May 30, 2014

PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

®

May 30, 2014

Last days of legislative session prove successful for OKFB Oklahoma Farm Bureau applauds the Oklahoma legislature for passing HB 2562, May 22, which reduces an approaching gross production tax rate increase on horizontal wells and also applies an equal rate to traditional vertical wells. Under the new law, horizontal wells will be subject to a tax incentive program to reduce the effective gross production rate to 2 percent for the first 36 months of production and then increase to 7 percent. The same law will be applied to vertical wells, which are currently taxed at 7 percent.

The bill replaces an expiring incentive program and prevents the gross production tax rate from automatically increasing to the actual rate of 7 percent in 2015.

“While we are always concerned about raising taxes on landowners, we view this bill as a strong compromise for our members who own mineral rights and the oil and gas companies who provide jobs and revenue in our rural communities,” OKFB President Tom Buchanan said. “We would like to thank the legislature for taking

action before royalty owners and the state’s energy industry were negatively impacted next year.”

In another effort to protect the rights of Oklahoma landowners, OKFB opposed HJR 1092, which would have increased Oklahoma ad valorem taxes to build storm shelters in schools. The bill was originally defeated 34-61 by the House, May 22, but was reconsidered later that evening and passed with 51 votes.

Despite the late-night reconsideration and passing by the House, HJR 1092 was defeated in the Senate 16-25, May 23.

“Farm Bureau fully supports the construction of shelters to protect students and appreciates Rep. Mark McBride and Rep. Jon Echols’ efforts to raise private dollars through the Shelter Oklahoma Schools foundation,” Buchanan said. “Our state’s agricultural producers are major landowners in their communities and would unfairly bear the brunt of this ad valorem tax increase.

(See Session, page 4)

OKFB Women’s Leadership Team Summer Conference approaching The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Team will host its 2014 Summer Conference July 11-12, in Midwest City. The conference will take place at the Reed Center attached to the Sheraton Midwest City hotel.

The two-day leadership training event will include breakout sessions covering social media, fraud protection, election candidates and more; a presentation by OKFB member Marcy Luter and an informational tour of the Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City gardens. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction benefitting the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation.

The Summer Conference is a perfect

time to meet other OKFB women, learn more about agricultural issues and grow as a leader. All OKFB women are encouraged to attend. Spouses may attend for an additional $50 charge.

Visit www.okfarmbureau.org to download a registration form. Call the Sheraton Midwest City Hotel at (405) 455-1800 no later than June 16, to make hotel reservation. For questions, contact Marcia Irvin at (405) 523-2405.

Nemecek joins OKFB staff as summer intern Hannah Nemecek, of Skiatook, joined Oklahoma Farm Bureau as the communications summer intern in mid-May. Nemecek is a senior Hannah Nemecek majoring in agricultural communications at Oklahoma State University. Her interest in the internship stemmed from her passion for sharing agriculture with the public, Nemecek said.

“Most Americans have no idea where food comes from,” Nemecek said. “As a communicator, it’s my job to tell them.”

The daughter of an agricultural education instructor, Nemecek grew up on a small swine operation.

“As a senior in high school, I discovered the significance of the public’s agricultural illiteracy,” Nemecek said. “I wanted to do something about it.”

A degree in agricultural communications has given her the knowledge and skills necessary to tell the story of agriculture.

OKFB’s communication internship is designed to provide quality work experience to an agricultural communications student. During the internship, students are able to write stories for OKFB publications and radio and gain experience in photography and videography.

“I want to communicate agriculture to those who know nothing about it,” Nemecek said. “At Oklahoma Farm Bureau, I’ll learn how.”

Member Benefits • Cimarron Trailers offers OKFB members two discounts, based on the trailer model that is purchased. For more on Cimarron Trailers and their many models of trailers visit www.cimarrontrailers.com.

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/benefits.

OKFB Calendar Oklahoma Youth Leading Agriculture Conference June 23-26 • Oklahoma City Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 530-2681 OKFB Summer Conference July 11-12 • Midwest City Contact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405 OSU Big 3 Field Days July 15-17 • Stillwater Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 530-2681

By John Collison OKFB Vice President of Public Policy and Media Relations As a lobbyist, each session is different from the one before. Sure the mechanisms are in place to assure its uniformity, but trust me when I say each session is different.

