PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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September 7, 2012
Farmers want to stop the flood of federal regulations A buffalo wallow in the middle of a Garfield County pasture was the star attraction of an Aug. 23 event focused on stopping the flood of federal regulations. The buffalo wallow could fall under the EPA’s regulatory umbrella as that agency is attempting to redefine navigable waterways under the Clean Water Act. “Those of us in the High Plains recognize this as a buffalo wallow, and not a navigable waterway,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “This boils down to the fact the EPA wants to control all of the water. This control would include imposing restrictions on how this land could be used, meaning the farmer would not be allowed to use best management practices. He could be prevented from using herbicides to control weeds or fertilizer to boost forage production. This type of unnecessary and burdensome federal regulations is a serious threat to our private property rights.” U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), minority ranking member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, joined Spradling during the event and called for a stop to the federal government’s regulatory march. “The over regulators are destroying this country,” Inhofe said. “This is not just agriculture. Manufacturers and energy producers are all having the same (regulatory) problems.” More than 60 reporters, state agency directors and OFB members listen as Sen. Jim Inhofe talks about the need to stop federal regulations that create hardships for agricultural producers. A link to more photos from the press conference can be found on OFB’s homepage at okfarmbureau.org
Inhofe praised farmers for standing up to the federal regulators. “Farm Bureau is our best ally in these types of issues,” Inhofe said. The CWA gives the EPA authority to write rules governing the protection of navigable waters. The EPA wants to redefine the word navigable in an effort to regulate even a roadside ditch that could hold water for only a few hours. The EPA wants to make this proposal to the guidance document. A guidance document is a non-legally binding interpretation written by an agency to explain how it interprets existing regulations, court decisions and federal statutes. However, a guidance document may not exceed or conflict with the original law as passed by Congress and existing regulations promulgated under the Administrative Procedures Act. This proposal would allow the EPA to regulate the following: · groundwater · ditches · culverts · pipes · desert washes · farm and stock ponds The event was part of the American Farm Bureau’s national “Stop the Flood of Regulations” campaign in progress across the country where similar events are being held this summer.
In This Issue • Stop the Flood of Regulations • 4-H Foundation Turns 50 • Poultry Litter Tax Credit • Tulsa Women’s Luncheon • National Day of Prayer
August Area Meetings wrap up OFB recently completed a busy month of August Area Meetings around the state. Water, transportation regulations, conservation and the 2012 Farm Bill were popular topics discussed during the 11 meetings. Counties will now begin the resolutions process, and resolutions are due to the state office on Friday, Oct. 5.
Johnston County Farm Bureau board members Glenn Orr (left) and Tommie Johnson (right) visit with OFB Vice-President of Field Services Thad Doye about water policy issues during the Dist. 4 meeting in Madill on Aug. 23.
OFB Women’s Committee member Margaret Ann Kinder (left) and FBW Chairman Kitty Beavers describe projects the Women’s Committee has recently completed during the Dist. 4 area meeting in Duncan on Aug. 23.
Member Benefits • KJD Enterprises offers a $150 dollar cash rebate to all OKFB members that are the end user upon the purchase of a new K/D front end loader. Call 1-888-641-0420 toll free for instructions and a rebate voucher.
OFB highlights a benefit 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 AFBF 2012 Photo Contest Sept. 1 - Nov. 30 • Nationwide Contact: AFBF, photocontest@fb.org Convention Awards Deadline October 5 • Oklahoma City Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 County Resolutions Due to State Office October 5 • Oklahoma City Contact: Karolyn Bolay, (405) 523-2320
Oklahoma 4-H Foundation to host 50th anniversary homecoming celebration The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation is turning 50! On Sept. 22, past and present 4-H’ers will be invited back to Oklahoma State University to honor the Foundation at its 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration and to enjoy a fun-filled, casual celebration that will feature a barbecue lunch with time to reminisce with friends, educators and mentors and will offer a tour of the brand new, multimillion-dollar OSU athletics facilities. “Oklahoma 4-H has such a rich history, and we have some of the best alumni in the country,” said Jim Rutledge, executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. “The purpose of the Foundation has always been to support 4-H, and we would like to invite all former 4-H’ers back to reconnect with each other and with this amazing organization that
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • Agricultural News – Oklahoma Farm Bureau features a new agriculturerelated story every day on its site. Read about both AFBF and state Farm Bureau news by visiting the homepage. • Harvest Watch – OFB’s four farming families are reviewing harvest and planning for other summer activities on the OFB Harvest Watch blog. See our OFB homepage to click on the logo.
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has helped so many of us succeed.” When the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation was founded in 1962, it listed less than $14,000 in assets. Today, the Foundation has more than $6 million to devote to promoting 4-H, sending 4-H’ers and volunteers to conferences and giving awards and scholarships to deserving members and alumni. Each year the Foundation gives $50,000 in college scholarships alone. “It’s awesome how this group of people is dedicated to making 4-H the best it can be,” said Jenna Murray, a current Oklahoma 4-H Ambassador and a 2011 Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame winner. “The fact that the Foundation cares so much about youth development, knows we are the future and invests in us is amazing to me.” Rutledge said the Foundation’s Board of Directors decided to call the event a “Homecoming Celebration” because it will be just that for those who grew up in the 4-H program. “When you go back to your high school or college for the Homecoming football game, you go to show support, to have fun and to reconnect with a school that helped you become the person you are today,” Rutledge said. “We want this celebration to have the same effect on former 4-H’ers. We hope you will see old friends, make new ones and renew your appreciation for the 4-H program.” The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. in the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus in Stillwater. Lunch will be served at noon, and tours of the athletics facilities will begin at 1:30 p.m. Cost for the 4-H Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration will be $20 per person, and the Foundation would like all attendees to register before the event. Interested parties can register online by visiting http://oklahoma4h.okstate.edu/ Foundation/ or by calling the 4-H Foundation office at 405-744-5390.
