Rogers County’s Donna Patterson receives OSU Extension Distinguished Educator award
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Media Contact: Dean Ruhl | Communications & Media Relations Specialist | 405-744-9152 | dean.ruhl@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University Extension has named Donna Patterson the recipient of the Distinguished Educator Award.
Patterson, a county Extension director and agriculture educator in Rogers County, was honored with the award Jan. 8 at the OSU Extension Biennial Conference in Stillwater.
“The Distinguished Educator Award is reserved for a select few who do exemplary work and stand out as educators in a crowded field of great professionals,” said Damona Doye, associate vice president of OSU Extension. “Donna is a great example for other educators because of her passion for her work, her servant’s heart, her ability to both collaborate and lead, and her work ethic. We are delighted to recognize her with this award.”
In 2012, Patterson was named the agriculture educator in Rogers County, and over the years, she has developed or implemented many successful programs, including several tailored specifically for female producers in the state. She implemented Annie’s Project, a program designed to provide information on wills, risk management and investments.
She hosted the Cattlewomen’s Boot Camp, a female-centered environment that prioritized risk management and agribusiness. The camp will continue in 2026 and offer instruction on horses, cattle, chickens and scaling businesses. Patterson said she received positive feedback from participants, with most attending other Extension programs. Patterson also assists with Cow Calf Boot Camp.
Patterson works with other female educators on AgricultHER, a hands-on program geared toward female producers that was created by Crystal Shipman, the Latimer County Extension director. Patterson serves on the committee and has taught forage quality, animal selection and animal behavior and handling for the program, which is held annually at Eastern Oklahoma State College.
“I enjoy doing producer-focused programs for all, but there is camaraderie that exists with women that is unique,” Patterson said. “Women open up and are extremely helpful to each other during these programs. They ask all kinds of questions and are very appreciative of the time and effort we put into the programming.”
Before taking the agriculture educator role, Patterson served as the 4-H educator in Rogers County for eight years, mentoring 12 state project finalists and three state project winners.
The Leadership Rocks program, which Patterson helped develop, is one of the highlights of her time with 4-H. The program, focused on preteens and teens, helped develop leadership qualities. It expanded to several other counties and gained traction over the years, winning the OSU Extension Outstanding Group award in 2011.
She spent 20 years coaching horse judging teams, resulting in numerous state championships, reserve AQHYA finishes and a monumental victory at the Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. Since 2006, Patterson has served as the Northeast District 4-H horse show chair.
“I was blessed with great youth and parents over the years I coached,” Patterson said. “The kids were willing to work hard and were passionate about doing their very best. Many of them have grown up to be extremely successful, and watching them through the years and knowing I had a small part in their success is really rewarding.”
Patterson’s involvement extends beyond her primary program areas. She also serves on the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) with extensive Incident Command System (ICS) and FEMA training certifications.
During the 2024 Memorial Day tornado in Claremore, Patterson assisted in managing a donation center and staging site at the Claremore Expo, executing a demobilization plan within two weeks to ensure the county wasn’t burdened with excessive donations.
“I believe most Extension educators would tell you the best thing about our job is we get to help people,” Patterson said. “I have always tried to have a servant heart, and Extension was a great fit. DART allows me to help people in what is often their darkest hour.”
Patterson’s affinity for Extension work started at an early age. She grew up on a dairy farm in Missouri and remembers working with her local county specialist on cow rations and production records. She was also involved in 4-H throughout her life, and her early understanding of the benefits of Extension work led to a desire to eventually work in a similar field.
Passionate about horses, Patterson enrolled at OSU as an undergraduate and rode for the equestrian team. She would graduate in 2001 with a master’s degree in equine nutrition.
Stops at Rogers State University and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau preceded her 21-year and counting Extension career, which began with her hiring as the Rogers County 4-H educator in 2004.
“I have worked hard to be the best educator I can be for my county and other educators,” Patterson said. “It’s nice to be recognized for all that hard work.”