PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau partners with Governor’s Food Drive County Farm Bureau offices across Oklahoma are once again serving as food donation drop off locations for Gov. Mary Fallin’s third annual Feeding Oklahoma Food and Fund Drive being held Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. Farm Bureau has partnered with the Governor’s food drive since its inception in 2010.
“Oklahoma Farm Bureau is proud to participate in this honorable effort to feed hungry Oklahomans,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “Farmers and ranchers produce an abundance of safe and affordable food. It is unacceptable for any man, woman or child to go to bed hungry in this nation.” During an Oct. 11 press conference announcing the food drive, Gov. Fallin said the campaign’s goal is to provide enough food for 1.2 million meals. According to the USDA, Oklahoma ranks as the fifth hungriest state in the nation, with more than 675,000 Oklahomans struggling with hunger every day. The Oklahoma food banks provide enough food for 150,000 people each week. OFB President Mike Spradling (right) presents a “Farm Bureau’s participabox of food to Gov. Mary Fallin and Regional Food tion in the food drive is a Bank of Oklahoma Executive Director Rodney continuation of our comBivens during a press conference announcing the mitment to feeding hungry beginning of the Governor’s Food Drive. Oklahomans,” Spradling said.
October 19, 2012
In This Issue • Governor’s Food Drive • 71st Annual Meeting • State questions on ballot • Farm Family nominees • Fire Prevention Week Farm Bureau launched its Farmers Fighting Hunger campaign five years ago to combat hunger and educate the public about the important role farmers and ranchers play in producing a safe, nutritious product. Each year, Farm Bureau members bring non-perishable food items to the annual Farm Bureau convention in November. Most recently the farm group has announced partnership in the Beef for Backpacks program where nutritional beef sticks are added to hungry children’s backpacks for use on weekends and holidays. The food drive is conducted in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, which serves community soup kitchens, food banks and shelters in all 77 counties. Contact your county Farm Bureau office for more information about the food drive.
Visit the OFB website at okfarmbureau.org for a detailed schedule and more information.
Member Benefits • Beef Verification Solution is a comprehensive cattle program utilizing ISO compliant radio frequency identification technology and providing practical, farmlevel solutions for livestock data collection, management and communication. For more information, contact your Farm Bureau Field Representative.
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 OFB Annual Meeting November 9-11 • Oklahoma City Contact: Monica Wilke, (405) 523-2303 FBW Rally November 30 - December 1 • Tulsa Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 AFBF Annual Meeting January 13-16, 2013 • Nashville, TN Contact: Melisa Neal, (405) 523-2475
Oklahomans to vote on state questions in November Six state questions will appear on the general election ballot in November. OFB public policy staff members have summarized each question and indicated how OFB policy applies: State Question 758 A yes vote changes the current cap on ad valorem increases from five percent to three percent of fair cash value in any taxable year. The three percent cap will apply to homestead exempted property and agricultural land. OFB policy supports this question. State Question 759 A yes vote prohibits certain preferential treatment or discrimination within three areas of government action: employment, education and contracting. In these areas, the measure does not allow affirmative action programs, except in the following three instances: 1. When gender is a bonafide qualifica tion, it is allowed. 2. Existing court orders and consent decrees that require preferred treat ment will continue and can be followed. 3. Affirmative action is allowed when needed to keep or obtain federal funds. AFBF policy supports this question.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • OFB Annual Meeting – Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 71st Annual Meeting is just a few weeks away. Visit the OFB homepage for the most up-todate schedule and information. • 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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State Question 762 A yes vote modifies the power and authority of the Governor and Pardon and Parole Board in the parole process for nonviolent offenders. It decreases the power and authority of the Governor by removing the Governor from the parole process for persons convicted of certain offenses defined as nonviolent offenses. It enlarges the power and authority of the Pardon and Parole Board by authorizing that Board, in place of the Governor, to grant parole to persons convicted of certain offenses defined as nonviolent offenses. OFB currently has no policy on this question. State Question 764 A yes vote creates the Water Infrastructure Credit Enhancement Reserve Fund and allows the OWRB to issue bonds. Any bonds issued would be used to provide a reserve fund for the Board. The fund would be a reserve fund for certain water resource and sewage treatment funding programs. OFB policy supports this question. State Question 765 A yes vote repeals sections of the constitution relating to the Department of Public Welfare, its commission and director, and grants the Legislature the authority to create and direct the administration of a department to provide for public welfare. OFB currently has no policy on this question. State Question 766 A yes vote exempts all intangible personal property from ad valorem taxation. Intangible Personal Property which is still currently taxed but would not be taxed if the measure is adopted, includes items such as: • patents, inventions, formulas, designs, and trade secrets; • licenses, franchise, and contracts; land leases, mineral interests, and insurance policies; • custom computer software; and trademarks, trade names and brand names. If adopted, the measure would apply to property taxation starting with the tax year that begins on January 1,2013. OFB policy supports this question.
