With an extensive history in farming, along with much more, Nocona Cook is ready to serve as the next member of the State Board of Agriculture.
As a board member representing the Southwest District, Cook will help oversee different departments within the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.
The department, which describes itself as “being dedicated to protecting and promoting the highest standard of agricultural goods and natural resources for all Oklahomans,” deals with a variety of aspects in the agriculture, food, and forestry industry such as agriculture environmental management, food safety, wildlife services, and much more.
Reviewing budgets, implementing programs related to the department, and setting policies and regulations are just some of the things Cook will assist with the decision-making process.
“I never in a million years dreamed that I would be in the situation I am right now. It’s a huge honor,” Cook said. “It’s very humbling that enough people thought about me to put me in a position to oversee all of the agriculture industry in the state of Oklahoma.”
Cook, who was appointed to the board by Governor Kevin Stitt, said he applied for the member status as a way to make sure farming would be continued in his family.
As a fifth-generation farmer, Cook has seen the number of farmers in the ag industry drop over the years.
“I wanted my boys to have the same opportunity that I had to continue farming,” Cook said.
Wanting to make a difference in the industry, Cook saw this as an opportunity to help better shape the agricultural world for the future.
“It seems like every day there’s less farmers and there’s more regulations from all different government agencies,” Cook said. “I’ve always wanted to do something about it, and this opportunity came up. I could be in a position to try to do something, to help the farmers of Oklahoma and try to maintain this lifestyle for my kids and future generations.”
Coming from a long line of farmers, Cook has extensive experience in dealing with agriculture, dealing with raising wheat, alfalfa, and cotton, his swathing and hay-baling business, his cow-calf operation, and he and his wife’s angus cattle operation.
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur showed confidence in Cook’s ability to serve on the board.
“There is no doubt Nocona Cook brings extensive knowledge and experience to the State Board of Agriculture,” Arthur said. “I am eager to see the impact he makes on the industry through his service in this capacity and I am confident his background will enhance Oklahoma agriculture.”
With the support of his family along with the sponsorship from Senator Brent Howard, Cook can use the knowledge he has gained over the years to fulfill this goal and use the knowledge he has garnered over time.
“Farming is all I wanted to do ever since I was old enough to know what was going on. I grew up on the floor of the tractor and the floor of the combine riding with my dad and my grandpa,” Cook said. “That continues to be what I’m passionate about and what I enjoy and want to do- I’m just born and bred to be a farmer.”
In addition to the agriculture side of things, Cook also serves as the fire chief for the Cloud Chief Fire Department as well as an EMT there.
The forestry department for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry was yet another reason for Cook wanting to be a part of the board.
“Those are my two biggest passions and two of the biggest reasons I wanted to serve on this board,” Cook said. “When you put my two
biggest passions, agricultural and fire service, together it was too good of a deal to pass up or to not try for.”
Additionally, Cook has also served or continues to serve on several boards and associations such as the Cordell School Board, the Washita County Fire Chief Association, the Washita County Farm Bureau, as well as others.
“Those are just kind of all stepping stones to get me to where I’m at right now,” Cook said. “I take pride in serving all these boards just to help people... I’ve always taken pride in being the kind of person that’s not just going to sit around and complain about [things]. I’m going to get up and see what I can do to make things better for others.”
Ultimately, Cook said he is excited to undertake this new responsibility to help those that he can and is grateful to all of those who have helped him get to this point.
“I just really want to thank my family for the support. I know with as many things that I’m involved in, it takes a lot of time away from my wife Jordan, and my two boys Denton and Baylor. I know being gone to meetings all the time is tough on them,” Cook said. “I couldn’t do what I’ve done right now without the help of so many other people also. I want to point out that it’s a group effort, and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau had a tremendous part in helping me get this position of being appointed to the Department of Agriculture.”