Agricultural specialists with The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division will host an informative meeting for farmers and ranchers who currently work with the nonprofit organization, as well as those looking for professional expertise to help improve their agricultural operation.

The meeting begins at 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Seminar Room at the Mid America Vo Tech Center Health Building, located at the Wayne/Payne exit of I-35. The meeting is free and open to all farmers and ranchers living in the following 14 Oklahoma counties: Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Garvin, Grady, Lincoln, Love, McClain, Murray, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie and Seminole.

"The upcoming meeting will provide the farmers and ranchers working with the Noble Foundation with progressive cow/calf information and an economic outlook for the cattle industry, as well as cover issues involved in pecan management," said Hugh Aljoe, Team Manager. "We'll discuss winter feeding programs, alternative forages to extend the growing season, and there will be an opportunity to interact with a team of agricultural specialists. We will also provide information for those farmers and ranchers interested in becoming Noble Foundation cooperators."

Farmers, ranchers and other land managers who participate in the Noble Foundation's agricultural consulting program are called "cooperators." The Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division has worked with such agricultural producers and managers in southern Oklahoma and north Texas for more than six decades, providing consultation services and educational programs, while also conducting research and demonstration projects.

"The Agricultural Division's mission is to help land managers achieve their financial, production, stewardship and quality-of-life goals," said Wadell Altom, Senior Vice President and Agricultural Division Director. "We achieve these goals through our extensive consultation program, which is the division's primary focus."

Currently, the Noble Foundation provides advice and assistance to more than 1,400 cooperators. Each cooperator is served by one of four consulting teams that is comprised of agricultural specialists with expertise in forages, livestock, soils and crops, agricultural economics, horticulture, and wildlife and fisheries. Team members work together to tailor recommendations to address each cooperator's unique circumstances. The Noble Foundation's agricultural consultation program is offered at no cost to participants in the Agricultural Division's service area - a 100-mile radius around Ardmore. Generally, this service area encompasses a region extending from Oklahoma City to Dallas and from Wichita Falls to Paris.

"It's difficult for people to believe that we offer quality, time-tested assistance while only asking for their active participation in return," Altom said. "Some people think it's too good to be true or that there's a catch, but this service is the vision of our founder, Lloyd Noble. We're proud to carry on his legacy to the next generation."

Since there is no cost to be a cooperator, inclusion in the program is contingent only upon active participation, which may include implementing recommendations, and providing production and other information back to the consulting team.

"The consulting program requires a significant investment of time by both parties," Altom said. "We begin by agreeing upon goals for enhancing the operation, and then both parties work to follow through. It's a straightforward process, but it can change the life and future of a farmer, rancher or land manager."

The Agricultural Division serves a 47-county area. For a complete list of counties and additional information about the program, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at www.noble.org/ag or call 580.224.6500.

To register for the December meeting, please call Becca McMillan, administrative assistant, at 580.224.6440.

07-064

###

News Release Issued: November 27, 2007

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. (www.noble.org), headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a nonprofit organization conducting agricultural, forage improvement and plant biology research; assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs; and providing grants to nonprofit charitable, educational and health organizations.