REAL MOMS OF THE METRO
Full Circle Blayne Arthur serves as Oklahoma’s first female secretary of agriculture
WATCHING HER CHILDREN GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR AGRICULTURE, JUST LIKE SHE AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER DID, IS VERY REWARDING FOR ARTHUR.
BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
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A farmer and rancher herself, Arthur acutely understands the needs of her constituents, thanks to a childhood spent on a farm in Chickasha and now operating a farm and business with husband Jerrod, providing show cattle for students in 4-H and FFA. Arthur’s humble, passionate spirit combined with big-picture vision and leadership marked by character and conviction serve those she guides well, both in her profession and as a mom. Arthur’s own mom reveled in motherhood while also breaking barriers in her career. A veterinarian at a time when there weren’t many females in the industry, Dr. Margaret “Peggy” Clark was working for the Department of Agriculture when she died in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building. Arthur was 13 years old, the middle of 15- and 6-year-old sisters. Today, Arthur carries her mother’s business card alongside her own, bearing the same institution, marveling at the beauty of that circle. “One of the vets that worked with her here
gave me the card, which is so special,” said Arthur. “I wonder if she had any idea her kids would be invested in agriculture, too.” Professional vision Though just completing her first year as Oklahoma’s secretary of agriculture, Arthur has long been lauded by her professional peers as an expert in the industry, named Oklahoma’s 2014 Agricultural Woman of the Year and 2019 Ag Person of the Year. As Oklahoma’s secretary of agriculture, Arthur serves as chief advisor to Gov. Kevin Stitt on policy development and implementation related to agricultural, forestry and food issues. Her days vary drastically, meeting with commodity groups like the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association or Oklahoma Pork Council to discuss policy issues, hosting guests from other states or countries who want to learn about agriculture in Oklahoma, working with staff to make processes more efficient or visiting farmers and ranchers across the state to talk
In January 2019, Blayne Arthur was appointed the first female secretary of agriculture in the state of Oklahoma. A lifelong proponent of and participant in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, Arthur brings a unique perspective to the position as she recalls life skills learned through student agriculture programs and watches her two children follow in her footsteps. Arthur’s focus on supporting and encouraging Oklahoma youth also stems from nearly three years as executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, where she worked closely with student officers and ambassadors throughout the state to share how 4-H programs provide students with leadership development, skill building and career opportunities.
26 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / APRIL 2020
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