PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
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July 12, 2013
Farm Bill decision reaches critical time frame
TOP – Congressman Frank Lucas meets with Payne County residents in Stillwater on July 2 to discuss topics including the farm bill, nutrition programs and other issues seen in D.C. Lucas plans to accomplish 50 town visits this year.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau recently called on the Oklahoma federal delegation to reengage Congress in the farm bill legislation. With only a few weeks left on the legislative calendar before Congress adjourns for the August recess, Oklahoma farmers are pushing lawmakers to restart the farm bill debate. The U.S. House defeated the farm bill in June after a controversial debate over the nutrition program section of the bill. Without a new bill, the law requires farm programs to revert to the 1949 law, which is more expensive and less applicable to today’s modern agriculture. “It is imperative that Congress rejoins the effort to pass a bill that is good for both farmers and consumers,”said Mike Spradling, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “This bill should give farmers the
protection and ability to manage risks with a solid crop insurance program, and assure a stable, high quality food supply for consumers. We need a new farm bill now to help plan for the next crop, which goes in the ground beginning in September.” Spradling voiced disappointment in the June defeat; however, he praised Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, for his efforts to pass the bill. “The bill’s defeat was difficult to swallow, but I cannot imagine how much worse it could have been without Rep. Lucas fighting for us,” Spradling said. “Oklahoma’s agriculture industry is 100 percent behind Lucas and we will work with him and our entire Oklahoma delegation to get a new farm bill before the August recess.”
Youth gain leadership insight at OKFB conference Seventeen of Oklahoma’s best and brightest high school seniors spent four days learning about leadership, team building and agriculture at the second annual Oklahoma Youth Leading Agriculture conference, June 24-27, in Oklahoma City. OYLA is hosted by Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. Mason Bolay, chairman of the YF&R Committee, said OYLA participants were handpicked based on their leadership experience, academic excellence and agricultural interests. “We know we picked 17 of the state’s top high school seniors who are going to be the face of agriculture in the future,” Bolay said. The conference was designed to prepare high school students for a future career in agriculture and advance youth leadership. The group learned about media training, money-spending habits and agricultural advocacy. They toured companies such as Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Chesapeake
Energy, P&K Equipment and Whole Foods. “The purpose of OYLA is to expose rural Oklahoma students to careers in agriculture and related fields that are right here in Oklahoma,” said Holly Carroll, OYLA coordinator. “We want to help them find ways High school seniors from across Oklahoma spent to stay in our state after four days with Oklahoma Farm Bureau at OYLA. graduation, because we hold so dear,” Carroll said. know that they are the key to the future Gatlin Squires, a senior at Kingfisher success of Farm Bureau and Oklahoma High School, said OYLA has helped him agriculture. We also focus on developing network with industry professionals and leadership and communication skills while other agricultural enthusiasts his age. increasing their networking abilities.” “We’re at very impressionable ages Carroll said the conference promotes right now,” Squires said. “We’re trying to gaining confidence, overcoming challenges develop a sense of who we are and by doing and gaining some agricultural education. “We want them to know the importance that we’re developing friends and we’re of agriculture in Oklahoma and the role (See OYLA, page 3) they play in continuing the traditions we
Member Benefits •Beltone Hearing Aid Centers – Offers OKFB members a free, no obligation hearing evaluation plus a 15% discount on hearing aid purchases. Call 1-800-BELTONE. OKFB highlights a benefit in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OKFB members. Find a complete list of savings online at www.okfarmbureau.org.
OKFB Calendar OSU Big Three Field Days July 16-18 • Stillwater Contact: Holly Carroll, (405) 301-6610 District Farm Family Applications Due August 1 • County Offices Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 August Area Meetings August 12-27 • Statewide Contact: Thad Doye, (405) 523-2307
Covington joins OKFB public policy LeeAnna Covington has joined the Oklahoma Farm Bureau public policy department as the director of national affairs. “We are extremely pleased to have LeeAnna in our public policy department,” said Monica Wilke, executive director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies. “Her legal and agricultural background is a good fit for the demanding and complex public policy arena. She brings a high degree of professionalism, legal knowledge and understanding of agriculture important to our organization.” In her new position, Covington will work on national agricultural issues, including the farm bill, immigration and estate taxes. She will also be a constant presence at the state Capitol focusing on agriculture and rural issues important to OKFB members. “I look forward to serving the Oklahoma Farm Bureau in this new capacity,” Covington said. “I strongly support the mission of our member driven organization.” Covington grew up on a family farm and ranch in Logan County. She earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University, while serving as team captain of the OSU Equestrian Team. Covington later
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. • OKFB Harvest Watch Blog – The second annual OKFB Harvest Watch blog season is underway. Visit www.okfarmbureau.org and click on the OKFB Harvest Watch link to follow the six farm families.
www.okfarmbureau.org
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LeeAnna Covington obtained a juris doctorate from Oklahoma City University. Covington has previously worked for Oklahoma Farm Bureau in the human resources department, where she utilized her legal background in employment related matters. Covington joins John Collison, vice president of public policy and media affairs; Marla Peek, director of regulatory affairs; and Sara Drozdowski, administrative assistant.