The OKFB public policy team found ourselves going from the offensive last session to playing major defense against policy decisions that affect you as members and our company as a whole. We had to get to work early this year and put to rest a home office tax credit bill that would have been a $1 million yearly impact to our county offices.

This is money that we already put directly back into our communities and offices. If the government wants it back so they can grow government, then we say let’s leave it in the communities where it belongs.

Unfortunately, one of the biggest fights of the session was over an unnecessary storm shelter bill that, if enacted, would have been

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 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 annual OKFB Harvest Watch blog season is underway. Visit www.okfarmbureau.org and click on the OKFB Harvest Watch link to follow families from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

potentially the largest land tax increase in state history. We at Oklahoma Farm Bureau are proud of the effort we and other companies have made to donate millions of private dollars to fund storm shelters in the schools that need them most. While the John Collison politics of this bill got a little out of hand, at the end of the day, we prevailed and protected property taxes from an unnecessary increase.

As I stated many times this spring, this was a session filled with politics and not a lot of policy. Your Oklahoma Farm Bureau was successful with a number of issues that we will follow up with in other articles, and we will get a chance to talk about them face to face as we meet this summer. For now, know that your voice is strong at the Capitol, and that is because you are involved. We are only able to do what we do at the Capitol because you do your work in the country and let members know you are paying attention.

We thank you for letting us serve you at the Capitol and look forward to seeing you soon.

Ag Advocacy OKFB's Sam Knipp talks about agricultural advocacy with Alfalfa County Women’s Committee member Terry Pederson’s sixth graders in Burlington, May 20.

OKFB hosts journalism intern from South Africa South African journalist Malixole Gwatyu joined Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s communication department as an intern May 12-16.

Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs in Africa, the internship is hosted by Oklahoma State University and funded through a U.S. Department of State grant. Gwatyu is one of 12 African interns visiting the United States.

“The idea in coming here is to fully learn and see which models I can best use in my company,” said Gwatyu, owner and managing editor of Insitka AgriMedia in Pretoria, South Africa.

Insitka AgriMedia is a private, internetbased company that also distributes print publications through various partnerships, Gwatyu said.

During his time with OKFB, Gwatyu learned about Oklahoma agriculture and communications by touring farms, meeting with industry and political leaders and visiting radio and television outlets.

Gwatyu met with several OKFB leaders including president Tom Buchanan, District 3 Director Rodd Moesel and Jackson County FB board member Matt Muller. He was also able to visit with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese.

“I picked up a very strong love for the land,” Gwatyu said. “That explains why those who are involved in agriculture in Oklahoma and America are so successful. They do it passionately, not just half-heartedly.”

OKFB also taught Gwatyu the importance of uniting as farmers, he said.

“Farmers in my country complain mostly of not having a voice,” Gwatyu said. “If you are part of the collective that is well organized, you stand a better change of being heard.”

Gwatyu said he hopes to create a group similar to OKFB in his country. If South African farmers come together outside of the government, they will be able to voice their opinions, he said.

“An independent agricultural organization is the bigger dream that I have,” Gwatyu said. “If that project comes to fruition, I will be able to come back and say, ‘Thank you, Farm Bureau.’”

In July, a group from OSU will travel to Africa to follow up with Gwatyu and the other interns. They will visit the companies and learn more about business in Africa, Gwatyu said.

ABOVE – OKFB member Matt Muller shows Gwatyu a piece of drip tape used in irrigating his farm.

BELOW – Gwatyu learns about greenhouses and horticulture from OKFB District Three Director Rodd Moesel.

YF&R Golf Classic benefits OKFB Legal Foundation

OKFB YF&R state committee members Mary and Derek Crain (right) present the first place trophy to Kenny Heckart, JC Dunigan and Lee McLaurine. The Woodward County Farm Bureau team took home the top team honors beating out 22 other teams with a round of 56.

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers state committee raised more than $16,000 for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation during the annual YF&R Golf Classic, May 16.

The 12th annual event was held at Choctaw Creek Golf Course where 23 teams competed in a four-man scramble. The golf classic is the largest fundraiser organized for the OKFB Legal Foundation and all proceeds benefit the foundation’s efforts to protect the rights of farmers and ranchers and represent them regarding agricultural issues.

