June 1, 2012

PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

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Oklahoma Harvest Days

June 1, 2012

In This Issue • 2012 Harvest • Legislative Update • YF&R Scholarship Winners • USDA Celebrates 150 Years • FEAST Event • State AgFund Meeting • AFBF Safety Conference

See the latest at OFB Harvest Watch

Major County Farm Bureau member Jessica Wilcox harvests a field of canola near Fairview on May 16. Harvest came early this year but farmers are grateful for the much improved crop compared to 2011. See more harvest photos on page 3.

Governor signs OFB priority bills

By Chris Kidd, OFB Director of State and National Affairs The following is a list of Oklahoma eminent domain proceedings. HB 1562 Farm Bureau priority bills that were approtects the rights of landowners facing proved and signed by the governor during eminent domain proceedings by instructing the 2012 state legislative session. Look for the attorney general to prepare a Landa complete legislative review in the June 15 owner’s Bill of Rights. issue of Perspective.

Eminent domain proceedings are usually 1. SB 1665: Creates Energy Litigation commenced by entities having a legal team Reform Act well versed in the eminent domain process.

Authored by Sen. Rob Johnson, Rep. Fred However, landowners are often unfamiliar Jordan with the legal technicalities involved in Status: Signed by the Governor 5-8-12 eminent domain proceedings. By providing Bill: SB 1665 provides statutory proteca landowner with a Bill of Rights prepared tion for surface owners who have seismic by a neutral party (the attorney general), operations on their property by providing their rights under the law will be detailed them with a reasonable remedy to address in language that is easily understandable. damages sustained from seismic operations. This will enable a landowner to make an informed decision on how to proceed and if 2. HB 1562: Creating the Landowner Bill legal counsel should be retained. of Rights Authored by Rep. Fred Jordan and Sen. 3. HB 1952: Limiting the Authority of the Greg Treat Oklahoma Corporation Commission Status: Signed by the Governor 4-30-12 Authored by Rep. Skye McNiel and Sen. Bill: Creates a Landowner’s Bill of Rights Gary Stanislawski to be provided to landowners facing Status: Signed by the Governor 5-16-12

From high school graduations and baseball games to wheat harvest and hay cutting, Oklahoma farm families are blogging about their busy lives.

Read the latest from the Fisher family (Bristow), the Harris family (Hobart), the Leonard family (Afton) and the Webb family (Canton) by visiting okfbharvestwatch. wordpress.com.

FARM BUREAU Legislative Update

Bill: Sets limitations on the authority of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to weigh vehicles at temporary scales.

4. HB 2994: Reforming Street Improvement Districts Authored by Rep. Tom Newell and Sen. Dan Newberry Status: Signed by the Governor 5-1-12 Bill: Currently, municipalities can create a street improvement district without getting the consent of all landowners who will be required to pay for the improvement.

Street improvement districts are paid for by assessments on adjacent landowners. HB 2994 will require petitioners or the municipality to seek written consent of the owners of more than half of the land to be included in the district and assessment.

5. HB 2573: Increases fines for poaching Authors: Rep. Pat Ownbey and Sen. Frank Simpson (See priority bills, page 3)

Member Benefits

• Lenscrafters – Offers members a 15%

discount at all Oklahoma locations on frames, lens, contact lens and even eye exams. Call 800-522-LENS for more information.

• Delta Dental Plan of Oklahoma – Offers members a 5% discount on its comprehensive dental care program. For details, call 877433-5821.

YF&R awards district scholarships

Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers organization recently awarded seven district scholarships to graduating high school seniors. To qualify, students were required to be members of a voting Farm Bureau family and also enrolled in an agriculture program at an Oklahoma institution of higher learning. The following scholarship recipients each received $1,000 toward the funding of their college education.

Brandi Blasdel Buffalo High School District 1, Harper County Farm Bureau

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.

Kelsie Williams Hollis Schools District 2, Harmon County Farm Bureau

OFB Calendar

Kody Leonard Afton High School District 6, Ottawa County Farm Bureau

Brandon Copass Walters High School District 4, Cotton County Farm Bureau

OFB Safety Seminar June 12-14, 2012 • Tatanka Ranch, Stroud Contact: Justin Grego, (405) 523-2391

Garrett Sharp Pleasant Vale School District 7, Garfield County Farm Bureau

National AITC Meeting June 19-22 • Loveland, Colorado Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405

Mary Temple-Lee Pauls Valley High School District 8, Garvin County Farm Bureau

FBW Summer Conference July 13-14 • Ada, Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405

Haley Smith Chandler High School District 9, Lincoln County Farm Bureau

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

Currently online: • Photo Galleries – It was a busy spring for Farm Bureau and there are pictures to prove it. Click on the “galleries” tab under the News button to see photo galleries from recent events.

• OFB Fleet Vehicle Sales – Oklahoma Farm Bureau offers a lineup of fleet vehicles for purchase. See the complete list of quality, used SUVs and cars by selecting the “Fleet Vehicle Sales” tab under the Membership button.

www.okfarmbureau.org

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Women’s conference set for July 13-14 The annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau women’s summer conference will be held in Ada’s Oklahoma Farm Bureau Pontotoc Technology Center, July 13-14.

The event will include a silent auction, election update, breakout sessions and tours of downtown Ada. Other scheduled events included an Oklahoma commodity tablescapes contest where cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners.