Farm Family of the Year to be named at annual meeting The Farm Family of the Year award honors OFB members who best represent farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture. The winning family will be named during the awards program at the 2012 OFB Annual Meeting on Nov. 10. The following six families were nominated for the award: Ricky and Andrea Longshore, Adair Co. The Longshore’s operation consists of cattle, a small plot of strawberries that they harvest to sell and hay, which produces enough forage to service their cattle. Their main source of farming income is their three pullet houses. Richard and Cecelia Castle, Alfalfa Co. The Castle’s operation has grown since
1960 to more than 6,000 acres of wheat, milo, alfalfa and pasture. They also manage a cow-calf operation of 150 head and purchase about 2,000 stockers to run on Bermuda grass and wheat pasture each year. Brent and Amie Straub of Kiowa Co. The Straubs began farming full-time in 2006. The operation’s cultivated ground consists mostly of wheat, but they also have sesame, canola and milo. The family also does custom farming of 500 acres for family, friends and neighbors. Mikeal and Sonya Alexander, LeFlore Co. Mikeal began his row crop farming operation by renting 800 acres, but their current farm also consists of a cow-calf herd. They have 300 acres in spinach, turnip
Oklahoma Farm Bureau sponsors youth at Tulsa State Fair LEFT – OFB board members pose with Hunter McKinnon, of Lone Grove FFA, after purchasing the premium on her Reserve Grand Champion Market Barrow at the 2012 Tulsa State Fair on Oct. 5.
RIGHT – Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling (right) accepts the Frank Sanders Memorial Award after OFB was recognized as the volume buyer for the 2011 Tulsa State Fair Livestock Premium Auction.
Mayer recognized posthumously Texas County Farm Bureau President Leon Richards presents a plaque to Anna Mayer for the many years of service to Farm Bureau by her late husband, Lewis, who passed away earlier this year. Lewis had served more than 40 years on the Texas County Farm Bureau board of directors.
and collard greens and 130 acres of alfalfa grass for hay. They also raise corn, soybeans and wheat in the winter months. Willis and Mary McKay, Love Co. A cow-calf herd of approximately 185 commercial cow-calf pairs with Lim-Flex bulls makes up the McKay’s operation. The family produces their own hay, and they generally calve about 30 first-calf heifers each year. Ricky and Claudia Crow, Pottawatomie Co. Retail vegetable production is the mainstay of the Crow’s farming operation. The 60 acres of vegetables consists of a wide variety of crops from asparagus to zucchini. They also have alfalfa hay, wheat, 11 greenhouses and a cow-calf herd.
Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers sponsor livestock judging contest
More than 1,200 rural Oklahoma youths received strong support from Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program when the farm group sponsored livestock judging contests at this year’s Oklahoma State Fair and Tulsa State Fair. “We believe these contests are a good opportunity for young people to evaluate livestock and learn public speaking skills,” said Brent Straub, Hobart farmer and chairman of the OFB YF&R committee. Competitors judge the livestock based on the animals’ market and breeding qualities. “Anybody who wants to be involved in agriculture needs these skills,” Straub said. Contestants competed in different age brackets for both team and individual categories. Winners received plaques, cash awards and jackets. The Tulsa contest served as a qualifying event for the National Western Livestock Show contest in Denver in January.
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Macey Panach, 523-2346 Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Perspective/Online News Editor Perspective/Online News Editor Monica Wilke, 523-2303 Executive Director Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Sam 523-2347 ViceKnipp, President of Communications/PR Vice President of Communications/PR Marla Peek, 523-2437 Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Director of Regulatory Vice President of PublicAffairs Policy
Chris Kidd, 523-2539 Director of State and National Affairs Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Regulatory Affairs
OFB fire safety trailer travels to southwest Oklahoma Students at Big Pasture Schools, located in Cotton County, celebrated Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 9 by touring the Oklahoma Farm Bureau fire safety trailer. The 34-foot mobile classroom is equipped with a kitchen, living room and bedroom and is used to teach students the importance of fire safety. “The fire safety trailer is a hands-on simulation designed to show children what to do in case of a fire,” said Justin Grego, OFB safety services director. Randlett volunteer firefighters and OFB safety specialist Micah Martin talked to the students about smoke detectors and common household hazards that can create fires. “We discuss the importance of testing smoke detectors once a month and chang-
ing the battery every six months even if the battery still works,” Grego said. “The detector is a lifesaver, and it needs fresh batteries every six months to do its job. “We also visit with the students about helping their parents remove fire hazards to decrease fire risks in their homes.” The fire safety trailer also visited Walters, Waurika and Temple schools while in southwest Oklahoma.
ABOVE – Students enter the fire safety trailer at Big Pasture Schools. LEFT – Randlett volunteer firefighter David Rivers talks to students about removing fire hazards in their homes.
Danish consultant visits OFB members’ farms OFB member Greg Leonard of Afton (left) hosted Jens Peter Hansen, a Danish consultant for the Videncentret for Landbrug, or Knowledge Center for Agriculture. Hansen visited the Leonards’ northeastern Oklahoma farm on Oct. 4 and was especially interested in their use of GPS and precision agriculture. Hansen got to ride along with Leonard as he planted winter wheat using autosteer. The previous day, Hansen visited Noble County OFB member Scott Dvorak and learned about his operation.
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