One man can change the world. Lloyd Noble did–twice–and his vision continues to benefit agriculture 70 years later.
In the 1920s and ‘30s, Noble helped revolutionize the oil and gas drilling industry. He used his financial success to benefit agriculture in the Southern Great Plains. The Dust Bowl had ravaged Oklahoma’s once-productive land, and the loss of the agricultural foundation eroded the economy and threatened the long-term viability of the region.
Noble became a founding father of today’s land stewardship movement, focusing his energy and resources on strengthening land management and soil conservation. He realized the nation’s future prosperity hinged on caring for the soil and improving agriculture, so he established The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation on Sept. 19, 1945, with the mission to advance agriculture through education, research and direct interaction with farmers, ranchers and land managers. Noble also understood that communities could be strengthened through targeted giving, so from even the earliest days, he made philanthropy an essential activity of the Noble Foundation.
Through almost seven decades, the generational stewards of the Noble Foundation—its board of trustees, which remains largely comprised of Noble’s descendants—have continued to pursue his vision. Today, the Noble Foundation is the largest independent, nonprofit agricultural research institution in the United States.
“Mr. Noble was a man of tremendous vision,” said Bill Buckner, president and CEO of the Noble Foundation. “He desired a way to give back, and he achieved a way to better the world through research, engaging agricultural producers and land managers and targeted philanthropy. He was a truly remarkable individual, and we are proud to be a part of this living legacy.”
On Sept. 19, the Noble Foundation marked its 70th anniversary and launched a year of activities for employees and the public.
Throughout the year, the Noble Foundation will release a series of special stories and videos that highlight the organization’s seven decades of contributions to agriculture, research, education and philanthropy.
To wrap up the 70th year, the Noble Foundation will host a reception and art show focused on celebrating farm life and the land during summer 2016 at the Goddard Center in Ardmore, Okla. Details and instructions on how to enter will be released in January 2016.