Hotel accommodations for the conference are available at the Holiday Inn Express in Ada. Those attending the event should make their own room reservations no later than June 28.

For more information about the summer conference in Ada or for a registration form, please call women’s committee coordinator Marcia Irvin at (405) 523-2405.

WOMEN

(Priority bills, from page 1) Status: Signed by the Governor 5-8-12 Bill: Increases fines for poaching 6. HB 2654: Reforming the Fiduciary Duty Owed by Oil and Gas Operators Authored by Rep. Fred Jordan and Sen. Rob Johnson Status: Signed by the Governor 5-8-12 Bill: Clarifies that an operator is bound as a reasonably prudent operator and must operate the well on behalf of all owners in the well and not as a fiduciary or quasi fiduciary.

7. HB 2188 and HB 2189: Castor Beans Authored by Rep. Dale DeWitt and Sen. Mike Schulz Status: Signed by the Governor 4-2-12 Bill: Prohibits the commercial production or transportation of castor beans.

Other OFB Supported Legislation 1. HB 3110: Personal Property Tax on Livestock Authored by Rep. Earl Sears and Sen. Eddie Fields Status: Signed by the Governor 5-11-12

Harvest Days – Woods County Farm Bureau member Terry Budy cuts a field of wheat on May 25, near Alva in northwest Oklahoma.

The Budys were pleased with the field’s average 46 bushels/acre.

Farm Bureau participates in FEAST event Oklahoma Farm Bureau staff members participated in a farmers’ market appreciation day May 19, in Oklahoma City to promote the awareness of agriculture and where food comes from.

The event was hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and was held in conjunction with OSUOKC’s weekly farmers’ market.

Known as FEAST: Food Education, Awareness and Security Transfer, the day-long event featured vendors from all areas of the food industry in an effort to educate the public about food and nutritional choices.

The OFB booth focused on the value of Oklahoma’s leading agricultural commodities where adults and children got a first-hand look at the 2012 Oklahoma wheat crop.

RIGHT – Both children and adults attended the FEAST event to learn about Oklahoma’s commodities.

Bill: The Oklahoma Constitution provides for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of household goods and livestock employed in the support of a family.

Currently, only livestock owned in the rancher’s individual name or as a sole proprietor is considered “in support of the family” and is exempt from ad valorem taxation. Livestock owned by a family partnership or limited liability company is not considered “in support of the family” and is therefore subject to ad valorem taxation.

USDA celebrates anniversary

On May 15, the United States Department of Agriculture celebrated its 150th anniversary with a special recognition event in Washington, D.C. The ceremony featured several celebrities who helped highlight the Department’s work.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also marked the 150th anniversary and highlighted the positive impact that USDA has on the life of Americans each day.

“For 150 years, USDA has supported our nation’s economic prosperity and touched the lives of generations of Americans,” Vilsack said. “I’m proud of the USDA employees who carry out President Lincoln’s legacy throughout the country and around the world, making USDA a truly ‘Every Day, Every Way’ department.”

President Lincoln created USDA in 1862 and in his last address before Congress, called it the "People's Department."

The Department has delivered record amounts of loan assistance; provided food assistance to 1 in 4 Americans and helped to upgrade infrastructure for millions.

Throughout 2012, USDA will continue to recognize events such as President Lincoln's signing of the Act to establish the Department of Agriculture on May, 15, 1862 and the July 2, 1862, Morrill Act that established public land grant universities.

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

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STAFF DIRECTORY STAFF DIRECTORY Gail Banzet, 523-2346

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

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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

Oklahoma hosts AFBF safety conference

State AgFund Meeting – After a week of district meetings, a representative from each of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s nine districts met in Oklahoma City, May 14. The group selected state candidates to support through the OK AgFund. Clockwise, from bottom left: James Fuser, Joe Cheatwood, Leon Richards, Chris Kidd, Jack Sherry, Keeff Felty, Ken Ferda, Wayne Taggart, Bob Drake and Ron Nobles.

Carolyn Sheridan of the Agri-Safe Network discusses way to prevent common farm and ranch injuries.

OFB hosted safety teams from around the country during the AFBF Safety & Health Network Conference, May 21-23, in Oklahoma City’s Hilton Inn.

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Saving lives and improving the health of farmers, ranchers and other rural residents was the focus of the American Farm Bureau Safety and Health Network Conference May 21-23, in Oklahoma City.

“We were pleased to host this conference and hopefully increase safety awareness for farmers,” said Justin Grego, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Services Director.

“Farm Bureau has a long history of advocating safety and health on the farm and ranch,” said Kim Baker, AFBF program assistant.

Conference organizers said more than 30 participants from 12 states attended the event.

“This is a great opportunity to share ideas and network with safety experts from around the country,” Grego said. “Everybody here at this conference has one goal and that’s learning more ways to save lives.”

The conference included presentations on protective clothing and equipment, the impact of older farmers having more accidents, farm shop safety programs and first aid on the farm.

“About half of all adult farm fatalities involve individuals over the age of 55,” said Dr. Deborah Reed, Associate Professor, University of Kentucky.

Reed said slowing down and taking more frequent breaks are good ways to prevent accidents.

“We hope to share ideas through our network of safety and health experts to help farmers understand the consequences of accidents.”