William (Billy) Haltom is presented with his Honorary Chapter FFA Degree. Photo courtesy of Billy Haltom.
As program manager for the largest Native American-based agriculture youth organization in the country, William (Billy) Haltom works with future leaders everyday. The Oklahoma FFA Alumnus directs the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Agriculture Youth Program.
“Our goal is to encourage our Creek youth to enroll in FFA and 4-H to take advantage of all the opportunities these organizations offer,” Haltom says. “We assist the youth financially, professionally and any way we can to encourage their growth in these organizations.”
Financial assistance is available through several avenues. For example, the Livestock Assistance Program helps offset the cost of show animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats or pigs, with a $700 scholarship. Similar funding is available for poultry production or leadership training, where a member can use the assistance to attend an FFA conference or event.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Agriculture Youth Program also hosts its own events, such as a one-day archery camp. Agriculture Youth Program-sponsored summer trips have taken youth to Washington, D.C., and the Creek Nation Homelands in Georgia and Tennessee.
Haltom also maintains a regular presence at livestock shows throughout Oklahoma, including his program’s signature livestock competition, the All-Indian Livestock Show, a three-day event open to all Native youth who live or go to school within the Reservation boundaries and all Creek youth.
William (Billy) Haltom’s role with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Agriculture Youth Program includes supporting youth livestock exhibitors. Photo courtesy of Billy Haltom.
“Through all these different events, I develop a strong rapport with the members and their parents,” Haltom says. “That gives me the opportunity to stress the importance of being involved in FFA and everything it has to offer. I’m a product of the system myself.”
Strong Programs Produce Success
A descendant of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Haltom did not grow up in agriculture, but spent summers working at his uncle’s commercial hog operation in Kansas. “That was probably what germinated my interest in agriculture,” he says. Haltom joined FFA in ninth grade at Eufaula High School, where his advisor, Larry Hamlin, recognized his potential.
“He took me under his wing,” Haltom says. “I was extremely successful in livestock judging, but even at that young age, I was smart enough to realize I could really excel in leadership and public speaking.” He served as chapter president during his junior and senior years, and says the Eufaula FFA Chapter produced four state-winning teams his senior year.
After graduating from Oklahoma State University, Haltom taught agriculture for 10 years. He joined the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Agriculture Youth Program in 2012, when about 150 Creek youth were enrolled. Today, that number has doubled, as the program serves about 300.
Creating More Opportunities
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation currently has a herd of more than 700 cattle and maintains the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Looped Square Meat Processing Facility.
“We’re looking at purchasing show animals from our Creek youth, processing them through the facility and selling the meat as blue-ribbon branded products,” Haltom says. “This would benefit our youth by paying them a little more for their animals and getting them some recognition selling through the retail store.”
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Agriculture Youth Program-sponsored trips include visits to Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Billy Haltom.
Despite the past and current success he’s seen with the program overall, Haltom would like to continue to do more. “I’d also really like to offer school scholarships or grants for youth going into production agriculture or agribusiness when they leave our program,” he says.
Awards and Rewards
For his longtime devotion to agricultural education and FFA, Haltom was honored with the Honorary State FFA Degree in 2018, which he considers his greatest career accomplishment. His proudest moments, however, are watching youth excel.
“It’s hard to see them grow up and get away from you,” he says. “But at the same time, when I see them get all these scholarships and awards for livestock judging or shooting sports or whatever their interest area is, I think maybe I had a little bit of influence to see them excel at what they really want to do. It’s the most rewarding program in the state, and I love my job.”
