Fred Little | 2007

Fred Little has been an advocate for Oklahoma’s pork industry for many years. His involvement in agriculture began on a diversified farm near Ditch Valley, a community north of Rosston, Oklahoma. Growing up, Fred was very involved in his family’s beef cattle, dairy cattle, horse, sheep, and swine operations.

In 1955, Fred graduated from Rosston High School and then attended Oklahoma State University where he was a member of the livestock judging team. Fred worked for the American Breeders Service as a district sales manager for 15 years and returned to work on the family farm.

In the mid-1990s, Fred made connections with the Oklahoma Pork Council staff and became an important resource for them in northwestern Oklahoma. Fred spent a great deal of time making phone calls advocating for Oklahoma’s swine industry. He also helped OPC staff set up meetings with leaders in many northwestern Oklahoma communities

Fred also reached out to Murphy Family Farms and Land O’ Lakes while they were considering locating a large amount of their pork production in northwestern Oklahoma. He organized a group of local leaders and educated them about pork operations and the benefits pork production could bring to northwestern Oklahoma. This group of leaders then actively recruited pork integrators to the area.

Additionally, Fred was a voice for the pork industry and all of agriculture at the State Capitol while legislators considered key pieces of legislation. Fred has a respected working relationship with all agricultural organizations.

Fred and his wife Joyce still live on the family farm. Two of Fred and Joyce’s sons and their families also live on the family farm. They enjoy going to basketball games to watch their grandkids and can easily be persuaded to help with almost anything in the community.

Oklahoma’s pork producers and the Oklahoma Pork Council are grateful to Fred Little for his service to the pork industry and proudly honor him with the 2007 Distinguished Service Award.