February 24, 2012

PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

®

February 24, 2012

OFB conference recognizes legislative leadership

In This Issue

Oklahoma Farm Bureau honored six state senators and representatives with the Meritorious Service Award during the annual OFB Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City, Feb 20.

The Meritorious Service honor is awarded to state legislators who actively support rural and agricultural efforts and maintain a strong voting record in favor of Farm Bureau issues.

Winners are nominated by county Farm Bureaus and evaluated on their ability to positively impact the rural community.

(See Legislative Leadership, page 3)

2012 OFB Meritorious Service Award Winners From Left Rep. Larry Glenn Ottawa County Rep. Skye McNiel Creek County Rep. Wade Rousselot Wagoner County

From Left Rep. Mike Sanders Major County Sen. Brian Bingman Creek County Sen. Susan Paddack Pontotoc County

OFB priority bills move through committee

By Chris Kidd, OFB Director of State and National Affairs The 2012 legislative session is well underway with two Oklahoma Farm Bureau priority issues passing out of committee, three bills supported by OFB making it out of committee and two passing out of the originating FARM BUREAU chambers.

Legislative Update Castor beans was a widely discussed topic among Farm Bureau members last summer. HB 2188 and HB 2189, authored by Rep. Dale DeWitt, prohibit the transportation and commercial production of castor beans. Both bills passed out of committee and on the House floor. Also, companion bills SB 988 and SB 989, authored by Sen. Mike Schulz, passed out of (See Priority Bills, page 4)

• State Leadership Conference • Legislative update • OFB response to state income tax proposal • 2012 OFB Commodity Tour • Gov. appoints new leaders • Presidential budget plan and USDA funding

ofb|yf&r The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech contest is scheduled for March 26, at the OFB home office in Oklahoma City. 4-H and FFA students who wish to compete must submit an application by March 10.

Also, graduating high school seniors who wish to apply for one of the nine YF&R district scholarships must submit their applications by March 15. Students must be members of voting Farm Bureau families and enrolled in an agriculture program at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning.

Visit www.okfarmbureau.org and find links to the PDF versions of both the speech contest and scholarship applications.

Submit applications to: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Attn: YF&R – Holly Carroll 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105 2012 YF&R Leadership Conference April 12-15 Lake View Lodge • Broken Bow Hotel reservations must be reserved through the lodge on an individual basis by March 12.

For room reservations, call Beavers Bend Lakeview Lodge 1-800-435-5514

Member Benefits

• M. Rhodes Company – Offers members a 33 percent discount on an applied basis on ALCOA steel or vinyl siding. Call 405-7212807 or see Oklahoma Country ad.

• KJD Enterprises – Offers a $150 cash rebate to all members on the purchase of a new K/D front end loader. Call 888-6410420 for instructions.

OFB highlights a few benefits in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members.

Find a complete list of savings online at okfarmbureau.org.

OFB Calendar Oklahoma Youth Expo March 9-19, 2012 Contact: Tyler Norvell, (405) 235-0404 YF&R Speech Contest March 26, 2012 • Oklahoma City Contact: Holly Carroll, (405) 205-0069 Congressional Action Tour March 25-29, 2012 • Washington, D.C. Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405

Farm Bureau concerned about income tax proposal When Gov. Fallin opened the 2012 legislative session with her proposal to change the state income tax structure, it attracted a truckload of attention. It was obvious rural Oklahomans were especially interested when elimination of the state income tax drew spirited debate during last fall’s Oklahoma Farm Bureau convention. Farm Bureau voting delegates said they do not support elimination of the income tax. We are concerned eliminating the tax would force county governments to make up the lost revenue by increasing property taxes.

Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are some of the main property owners in this state and naturally, are opposed to any property tax increase.

Protecting property owners has been a long standing policy for Farm Bureau.

We prefer a general sales tax increase to make up for any tax revenue shortfalls. Yes, in Oklahoma, agricultural producers are currently exempt from sales tax on production inputs, such as fuel, fertilizer, seed and equipment. This is necessary to keep Oklahoma agriculture healthy, and helps

Gov. Mary Fallin proposed her plan to drastically reduce the state income tax during her State of the State address on Feb. 6. To learn more about her plan, visit ok.gov/governor and click on “News and Media.”

