well as a member of the tourism and wildlife committee, and energy and rules committee.

 

Justice has been honored with the Outstanding Legislator Award from the Oklahoma Pork Council and has been a member of the Chickasha Lions Club for more than 40 years. He also is a member of the Grady County Cattle Producers, Mineral Owners Association and the Alfalfa Hay Association.