Langston University

LANGSTON, Okla.––Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and John Boozman (R-AR) visited Langston University to tour the school’s agricultural research facilities and discuss the work the university does to help small farmers in Oklahoma and around the world through agricultural extension and research.

The Senators met with representatives of the university’s administration during their visit to the Langston campus on Friday, including newly appointed president Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson and the dean of the Sherman Lewis School of Agricultural and Applied Sciences, Dr. Wesley Whitaker. Joining the tour was Oklahoma Representative John Talley (R-Stillwater).

During their visit, the Senators toured the Dairy Herd Information Lab for Goats and the Central Lab before visiting the E. Kika de la Garza American Institute for Goat Research’s Main Farm, where Sen. Lankford and Sen. Boozman were able to tour the Kid Barn.

“This was truly a high impact visit by two prominent American senators,” Dr. Whittaker said. “The enthusiasm they expressed in seeing the quality and quantity of our work was truly palpable, and it will go a far way in helping to tell the success stories of Langston University and the 1890 land-grant community.”

Langston University is one of three land grant universities in Oklahoma, along with Oklahoma State University and the College of the Muscogee Nation. As an 1890 land–grant institution, one of the Langston University’s key missions is to conduct necessary research to support and promote agriculture accessibility, continued food security, and cooperative extension to provide resources and education to communities and farmers throughout Oklahoma and beyond. Many of Langston’s research programs aim to help small rural farmers make better use of their resources in innovative ways and solve problems facing the agriculture industry.

Prior to their visit to Langston University, Sen. Lankford and Sen. Boozman hosted the Senate Farm Bill Agriculture Stakeholder Roundtable in Oklahoma City, which was moderated by Secretary of Agriculture and Regent for the Oklahoma A&M System, Blayne Arthur. Sen. Boozman is the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee.

“We are honored to host Senator Lankford and Senator Boozman at Langston University’s Sherman Lewis School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences,” Dr. Jackson said. “Their support highlights the significance of our work in agricultural education and research in food security and small farming. We are proud to showcase the talents and innovations of our students and faculty.”