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org.

Currently online: • Leadership Conference – Oklahoma Farm Bureau held its annual leadership conference in Oklahoma City, Feb. 20-21. You can visit the OFB website to see photos and press releases from the event.

• Spring Events – From YF&R activities to the upcoming Congressional Action Tour, a busy spring is right around the corner for OFB. See details on the OFB home page.

www.okfarmbureau.org

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us continue to provide a dependable food and fiber supply for the world’s consumers.

Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar industry in Oklahoma and is a vital part of the state’s overall economy. Without the sales tax exemption, producers could simply buy their inputs in Kansas and other neighboring states with an agricultural sales tax exemption. The tax exemption is critical for protecting jobs in rural Oklahoma.

We understand the governor’s proposal to gradually reduce the income tax. Gov. Fallin wants to cut the number of personal income tax brackets from seven to three.

We applaud the governor for pledging to make up for lost tax revenue by reducing government spending and eliminating tax loopholes. We have been assured agriculture will not be harmed by tax proposals this year. We expect rural Oklahoma and Gov. Fallin to work together on this issue for the betterment of the entire state. For the most part, Farm Bureau and Gov. Fallin are on the same page and that is a good thing as we embark on what looks to be an important and intriguing legislative session.

Farm Farm Bureau Bureau Week Week

2012 ®

See photos from Farm Bureau’s annual Food Check-Out Week in the March 9, issue of Perspective.

Legislative Leadership

(from page 1)

Those receiving the legislative award for 2012 were Representatives Larry Glenn, Skye McNiel, Wade Rousselot, and Mike Sanders and Senators Brian Bingman and Susan Paddack.

“Oklahoma Farm Bureau appreciates the support these six individuals have provided to Oklahoma agriculture,” said OFB Public Policy Director Kinsey Money. “Their contributions help ensure Oklahoma farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity to continue producing safe, abundant, and affordable food and fiber for our world’s growing population.” In addition to the Meritorious Service Awards presentation, OFB honored its retiring district directors Bob Drake and Ervin Mitchell. Conference guest speakers included law professor Dr. Drew Kershen who led a discussion on Oklahoma water laws, and breakout sessions covered the topics of business succession planning and managing ag employment.

OFB concluded its conference Feb. 21, with county leader training and a legislative panel discussion featuring State Representatives Leslie Osborn and Wade Rousselot and State Senators Tom Ivester and Clark Jolley.

LEADERSHIP conference 2012 Feb. 20-21 • OKC Marriott Hotel

Outgoing District Directors Recognizing Leadership – Retiring Oklahoma Farm Bureau District Directors Ervin Mitchell (left) and Bob Drake (right) were recognized for their Farm Bureau leadership at the OFB Leadership Conference, Feb. 20.

Both Mitchell, District 1, and Drake, District 4 (pictured with OFB President Mike Spradling) ended their terms in November 2011.

Commodity Tour dates set for April This year’s Oklahoma Farm Bureau Commodity Tour has been set for April 9-10, in the southern region of the state. OFB members will have the opportunity to learn about wetland management, grass/grazing research and the economics of the cattle market.

Tour stops on Day 1 include the Oklahoma City Producers Cooperative Oil Mill and the Wal-Mart distribution center in Pauls Valley. Members will later enjoy dinner at waterfowl hunting lodge in the area before spending the night in Ardmore.

Day 2 features a full day at several Noble Foundation sites in the area. Commodity tour participants will see some of the latest technology in cattle handling facilities, learn about feral hog management options and meet with Noble Foundation officials to discuss grass management practices.

OFB plans to provide one tour bus for approximately 50 people; seats are offered on a first come, first serve basis free of charge. To reserve a spot on the tour bus and a room at the Ardmore Quality Inn, please contact Vice President of Field Services Thad Doye at (405) 523-2307.

RIGHT – Oklahoma Farm Bureau members tour Sooner Cattle Company near Pawhuska during the 2011 Commodity Tour. This year, members will travel to the southern part of the state and visit several Noble Foundation research facilities.