OKFB seeks nominations for Cotton Board Oklahoma Farm Bureau is seeking nominations for candidates who are interested in serving on the Cotton Board, a national organization responsible for governing the Cotton Research and Promotion Program in an effort to increase demand and consumption of cotton. All Oklahomans are encouraged to apply for the position on the board, which has a strong commitment to full representation of women, minorities and opinions from different segments and operation practices/ sizes. Nominations are due July 24, 2013. For more information or to submit your name, please contact OKFB President Mike Spradling at (405) 523-2458.
2013 August Area Meetings scheduled for Aug. 12-27 Farm Bureau’s August Area Meetings give members the opportunity to help set OKFB public policy for the next year through a grassroots process. District 1 - August 19 6:30 p.m. - Woodward (TBA) District 1 - August 27 6:30 p.m. - Guymon (TBA) District 2 - August 13 6:30 p.m. - Kiowa Co. FB Office
District 3 - August 13 6:30 p.m. - Canadian Co. FB office District 4 - August 19 11 a.m. - Marshall Co. FB office 6:30 p.m. - Stephens Co. FB office District 5 - August 27 6 p.m. - Western Sizzlin’, McAlester District 6 - August 22 10 a.m. - Mayes Co. FB Office 6 p.m. - Muskogee Co. FB Office
District 7 - August 15 6:30 p.m. - Enid (Hoover Building at Garfield County Fairgrounds) District 8 - August 12 6 p.m. - Pontotoc Technology Center District 9 - August 20 6 p.m. - Tulsa County FB Office
(OYLA, from page 1)
OYLA participants tour Whole Foods in Oklahoma City to gain new insight on the farm-to-table aspect of agriculture.
establishing those connections that are going to be there for the rest of our lives.” Pawnee high school’s Morgan Vance said OYLA broadened her knowledge of agriculture and helped her see the bigger picture. “Being with some of the most premiere agriculturalists of our generation and learning how to be better advocates for agriculture has really expanded my horizons,” Vance said. “Learning all the behind-the-scenes stuff has really opened my eyes and given me a greater grasp on what we [as agriculturalists] do.” Service-minded leadership and volunteerism were seen throughout the conference as well. The group worked with Kids Against Hunger to assemble meals to send to hungry families across the state. “Knowing that it took us literally four seconds to feed six people a meal for their
P&K Equipment in Kingfisher gives OYLA participants hands-on experience driving farm machinery equipped with GPS capabilities.
day was overwhelming,” Vance said. “The fact that we fed over 6,000 people in an hour and a half was mind blowing.” The conference also gave participants the opportunity to see Oklahoma Farm Bureau in a different light. “One of the highlights of the conference was learning how to advocate for agriculture because that’s one of the main things Farm Bureau does through lobbying and legislation support,” Squires said. “It was a cool opportunity to work with Farm Bureau and see some behind-the-scenes stuff that we don’t normally get to see.” Squires and Vance said the leadership skills, agricultural knowledge and connections they have made will not soon be forgotten. “It’s been an awesome opportunity and these connections will be with us for the rest of our lives,” Squires said.
Chesapeake Energy employees discuss career possibilities within the oil and natural gas industry with students participating in OYLA.
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AFBF Best Single Photo Winner
2013 Wheat Harvest
Reimer Harvesting of Medford unloads one of their final loads of wheat for the 2013 harvest year.
OKFB communications division wins PR awards The OKFB corporate communications and public relations team received eight national awards during the American Farm Bureau Public Relations Conference in Portland, Ore., June 24-27. The awards recognize excellence in communicating agriculture and Farm Bureau’s message. Oklahoma Farm Bureau competed against other state Farm Bureaus in the large-state (over 80,000 members) category. Awards won by the OKFB team include: Best Single Photo: Winner, Dustin Mielke Best Use of Photos: Winner, Dustin Mielke Best Audio News Story: Winner, Sam Knipp Best Audio Feature Story: Winner, Sam Knipp Best Feature Story: Honorable Mention, Gail (Banzet) Ellis Best Audio Program: Honorable Mention, Sam Knipp Best Video Feature Story: Honorable Mention, Dustin Mielke Best Media Relations Event: Honorable Mention, Communications Division
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As the sun sets on the 2013 Oklahoma wheat harvest, the final numbers for this season’s crop show the significant damage caused by severe drought and late freezing. Producers in the Kingfisher and Enid areas brought in test weights ranging from 57 to 59 with a few fields yielding 60 bushels per acre, but averaging 25 to 45. Alva and Burlington areas saw yields between the mid 30s and high 40s with test weights between 56 and 59 pounds per bushel. Perhaps the most severe drought and freeze damage occurred in the Panhandle region of the state. Producers in the dry-land areas reported yields of zero to 18 bushels per acre with extremely low test weights. Panhandle producers saw a significant difference in their irrigated wheat, bringing in 24 to 60 bushels per acre depending on the variety.