PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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Farm Bureau delegates maintain strong support for property rights Voting delegates at the 71st annual Okla- pessimistic the lame duck congress will pass a new farm bill. homa Farm Bureau convention reaffirmed “I think it’s going to be an uphill battle,” their position on protecting private property rights for the state’s landowners. The annual Thatcher said. “The farm bill has to compete with other issues such as the expiring meeting was held at the Cox Convention tax provision and Medicare doctor fix.” Center, Oklahoma City, Nov. 9-11. In other delegate action, resolutions were “Protecting private property rights has passed supporting a $2.5 million emergency always been a priority issue for us,” said agricultural fund to be used for wildfires Mike Spradling, OFB President. “Propand other natural disasters; penalties should erty rights are the foundation for keeping be increased for livestock theft; support Oklahoma agriculture strong.” for increased public education on animal Delegates also voted to support volagriculture production practices; more untary regional planning groups that are aggressive control measures for feral hogs; non-regulatory in regards to the statewide strengthen trespassing water plan. laws; and continued “We are going support for farm sales to continue to work tax exemptions. with legislators on Pottawatomie this in 2013 as we County farmer John recognize water is an Grundmann, Shawnee, important issue for was elected to represent Oklahoma residents,” District 8 on the OFB Spradling said. Board of Directors. The farm group Mason Bolay, voiced concern over Tahlequah, was elected increased government to lead OFB’s Young environmental Farmers and Ranchers regulations, increased Committee in 2013. taxes and the lack of a Adam and Nicole new farm bill. Martens, Fairview, were “We’ve been sayselected as the YF&R ing for months now Achievement Award that farmers and winner. ranchers need a new Richard and Cecelia farm bill,” Spradling Castle, Jet, were named said. “Now that the John Grundmann OFB’s Farm Family of the elections are over, we hope Year; Steve and Mindi Clark, Congress will take quick Byron, were named winners of the YF&R action on the bill. Pushing the bill into Excellence in Agriculture Award; Gerald 2013 could prove costly for agriculture as Turner, Pawnee, received the Lifetime the new Congress will have different budLegacy Award; and Clint Wilcox, Fairview, get numbers to work with.” won the YF&R discussion meet. However, Mary Kay Thatcher, senior Clara Wichert, Fairview, received the director of Congressional relations, AmeriDistinguished Service award. can Farm Bureau, told the group she is
Find more convention photos and information at okfarmbureau.org
November 16, 2012
In This Issue • 71st Annual Meeting Recap • FBW Winter Rally • Annual Meeting Awards • OFB Private Treaty Cattle Sale • Rep. Lucas Internship
Register now for Women’s Rally The 2012 Women’s Rally will be Nov. 30 - Dec. 1 at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Tulsa. Highlights include a presentation from KOTV meteorologist Travis Meyers, a silent auction benefitting the Ag in the Classroom DVD project and a trade show full of unique vendors. For more information or to register, contact Marcia Irvin, FBW director, at (405) 523-2405 or marcia.irvin@okfb.org.
National award winners Vinita FFA recently won the National FFA Model of Innovation – Student Development Award for their “Don’t Text - Just Drive” program. They were recognized at the National FFA Convention Nov. 1 in Indianapolis, Ind. The Craig County Farm Bureau sponsored local drivers’ safety meetings with the chapter. Pictured (from left) are Craig Co. Womens’ Committee Chair Marilynn Spence, Vinita FFA Vice President Tim Taylor, Vinita FFA Advisor Carolyn Piguet, Vinita FFA President Hanna Minson, Craig Co. Womens Committee Vice Chair Ethel Spaulding.