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Wyatt Family Receives New Foundation Award
Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award honors long-time cooperator

ARDMORE, Okla. — The Noble Foundation presented its inaugural "Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award" to the late Mr. Wyatt?s family during the Southern Plains Beef Symposium on Aug. 10.

Wyatt, who passed away in February 2002, was a successful farmer-stockman and a long-time Foundation cooperator from Purcell, Okla.

The award will be given to the Noble Foundation cooperator who best exemplifies leadership in agricultural production techniques, stewardship of natural resources, and profitability of their overall farm/ranch operation. Following the example set by Wyatt, recipients will have demonstrated their willingness to help others by participating in producer forums, hosting field days and tours, etc.

Gladys Wyatt, Mr. Wyatt?s widow, and their children, Mark Wyatt and Linda Mones, accepted the award plaques presented by Foundation agricultural economist Fred Schmedt. Seven other members of the Wyatt family also were on hand for the occasion.

"Leonard was willing to try new practices," said Wadell Altom, the Agricultural Division?s administrative coordinator, who had known Wyatt since 1966. "He kept excellent records of those practices from year to year, so he knew what was profitable and what wasn?t."

Wyatt also shared his experiences and knowledge with other agricultural producers.

"Whether you came by to visit or listened to him speak on a program, he was willing to share his knowledge with anyone," Altom said. "We named this award to honor Leonard because he helped so many people, and we thought it would be appropriate to present the first one to the Wyatt family."

Mark Wyatt, who now maintains operations on the L-Wy-Co farm, said that it was a great honor for the family to receive the award.

"Towards the end of his life, my father had a peace about him because he knew he had achieved the goals he had set for himself in production agriculture," he said. "I really appreciate what the Noble Foundation did for Dad."

In addition to the plaques presented to outstanding cooperators or their families, winners will receive a belt buckle or other appropriate jewelry commemorating the award. A plaque also will be placed in the reception area of the Agricultural Building on the Foundation?s campus listing the winners of the award.

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Photos:
		Award2002.jpg — cutline: (from left) Mark Wyatt, Gladys Wyatt, the Foundation’s Fred Schmedt, and Linda Mones after the presentation of the Leonard Wyatt Memorial Outstanding Cooperator Award on Aug. 10.
		LeonardWyatt.jpg — cutline: A photo of Leonard Wyatt from the Foundation’s archives.

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a non-profit organization conducting agricultural, forage biotechnological, and plant biology research; providing grants to numerous non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.

To learn more, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release