PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
November 18, 2011
Members pass resolutions and re-elect Spradling at 70th Annual Meeting
A resolution calling for a federal farm program that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance and a revenue assurance program topped the list of policies passed by voting delegates at the 70th annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, Nov. 11-13, Oklahoma City. “We want to protect our producers’ ability to grow food and fiber for this country,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “We believe crop insurance should be a top priority and is a key to Oklahoma agriculture’s success.” There is concern direct payments may be eliminated since federal administration is considering reducing the U.S. agriculture department's budget. The proposed resolution says OFB supports keeping direct and counter-cyclical payments to farmers, but if they are going to be reduced more than 33 percent, the remaining funds should be shifted to a revenue assurance program. “We need to keep a strong, affordable crop insurance program and realize at the same time direct payments Mike Spradling provide income stability,” said Scott Neufeld, chairman of OFB’s Farm Bill Committee. Delegates also passed a resolution opposing the use of conjunctive use management anywhere in Oklahoma. “We do not want to link ground water and surface water rights together,” Spradling said. In other delegate action, Spradling, of Tulsa County, was re-elected to serve his third, twoyear term as Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. Newly elected district directors include Beaver county farmer and rancher Alan Jett and Cotton County producer Jimmy Wayne Kinder. Roland Pederson of Alfalfa County also was re-elected to serve another three-year term. Re-elected Farm Bureau District Directors – Oklahoma Farm Bureau voting members of the Farm Bureau Women’s Comdelegates elected Alan Jett (left) of Beaver County for District 1 and mittee are Linda Fox of Ellis County, Margaret Jimmy Wayne Kinder (middle) of Cotton County for District 4. Roland Ann Kinder of Cotton County and Desi MiPederson (right) of Alfalfa County was re-elected to serve District 7. lacek of Garfield County. OFB's Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee also elected a new chairman; delegates selected Brent and Amie Straub of Kiowa County to lead the group in 2012. In addition to business sessions and a Saturday night awards banquet, OFB members also had the opportunity to hear entertaining speakers and enjoy a concert from country music singer Joe Diffie. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and News 9 meteorologist Gary England were featured guest speakers during the Friday afternoon session, and U.S. Congressman James Lankford of Oklahoma’s 5th district spoke on faith and family during Sunday morning’s vespers program. See convention photos and press releases at okfarmbureau.org.
OFB District Leadership
2011 OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU CONVENTION Gary England
Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb
U.S. Rep. James Lankford