Karl Jett: Dedicated Conservationist

As you walk with Karl Jett through the knee-high grass on his Beaver County ranch in the Oklahoma Panhandle, you realize how a lifetime of conservation efforts can pay huge dividends today, and tomorrow.

Jett owns KC Farms, a family farm and ranch southwest of Slapout. KC Farms is a diversified farm and ranch with irrigated and dryland wheat, forage crops and grass. They also have a commercial cow herd.

“I’m a fourth generation farmer and rancher,” Jett proudly states.

Some of the land he works on today was originally settled by his ancestors in 1904.

“It was still called No Man’s Land then, said Jett, referring to the area’s infamous title granted by a New York journalist, ‘God’s land, but no man’s.’ It was a tough place to grow food then, and still is today. However, Jett and his family have found a way to co- exist with nature and sustainably manage the land.

After years of working with the Beaver County Conservation District, Jett was appointed by Gov. Fallin in 2011, to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, overseeing conservation programs for the Panhandle and northwest Oklahoma.

His long term dedication to conservation was recognized this year by the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts as he was inducted into the OACD Hall of Fame. 

Jett has taken such good care of the land that it is now considered a “managed wildlife area,” providing habitat for a diverse variety of wildlife including prairie chickens, mule deer and wild turkeys.

Jett has created almost 3 miles of grass waterways, further reducing erosion.

“Our terraces drain into the waterways, reducing sediment and preventing erosion,” Jett said. 

For Jett, it’s all about preserving today for the next generation. That’s one reason why he supports State Question 777, Right to Farm, which is on the November ballot.

“This will protect Oklahoma agriculture for my grandchildren,” Jett said. “Farmers are out here every day, working on the land. We know what’s best for this land, not someone from California or New York. This state question must pass in order to protect Oklahoma agriculture.”

Jett is an active member of American Farmers & Ranchers, most recently participating in the AFR LEAD (Leadership, Exploration And Development) Northwest District Committee. 

“This is a great opportunity to get involved and support AFR,” Jett said.

Jett’s involvement in AFR, OACD and other associations is another example of how the Panhandle farmer works to provide a future for the next generation.

“Hopefully, some of the work I do today will help guarantee a brighter future for my grandchildren and great grandchildren,” Jett said.