Ferguson College of Agriculture

Each year, one agricultural educator from across the state of Oklahoma is selected as the Teacher in Residence, a program made possible through an endowment from Richard Carter, an Oklahoma State University agricultural education alumnus. Once selected, this educator joins the agricultural education program for three days to meet with faculty, observe students and ultimately share knowledge.

 

This year, Bruce Farquhar of Altus, Oklahoma, was selected as the Teacher in Residence.

 

Farquhar graduated high school in Altus, Oklahoma, and returned there after college to begin his teaching career. Now, 45 years later, Farquhar has spent his entire teaching career at his alma mater.

 

Going into high school, Farquhar signed up for an introduction to agriculture course. This is where his passion for agricultural education began, although it was not like many traditional ag students, he said.

 

“I was very much a non-traditional ag student,” Farquhar said.

 

Farquhar did not come from a long legacy of agricultural educators. Instead, he grew up in a military family, so he often moved around as a child. This led his family to Altus.

 

“As far as who probably had the greatest influence on me becoming an ag teacher, would have been my ag teachers,” Farquhar said.

 

After graduating high school, Farquhar headed to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to begin his collegiate career studying agricultural education at OSU. He said he was fortunate to have been taught by who he called the “ag ed legends.” Farquhar said these legends had a great impact on him and helped direct him to become an ag teacher. While at OSU, Farquhar student taught in Wayne, Oklahoma, where he worked alongside Gary Ross. He enjoyed his time student teaching, referring to it as a wonderful experience.

 

While on campus this semester, Farquhar said he got the chance to meet with agricultural education faculty members and current students. He said he taught a couple of classes to students who will be student teaching next semester. He also got to visit a current student teacher in the classroom.

 

When asked about being selected as the Teacher in Residence, Farquhar said he felt honored and humbled at the chance to work with young people entering his profession. He said the agricultural education program at OSU is one of the best around.

 

“It’s very impressive the way the program has grown in regard to the ag ed program here at Oklahoma State. There is not another program in the country that can compare with it,” Farquhar said. “We are preparing the elite ag teachers in the United States here in Oklahoma.”  

 

To learn more about the OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership or the Teacher in Residence program, visit the website.