Morgan honored to receive state FFA Award

by Todd Brooks

Regardless of his occupation, Russell Morgan has always worked hard over the years to promote FFA and agriculture in the community he grew up in.

His contributions have not gone unnoticed as he recently received an Honorary State FFA Degree.

He was nominated by the Duncan FFA chapter, a chapter whose barn falls under his County Commissioner district.

He was both humbled and honored to get the award. His son James is the FFA sponsor in Comanche and Russell Morgan did not think it would be right if his own son had nominated him, which it turned out he did not.

“I was surprised,” Morgan said. “I called my son and said, ‘What is this?’ He knew about it but wanted it to be a surprise. I’ve always tried to help all the school FFAs. Just the other day I got a call from the Duncan FFA and I was able to get them some wood chips for their barn.”

Getting the award was a long process. He was supposed to get it last year, but COVID prevented the convention from taking place in person. He was all set to go to Oklahoma City to receive it this year in person when a change of venue ownership severely limited attendance allowances. The result was that he had to watch it virtually, which he admits was a little disappointing, but it still doesn’t take away from the honor.

“The FFA is important to me,” Morgan said. “It was important to me when I was in school. I don’t care what school you’re from, I was going to support it. When my son was old enough to join, I did all I could for him. It’s a good organization and I don’t think it always gets the credit it deserves. I’m not discrediting any other organization, but there is some awful good product that comes out of local FFA chapters in my opinion.”

Morgan said the honor was one of the greatest things that have ever happened to him.

“I’ve been the honorary chapter farmer and I’ve got a Lifetime Achievement Award at the local level,” Morgan said. “This is the state level, so it sure means a lot to me. I’m proud of it and it will hang in my office.”

Before becoming county commissioner, Morgan worked for the county for 25 years and also worked as a farmer and for some other private businesses, but always was involved in the FFA.

“Even after I got out (of high school), I would help out my (Comanche High School) FFA sponsor Bruce Aiken,” Morgan said. “When my son was born, he was showing pigs at three and I made many rounds with Mr. Aikens into Illinois, Iowa and elsewhere looking for pigs. He is a big part of who I am today. I just feel that strongly about it.”

Morgan said he wished every student in high school had the chance to go through the FFA program.

“I bet 90 percent of the people that came through the FFA use something they learned in FFA every day,” Morgan said.