Sharon Livingston, Long Creek

Oregon's agricultural history is rich with strong leaders who have sustained a way of life that predates statehood. Many of them have come from the cattle industry…a tough way to make a living that requires hard work and optimism. No one exemplifies the tireless efforts to help the overall ag industry more than Sharon Livingston. When it comes to sticking up for Oregon agriculture, Sharon is always there.

Sharon's first home was on her grandmother's homestead in Grant County, She always knew that ranching would be a focus of her life. Her father was a great horseman, cattleman, and hunter. As she says, she was with him at every opportunity learning what it took to survive all the challenges agriculture would be facing in the present and the future. One of his greatest lessons was to impart the value of education. Part of that education involved a number of livestock projects through 4-H. Sharon also began a long relationship with the Grant County Fair, as queen in her early days, and later with her kids and grandkids as Grand Marshall.

Shortly after marrying Fred Livingston, a cowboy and calf roper, Sharon enrolled at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande and pursued a career in education. Sharon became a teacher and was a successful high school volleyball coach among other things. There was also the raising of three children. The career made it possible for Sharon and Fred to purchase the family's ranch near Long Creek and continue to operate it through the very difficult financial era of the 1980s. The hard work and perseverance paid off.

In more recent years, Sharon has emerged as a leading voice of the cattle industry and a respected spokesperson on behalf of all of Oregon agriculture. Long active in the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, Sharon became the second woman elected president in 2005. Under her leadership, OCA tackled a number of issues critical to the industry including marketing, grazing, water, and protection from predators. Sharon's ability to unify the cattle industry on these and other matters has benefited all farmers and ranchers

Sharon was named by the U.S. Ag Secretary to an important national beef panel, the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board, which uses industry fees for promotion, research, consumer education, and marketing of U.S. beef. Sharon will be working hard to help the public understand that the cattle industry is made up of hard-working people and families who strive to put out a safe and quality product.

Sharon has made the long trek from Eastern Oregon to the Willamette Valley to help tell agriculture's story– especially to legislators who are willing to listen. She is always one of the first to show up at important hearings and meetings, ready to deliver valuable testimony designed to help the agriculture industry in Oregon. Her staunch defense of farmers and ranchers has earned the respect and gratitude of the industry. Sharon's efforts have been noted locally as being named Grant County Cattleman of the Year.

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.