September 6, 2013

PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

®

September 6, 2013

Water, farm bill top list of issues at August Area Meetings

By John Collison OKFB Vice President of Public Policy and Media Relations As we have now finished up our August Area Meetings, I want to say thank you to all of you who turned out to help us prepare for our upcoming legislative session.

More than 500 of our grassroots members showed up at meetings from Guymon to McAlester, Muskogee to Hobart and all points in between. We covered a lot of country and a lot of different issues. Many of you were passionate about issues relating to water, and some wanted to talk about issues pertaining to the farm bill. We covered several other topics, including wind turbines, hydro fracking, the lesser prairie chicken, deep water injection wells and a full array of other issues.

From the day I arrived at Oklahoma Farm Bureau , I have been talking about water and its importance to our state. After talking to people from all 77 counties at our meetings, I now understand that you too see it as an issue we need to be solving. I heard from folks way out west who

need water and from folks way over east who sometimes have an abundance of it.

One thing that I have taken away from these meetings is that you want to come to the table and see if we can better utilize an asset that we have taken for granted for too long. We need to start treating water with the reverence and respect that it deserves.

We are all now waking up to the fact that as the cities grow bigger and their demands grow stronger, we will have to be the leader when it comes to dealing with rural water and what we do with the water on or under our land.

We need to begin to put water on the level of oil and gas, wind and other forms of energy – all resources we have excess amounts of and can be used as assets. This water issue will not be solved over night or even in a legislative session. This is a conversation we need to continue and take to our governor and leadership if we hope to be the best stewards of this precious re-

source in our state. We have called on Gov. Fallin to include the water issue again in her State of the State address when we go back into session early next year. With the leadership she has shown on so many rural issues, I believe someone with her ability would be able to take us to a new level of discussion on how we can best use Oklahoma’s most precious resource.

Again, I want to thank each and every one of you that took the time to show up and voice your opinion. This is why Oklahoma Farm Bureau was created and exists today. It is for leaders and members such as you who will come and talk about hard issues that others decline to talk about. I look forward to not only working on important issues such as water, but all the other issues that we talked about in our meetings. Don’t let the discussion end just because August is over. Please be involved with our mission year round, and together we can make a difference for rural Oklahoma.

BELOW – OKFB Leadership Team Chairman Kitty Beavers updates District 4 members about recent Leadership Team activities during their August Area Meeting in Duncan, Aug. 19.

ABOVE – OKFB’s Monica Wilke (center) visits with Washington Co. President Macy Strom (left) and Osage Co. FB member Sen. Eddie Fields during the District 9 August Area Meeting in Tulsa, Aug. 20.

ABOVE – District 1 board member Alan Jett (right) talks with Woodward County Farm Bureau board members Mervin Compton (left) and Wes Crain during the District 1 August Area Meeting in Woodward, Aug. 19.

Member Benefits

August Area Meetings wrap up BELOW – District 1 members discuss issues affecting northwest Oklahoma during their August Area Meeting, Aug. 27, in Guymon.

• Sam’s Club offers OKFB members a $25 Sam’s Club Gift Card when they sign up for a new Sam’s Club Plus membership or renew an existing Plus membership by June 30, 2014. Visit the OKFB Member Benefits page for more details.

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

ABOVE – Sen. Larry Boggs addresses District 5 members during their August Area Meeting in McAlester, Aug. 27.

LEFT – YF&R Committee member Josh Emerson provides an update on the group’s activities and plans for the fall during the District 6 August Area Meeting, Aug. 22, in Muskogee.

Oklahoma State Fair Livestock Judging Contest September 13 • Oklahoma City Contact: Holly Carroll, (405) 301-6610 YF&R Awards Deadline October 1 • Oklahoma City Contact: Holly Carroll, (405) 301-6610 Resolutions Deadline October 11 • Oklahoma City Contact: Sara Drozdowski, (405) 530-2681

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online

ABOVE – OKFB’s Marla Peek answers District 4 members’ questions during their August Area Meeting meeting in Madill, Aug. 19.

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

Currently online: • Agricultural News – Oklahoma Farm Bureau features a new agriculture-related story every day on its site. Read about both AFBF and state Farm Bureau news by visiting the homepage.

www.okfarmbureau.org 2

• 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.

ABOVE – OKFB’s LeeAnna Covington talks about recent public policy victories during the District 6 August Area Meeting in Pryor, Aug. 22.

Rural, urban leaders gather for Tulsa Taylor named human resources County Leadership Team luncheon director RIGHT – Tulsa Oklahoma Farm Bureau recently named Kathryn Taylor the new director of human resources. Taylor joined OKFB as an intern with the legal foundation in 2011, and she graduated from the University of Oklahoma Kathryn Taylor College of Law this past spring, earning a place on the Dean’s Honor Roll and the Oklahoma Journal of Law & Technology.

“Kathryn’s legal background and her experience working with Farm Bureau staff members make her a great addition to our team,” said Monica Wilke, executive director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies.

Before joining OKFB, Taylor worked for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture in Rural Development and OSU’s New Product Development Center.

“It is an exciting time to join this great organization, and I look forward to this new chapter in my life,” Taylor said. “I desire to truly connect with the members of the Farm Bureau family, and I’m eager to get to know our great employees. My door is always open.”