National Ag Day is March 8 Members of the agriculture industry will observe National Ag Day on March 8. Organized by the Agriculture Council of America, the National Ag Day Program is conducted to promote the importance of agriculture in everyday life.

Organizations, companies and individuals are encouraged to support National Ag Day activities and provide educational materials. To learn more about National Ag Day, visit www.agday.org.

President’s budget proposal puts farmers at risk President Obama’s proposal to cut $700 million from the USDA budget has Oklahoma farmers concerned, as it threatens to drastically reduce funding for crop insurance and conservation programs.

“We are deeply concerned about reducing funds for crop insurance as it is our primary risk management tool,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Cutting funds to crop insurance threatens the very program that kept many of our producers in business during the recent historic drought. We support a strong crop insurance program focused on helping farmers manage risk.”

The Farm Bureau leader emphasized agriculture’s support of reducing the federal deficit but said the administration should not try to sacrifice the nation’s food supply in the process.

"We are committed to doing our part in reducing the deficit,” Spradling said, “However, this budget proposal indicates the administration does not fully appreciate agriculture’s contribution to a safe, affordable, domestic food supply.”

In addition to cutting crop insurance, plans to decrease conservation programs also worry agricultural producers.

“As true environmental stewards, farmers and ranchers work extremely hard to protect water and soil quality,” Spradling said. “Reducing federal conservation funds takes another valuable tool away from our producers.”

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Published by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Postmaster: address corrections to: Published bySend Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

STAFF DIRECTORY STAFF DIRECTORY Gail Banzet, 523-2346

Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Okla. City, OK.

Perspective/Online News Editor Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Monica Wilke, 523-2303 Perspective/Online News Editor Executive Director Sam Sam Knipp, Knipp, 523-2347 523-2347 Vice Vice President President of of Communications/PR Communications/PR Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Director of Public Policy Tyler Norvell, 523-2402

Marla Peek, 523-2437 Vice President of Public Policy Director of Regulatory Affairs MarlaKidd, Peek,523-2539 523-2437 Chris Director of of State Regulatory Affairs Affairs Director and National

Hurliman, Groendyke appointed by governor Gov. Mary Fallin announced new appointments to several state boards and commissions on Feb. 8. Those appointed include Ed Hurliman to the Board of Agriculture and John Groendyke to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Hurliman owns a private forestry consulting business, Hurliman Forestry Services, in Broken Bow. He is the first forester to be appointed to the Board of Agriculture and is a current member of the Society of American Foresters and the Oklahoma Forestry Association. He also serves on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Forest Heritage Center, First National Bank of Idabel and on the Natural Resources Conservation Service Technical Committee. Hurliman replaces Don Britton and represents District 1.

Groendyke resides in Enid and is the chief executive officer of Groendyke Transport, a trucking and transportation company. He is being reappointed to serve as commissioner of District 8. Groendyke was first appointed to the commission in 1976 and has served several terms as chairman. *Hurliman and Groendyke’s appointments both require Senate confirmation.

Dedicated Leadership – longtime Pushmataha County Farm Bureau board member Paul Wade accepts a plaque from Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling. Wade was recognized at the county’s Feb. 7, board meeting for his 43 years of service to Pushmataha County Farm Bureau.

The farmer/rancher resides in Antlers and continues to serve on the Pushmataha County board of directors.

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Priority Bills (from page 1) committee and on the Senate floor. Each of these bills will be sent to the opposite chamber for committee assignment.

HB 2924, authored by Rep. Don Armes, also has passed out of committee. It places a time limit on municipalities acquiring ground water rights through eminent domain. Under the legislation, municipalities would be limited to a 10-year term. At the end of the term, the municipality would be required to follow the eminent domain process to acquire the water rights for another 10 years. Additionally, the taking of any surface rights for the acquisition of water rights would be limited to easements for access, well sites, pipelines and the equipment necessary for the acquisition of water.

Finally, many Oklahoma landowners have dealt with the issue of poachers in recent years. Rep. Pat Ownbey has authored a piece of legislation that would increase the fines and stiffen the penalties for poachers. HB 2573 passed out of committee and passed the House floor 81 to 33. It now proceeds to the Senate.

FARM BUREAU Legislative Update