PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
®
March 9, 2012
OFB Women participate in National Food Check-Out Week Oklahoma Farm Bureau women leaders celebrated National Food CheckOut Week, Feb. 19-25, by donating more than $1,500 worth of food to the Ronald McDonald Houses in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The annual event recognizes the fact that by this time in the year, the average American consumer has earned enough income to pay their annual grocery bill. “Stretching Your Grocery Dollar with Healthy, Nutritious Food,” the official theme of Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, is an indicator of the tight economic times consumers face. Dining out less often and preparing more meals at home are two strategies people are using to cope with the situation. This is especially true in the case of families caring for hospitalized children. (See Food Check-Out, page 3)
SHOPPING – (Top right, from left to right) Ronald McDonald House Executive Director Glenda Love, OFB Women’s Committee member Beverly Delmedico, committee coordinator Marcia Irvin, OFB District 9 Director Phyllis Holcomb and committee member Lena Henson give groceries to the Ronald McDonald House in Tulsa, Feb. 22. (Bottom left, from left to right) OFB Women’s Committee members Desdive Milacek, Sharlene Lambring and chairman Kitty Beavers shop for groceries at Crest Foods in Oklahoma City, Feb. 23.
Bills receive committee approval By Chris Kidd, OFB Director of State and National Affairs The legislature is in full swing and March 1 marked the deadline for bills to be reported out of committee. OFB FARM BUREAU Legislative Update saw one priority bill pass the House floor and two pass out of committee. HB 2994, authored by Rep. Tom Newell, passed out of the House General Government Committee before receiving approval on the House floor by a vote of 81 to 1. The bill will now go to the Senate for a hearing and a vote. Should the bill become law, it will require a majority of the owners of more than half of the land to give written consent before a street improvement district can be approved. This language was compromise language between OFB and the Oklahoma Municipal League. Authored by Sen. Mike Schulz, SB 1192 clarifies the original intent of the Airspace Severance Restriction Act passed in 2010. It specifies that the landowner who has entered (See Committee Bills, page 3)
In This Issue • Food Check-Out Week • Legislative Update • YF&R Conference Agenda • Commodity Tour • Painter Earns National Award • Inhofe Book Signings
Space available in OFB cattle sale The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Herd Builder cattle sale is coming to the Southern Plains Farm Show in Oklahoma City, April 19-21. Now in its second year, the OFB cattle sale is an opportunity for cattlemen and women to market their cattle beyond the sale barn. Owners are welcome to offer bulls, heifers and cows at private treaty and must provide feed, water and stall upkeep. Health certification on all animals also is required. In addition to the cattle sale, OFB plans to hold a series of extension talks at the farm show on Friday, April 19. Topics will include economics, forage options related to drought response and an overall cattle market outlook. For more information about the upcoming Herd Builder sale, please call Thad Doye at (405) 523-2307.
YF&R Scholarship Reminder The deadline for YF&R Scholarship applications is quickly approaching. Apps must be postmarked to Holly Carroll at the home office by March 15. Visit www. okfarmbureau.org to print off a PDF application.