Brandons receive Honorary State FFA degrees

By Everett Brazil, III

The Newkirk Herald Journal

Tulsa, Okla. — The Newkirk FFA chapter traveled to Tulsa May 2 -3 for the FFA State Convention, a chance to meet with fellow members of the organization and learn about what makes rural Oklahoma great. Also attending were Kaycee and Nila Brandon, of 56 Feed Co., Newkirk, who were honored with the Oklahoma FFA Honorary State FFA Degree, for their efforts to promote FFA and 4-H at their facility.

“We were surprised that we were nominated, having only been in business for a year and a half,” Nila said. “We feel very blessed.”

The Brandon family is a local, multigenerational farm family in Kay County. Kids Charlie and Kaycee attended Kildare School, and later Newkirk High School. They were immersed in livestock not just through the family farm, but also through showing livestock, first through the Kildare 4-H club, later the Newkirk FFA chapter.

Kaycee purchased the NAPA Auto Parts store on North Main Street, in 2021, and quickly added a boutique, along with lawn and garden products, food products and toys, as well as items tailored toward other FFA and 4-H members exhibiting livestock exhibits.

“We provide a service for their livestock show projects, including feed and nutrients, and not only things that the animal consumes, but what would be needed to actually show the animal – sticks, brushes, even soaps and shampoos,” Nila said.

The Brandons have also shown their support for local projects through trophies and auctions.

“We support local booster clubs by participating in trophy auctions, and blue ribbon sales,” Nila said. ‘She has also done additional premiums.”

It is all in an effort to support what they feel is one of the best youth organizations available.

“Both of us believe that the FFA organization is one of the best youth organizations that a person can be involved in,” she said. “There are so many opportunities for a student to be involved in.”