Save the date for an OKFB tailgate If you’re planning to be in Stillwater for the Kansas State University v. Oklahoma State University football game on Saturday, Oct. 5, be sure to stop by the OKFB/Chisolm Trail Farm Credit tailgate. Look for the OKFB flag flying southeast of the stadium. A time will be determined when kickoff is announced.

Watch for more details in the next issue of Perspective and on OKFB’s website and Facebook page.

Co. Leadership Team member Patty Herriman presents a devotional to more than 35 FB members, local elected officials and area business women during the Tulsa Co. Leadership Team’s annual Rural Urban Luncheon, Aug. 30, in Broken Arrow.

LEFT – Connie Moody (center) shows off the shower cap door prize she received during the Tulsa County Leadership Team Rural Urban Luncheon, Aug. 30, in Broken Arrow.

Pictured with Moody are Tulsa County Leadership Team members Naomi Lynch (left) and Helen Keller.

USDA’s Avalos visits Stillwater Edward Avalos, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, spoke to a packed house at the Payne County Fairgrounds in Stillwater, Thursday, Aug. 29. He spent two days in the area, getting a firsthand look at agricultural operations and related business, community, family and youth programs. During the public forum, he strongly encouraged young people to consider a career in agriculture and told the crowd the USDA understands farmers’ concerns about increased regulations; however, the USDA must follow the laws laid out by Congress.

Avalos grew up on a farm in southern New Mexico and said he understands agriculture and the important role farmers play in feeding and clothing the world. He said there is a large disconnect between rural and urban sectors, but groups such as Farm Bureau can help make the connection

OKFB President Mike Spradling (left) asks a question during the question and answer session of Edward Avalos’ presentation. stronger by telling the farm story.

The lack of a new farm bill and immigration reform were common topics, and Avalos said he wants Congress to “put it in four-wheel drive” and get something done when they return to the Capitol this fall.

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Executive Director

Traci Morgan, 523-2346 John Collison, 523-2539 Perspective/Online News Editor

VP of Public Policy and Media Relations

Macey Hedges, 523-2346 Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Communications Director of Corporate Vice President of Communications/PR Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Director of Corporate Communications

Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Dustin Mielke, 530-2640 Vice President of Public Policy

Director of Corporate Communications

Karolyn Bolay, 523-2320 Marla Peek, 523-2437 Communications SpecialistAffairs Director of Regulatory

Noble County Farm Bureau member appointed to FAPC advisory board An agricultural procenter faculty and staff, ducer is the newest addiand the current advisory tion to an advisory board board chair. The Aug. 20 representing Oklahoma visit also included a tour State University’s Robert of the FAPC facility.

M. Kerr Food & Agri“I’m glad to be here cultural Products Center. and be involved in the Appointed by the vice committee,” Dvorak said president, dean and diduring the visit. “I’m very rector of OSU’s Division passionate about proof Agricultural Sciences duction agriculture and and Natural Resources, agriculture in general.

Scott Dvorak, owner We think more about the and operator of Dvorak end product now than we Farms in Perry, Okla., used to, and facilities, like joins the 16-member FAPC, make that come Industry Advisory Comto reality.” mittee to help oversee Dvorak Farms is a the center’s mission and diversified operation with Scott Dvorak vision. about 3,400 acres used for “I am looking forward raising wheat, corn and to the opportunity to be a part of this com- soybeans, and operating a 200-head committee and to learn more about the advisory mercial cowherd with breeding program board and center,” Dvorak said. and 500 head of stocker cattle.

Dvorak is no stranger to FAPC or being With the entry of Dvorak’s son, Justin, involved in agricultural industry groups. as a full-time employee of the farm in 2011 Dvorak is a past attendee of the popular following his graduation from OSU, the Beef Quality Summit, sponsored by the Dvorak Farm has increased the best pracOklahoma Beef Council, FAPC and OSU. tices focus and has increased profitability of He also is a member of the Division of Ag- the operation. ricultural Sciences and Natural Resources The farm constantly measures its sucDean’s Advisory Council and a past chair of cess by watching the debt-to-asset ratio, the Oklahoma Beef Council board. the increase in net income and reduction Dvorak recently visited the center and of production expenses. Extensive commet with FAPC Director Roy Escoubas, puterized records have allowed the farm administrators from OSU’s Division of Ag- to optimize productivity and profitability ricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, as it considers weather conditions, crops,

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fertilizer applications, livestock and other prevailing conditions.

Also, during Dvorak’s visit to FAPC, he met with the chair of FAPC’s Industry Advisory Committee, Paul Schatte. One of the main topics during the discussion was the focus on food safety.

With a growing demand for safe, quality food products, food-industry companies are engaging in food-safety programs. With the support of its Industry Advisory Committee, FAPC recognized the need and established a Global Food Safety Initiative program to provide services to meet the food safety and security needs of Oklahoma’s food industry.

“The Industry Advisory Committee wants FAPC to be in a leading position in the area of food safety,” Schatte said.

Being an agricultural producer, Dvorak understands the need.

“Food safety is huge,” Dvorak said. “I can produce as much as I want, but it won’t do any good without food safety.”

Dvorak will join the other advisory board members during their next biannual meeting in November.

“Mr. Dvorak has been an aggressively progressive farm and ranch owner and manager, and his very active involvement with trade associations, local civic groups and Oklahoma State University has kept him and the farm at the top of business,” Escoubas said. “His extensive knowledge in production agriculture will bring a wealth of information that will help the mission and vision of the center.”