“We appreciate the continued support from the YF&R and those who participate in the tournament,”

OFBLF Director LeeAnna McNally said.

“The OKFB Legal Foundation was established to protect private property rights and production agriculture. The funds we receive from the tournament each year help us grow this important mission.”

Team results include first place - Kenny Heckart, JC Dunigan and Lee McLaurine from Woodward County; second place John Wiscaver, Larry Brown, Jeff Chamblin and Tim Cochran from Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance; third place –Adam Martens, Todd McQue, Todd Gilcrest and Chad Nightengale from Wiggins Auctioneers.

Visit www.ofblegalfoundation.org to learn more about the OKFB Legal Foundation. Photos from the tournament are available on the OKFB Flickr page at www.flickr.com/okfarmbureau.

District 7

3

Published by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Postmaster: address corrections to: Published bySend Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332

Staff Directory Staff Directory Monica Wilke, 523-2303

Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Okla. City, OK.

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

Congress finalizes waterways infrastructure bill Farmers and ranchers are urging President Barack Obama to swiftly sign the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, which puts America’s inland waterways and port infrastructure on a solid and sustainable foundation to contribute to U.S. economic growth, jobs and global competitiveness for generations to come, according to American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

“The American Farm Bureau Federation and our 6 million member families have long championed an efficient and reliable inland waterway system linked to competitive ports,” Stallman said. “We’re pleased that

Congress recognizes that the ports, channels, locks, dams and other infrastructure that support our waterways transportation are vital to America’s ability to provide affordable agricultural products at home and abroad.”

WRRDA will bring $6 billion in total cost savings and put in place important reforms to ensure the reliability and strength of our nation’s inland waterways and ports, Stallman said.

Both the House and Senate versions of the bill were passed last year with strong bipartisan support. Completion of the legislation was a strategic action issue for Farm Bureau.

(Session, from page 1) “Many producers are already making difficult management decisions due to the severe drought conditions, and we would like to thank the Senate for understanding the potential undue burden this bill could have placed on farmers and ranchers.”

Oklahoma Farm Bureau applauds those legislators who voted to turn down the measure.

“This was an unfortunate case of political power undermining what’s best for Oklahoma communities, but we are glad to see that at the end of the day, our legislators understand the negative impact this bill could have had on farmers and ranchers,” Buchanan said.

EPA’s ‘Waters of the U.S.’ analysis misses the mark EPA claims it is not broadening jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act in its proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule, but a look at the million-plus acres that could be affected by the proposal says otherwise.

While EPA’s analysis of the proposal determined there would be only 1,300 additional acres that would be regulated under the Clean Water Act, American Farm Bureau Federation analysis shows the proposed rule could affect more than 106 million acres, and that’s looking exclusively from a wetlands perspective. The hundreds of millions of acres impacted could include cropland, pastureland, Conservation Reserve Program acreage, rangeland, forestland and other agricultural lands, warned AFBF economist Veronica Nigh.

4

“There aren’t going to be only a few growers who have to deal with the proposed rule. It’s extensive, and it’s going to affect almost all farmers and ranchers in the United States,” said Nigh, who noted the wetlands expansion is just one of many new definitions Farm Bureau is concerned about in the proposed rule.

“Next, we’ll start measuring how other land categories will be affected because this incredible scope of the implication of wetlands is just the tip of the iceberg,” she said.

Published on April 21, in the Federal Register, the more-than-111,000-word “Waters of the U.S.” proposed rule reflects EPA’s latest interpretation of the 1972 Clean Water Act. The rule could ultimately lead to the unlawful expansion of federal

regulation to cover routine farming and ranching practices as well as other common private land uses, such as building homes.

To help Farm Bureau members and others express the need for EPA to “Ditch the Rule,” Farm Bureau has launched a Ditch the Rule website at ditchtherule.fb.org. Focused on topics and analysis related to the “waters of the U.S.” proposed rule, the easyto-navigate site includes several sections: Take Action, Go Social, Find Answers and Get Resources. Visitors may also sign up to learn more, comment on the proposed rule and send tweets using the hashtag #DitchTheRule.