Oklahoma poultry litter tax credit is reactivated
PBS’ Dust Bowl documentary to feature Oklahoma survivors
Clay Pope (left), executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, and OFB President Mike Spradling attended a luncheon Aug. 28 promoting the upcoming premier of PBS’ The Dust Bowl, which airs on OETA Nov. 18-19. The film, produced and directed by Ken Burns, includes dramatic photos, seldom seen movie footage and interviews with 26 survivors, many of whom are from Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Environmental Management Services announced Aug. 27 that the $10 per ton Oklahoma poultry litter tax credit has been reactivated as of July 1, 2012. This credit is for Oklahoma poultry litter purchased from an Oklahoma registered poultry feeding operation located within an environmentally sensitive and nutrient limited watershed. The litter must also be applied by an Oklahoma licensed poultry waste applicator in a watershed that is not environmentally sensitive and is a non-nutrient limited watershed. The $10 per ton poultry litter tax credit may be claimed for the 2012 tax year and subsequent tax years for Oklahoma poultry litter purchased and transported on or after July 1, 2012. Due to a moratorium, no tax credits may be claimed for purchases occurring during the period of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2012. Visit the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service’s “Oklahoma Litter Market” at http://ok-littermarket.org to learn more about the poultry litter tax credit.
Tulsa County women host annual Rural Urban Luncheon BELOW – State Rep. Jeannie McDaniel (left) and Tulsa County Women’s Committee member Kathy Holder (right) visit with Kendra Woodburn, OSU Extension horticulture educator, during the 2012 Tulsa County Women’s Rural Urban Luncheon. The annual event was held Aug. 24 at the Chalkboard Restaurant in Tulsa. Guests included local businesswomen, Tulsa County OSU Extension staff members, area elected officials and Tulsa County Women’s Committee members.
ABOVE – Guest speaker Cheryl Manley bravely talks about losing her daughter Amanda in a 1996 car accident and how the decision to donate Amanda’s organs impacted a woman waiting for a heart transplant. Manley now serves as manager of Team Oklahoma, a group of transplant recipients who participate in the Transplant Games every other year. Visit teamoklahoma.org to learn more about Manley’s story or for more information about organ donations.
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OFB observes National Day of Prayer Rural fire grants for those affected by drought available Oklahoma Farm Bureau members participated in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s National Day of Prayer Aug. 23 during a press conference held in a pasture in Garfield County. Rev. Joe Arledge from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hennessey prayed for the many Americans affected by the drought. Suggestions for a National Day of Prayer for drought victims came from a number of people throughout farm country as a way to support people facing challenges related to the ongoing drought. “There is hardly a person involved in agriculture this year who has not been adversely affected by the drought of 2012,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “And while many farm and ranch families are feeling the effects immediately due to withered crops, parched pastures, higher feed costs Rev. Joe Arledge from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hennessey prays for those affected by the drought as OFB members observe the American Farm Bureau Federation’s National Day of Prayer. Rev. Arledge encouraged those in attendance to remember the many individuals and families facing severe struggles due to this year’s devastating drought.
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or even wildfires, the lingering effects of this drought will be felt all across our nation for many months to come. “Due to the terrible impact the drought disaster has dealt, we thought it was fitting to come together as an organization and as a nation for unified prayer for all those who are hurting and who face serious challenges in the months ahead. As we all know, the agriculture community is about coming together during the tough times, and this is yet another time that calls for unity, compassion and faith for better days ahead.”
Oklahoma Forestry Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, has announced that approximately $400,000 is currently available to rural fire departments serving communities of less than 10,000 in population through a competitive grant process. “This Rural Fire 80/20 Reimbursement Grant provides financial assistance to rural fire departments,” said Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. “Funds can be used to purchase firefighting or communications equipment or build or improve a fire station.” The program is funded by the Oklahoma Legislature and authorized by Governor Mary Fallin. Applications must be submitted through one of Oklahoma’s Rural Fire Coordinators by Oct. 1, 2012 and are available at forestry.ok.gov/firegrants. Successful grant recipients will be notified on or about Nov. 1. Following official notification, fire departments can make eligible purchases and submit receipts for 80 percent reimbursement. “We want to encourage rural fire departments to apply for these grants to improve their wildland firefighting capabilities,” said State Forester George Geissler. “It is especially important for all fire departments to review their radio systems for compliance with new FCC requirements which go into effect in January 2013. Ensuring rural fire departments’ radio capability will be a priority for this year’s grant process.” For more information, contact Rural Fire Coordinators or OFS Rural Fire Staff Forester Gary Williams at 800-517-3673 or 405-288-2385.