Lloyd Noble's legacy lives on today.

Noble, visionary oilman and philanthropist, established The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation more than 60 years ago to provide education and assistance to agricultural producers.

Six decades later, the Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division is fulfilling his legacy by providing farmers, ranchers and other land managers in southern Oklahoma and north Texas with consultation services and educational programs, while conducting valuable research and demonstration projects.

"The Agricultural Division's primary mission is to help land managers achieve their financial, production, stewardship and quality-of-life goals," Division Director Wadell Altom said. "We achieve these goals through our extensive consultation program."

Land managers who participate in the agricultural consulting program are called "cooperators." Currently, the Noble Foundation provides advice and assistance to more than 1,600 cooperators.

Each cooperator is served by a team that is comprised of agricultural consultants with expertise in forages, livestock, soils and crops, agricultural economics, horticulture, and wildlife and fisheries. Team members work together to tailor recommendations to address each cooperator's unique circumstances.

The Noble Foundation's agricultural consultation program is offered at no monetary cost to the land managers in the Agricultural Division's service area - 100 mile radius around Ardmore. Generally, this service area encompasses a region extending from Oklahoma City to Dallas and from Wichita Falls to Paris.

"It's difficult for people to believe that we offer quality, time-tested assistance and do not bill them for the services," Altom said. "Some people think it's too good to be true or that there's a catch, but this service is the vision of Lloyd Noble, and we're proud to carry on his legacy to the next generation."

Since there is no monetary cost to be a cooperator, inclusion in the program is contingent only upon active participation, which includes implementing recommendations and providing production information back to the consulting team.

"The consulting program requires an investment of time by both parties," Altom said. "We begin by agreeing upon goals for enhancing the operation, and then both parties work to follow through. It's a straightforward process, but it can change the life and future of a farmer or rancher."

The Agricultural Division serves a 47-county area. For a complete list of counties, visit the Noble Foundation Web site at www.noble.org/ag.

Other consultation services provided to cooperators include mapping and digital imaging of the cooperator's land, soil and forage testing and analysis, pecan leaf testing and analysis, and farm-mixed feed testing and analysis.

Additionally, the Agricultural Division offers seminars, workshops and tours to its cooperators as well as the general public. These educational events are often conducted on-site at one of the Noble Foundation's research and demonstration farms. Land managers who are not cooperators also have access to the Noble Foundation HelpLine service. Call 580.224.6500 for answers to agriculture-related questions.

For additional information about the Noble Foundation's cooperators program, please visit the Web site at www.noble.org/ag or call 580.224.6500.