is to get answers that apply to very broad areas.” Going into the process, farmers are aware of the possible hardships and how those will affect them, Arnall said. “They give up a lot,” Arnall said. “We ask them to slow down when it’s time to go. Most producers want to go fast and not stop. Most of the time they give up production. We might be taking an acre out of production for them. That’s a challenge.” Each of the research studies is different, Lofton said. During some trials, farmers are asked to treat the plots as they normally would and researchers come and collect samples, he added. On other trials, the cooperating farmers are asked to not do anything to the plots, Lofton said. “We may say to them, ‘Please just look at it,’” Lofton said. “‘Bring your neighbors to it.’ Maybe they’re a strong believer in this practice, but maybe their fellow farmers at the coffee shop aren’t using it.” The goal of on-farm research is to establish diversified datasets and a better understanding, Arnall said. OSU cannot replicate the different variables such as environment, soils and terrain around Oklahoma within its research stations, he added. “On-farm research improves the broad application, significance and reliability of our science,” Arnall said. “It also allows us to take our science directly to the producers so they experience it firsthand.” Working with farmers and doing on-farm research across Oklahoma provides better opportunities to do more diverse research, Arnall said. “It is one thing to show producers something on a research farm which is intensively managed for research,” Arnall added. “It is a whole new level to show them something on their own farm or their neighbors’ farms.”
TIA ROZELL OSAGE COUNTY OKLAHOMA
Liz (left) and Cathleen Taylor have a combined 20 years of extension work experience. Photo by Matt Staples.
TWO GENERATIONS OF 4-H PASSION
A mother and daughter’s shared passion for serving youth has created a dynamic duo within the Oklahoma 4-H program. Daughter Cathleen Taylor serves as the assistant state specialist for leadership and civic engagement. Mother Liz Taylor serves as the extension director and educator for 4-H and youth development in Grady County. “Our jobs often overlap,” Cathleen Taylor said. “We have worked together on several different leadership projects and have taught workshops together about leadership and civic engagement. Working together puts an interesting spin on this duo’s relationship, Cathleen Taylor said. They often joke about Cathleen Taylor being her mother’s boss, although that is not necessarily true, she added. “Mom really shaped me and opened the ‘4-H door’ for me when I was 12,” she added. “But I never would have imagined it would one day lead to us working together in extension.” Liz Taylor said she never anticipated her daughter’s 4-H involvement would lead to an extension career, but she is thrilled with the position Cathleen Taylor has now. “We talk about everything and have many things in common, but we do sometimes have to make ourselves turn work off,” Liz Taylor said. “It has made us grow closer together because we have the same passion for youth and education. We fully understand each other’s position with that passion.” Cathleen Taylor said they often problem solve together and bounce ideas off of each other about various projects. 4-H events and programs are often a reunion for the Taylor family, as most of their family is involved to different extents, Cathleen Taylor said. Liz Taylor’s other daughter, Emily, served as an intern with the Oklahoma 4-H this summer. Matt Taylor, Liz Taylor’s son, was an Oklahoma 4-H president and recognized as an outstanding 4-H volunteer in Pittsburg County. “If we go to a national meeting, I have a built-in roommate, traveling partner and presenter,” Cathleen Taylor said. “We’ve been to four meetings together, and I’ve been able to see these places with my mom, my friend and my co-worker. I wouldn’t trade these experiences or the person I do it with for anything.” — TF VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2 | 41
