October 31, 2014

Perspective OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

Resolutions committee members Crystal Williams, Noble County, and Danny Miller, Beckham County, participate in discussion with their subcommittee about potential resolutions to be heard at the OKFB Annual Meeting in November. The resolutions will be discussed during the general session Saturday morning at 9:30.

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OCTOBER 31, 2014

Washita County Farm Bureau member Charlene Thornbrough listens as members of her subcommittee discuss resolutions.

OKFB leaders pass resolutions on water, wind energy, EPA and USDA esolutions to study water transportation in Oklahoma, support wind energy and stop federal agency over regulation were among resolutions passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee during their two-day meeting Oct. 21-22 in Norman. The proposals will be voted on during the annual OKFB Convention Nov. 14-16, in Tulsa.

“Water is a critical factor for agriculture and we want to study the most feasible and economic way of moving water and how

Oklahomans can benefit the most from such a system,” said Roland Pederson, OKFB vice president and chairman of the resolutions committee.

The committee also voiced its support for continuing private property owners’ rights to build and maintain wind farms.

“The wind industry is a growing, thriving industry and we need to make sure Oklahoma is leading — Roland Pederson the way when it comes to supporting growth and private property rights,” Pederson said.

Pederson said the committee passed resolutions to stop the Environmental

Water is a critical factor for agriculture and we want to study the most feasible and economic way of moving water and how Oklahomans can benefit the most from such a system.

Protection Agency from regulating farm ditches and other waters that are not navigable, and keep the USDA from administering the beef referendum.

The group also voted to make Right to Farm legislation a priority issue during the 2015 Oklahoma legislative session.

Pederson said the resolutions process represents true grassroots development.

“Everyone had a chance to talk about their issues as all of these resolutions surfaced at the county level,” Pederson said.

The next step in the resolution process will occur at the OKFB convention when voting delegates vote on all proposed resolutions.

“Those policies will guide us throughout the coming year,” Pederson said.

Buchanan, Williams issue challenge to OKFB members

OKFB hosted Beatrice Alyanata, a farmer and journalist from Uganda, for two weeks as part of her fellowship with Oklahoma State University. This is the third U.S. State Department grant program Oklahoma Farm Bureau has partnered with Oklahoma State University for in the past seven years.

KFB President Tom Buchanan and YF&R Chairman Marty Williams have issued a challenge to OKFB members across the state to donate grain to the Bushels for Books program.

If OKFB members donate a combined total of $1,000 worth of grain to the program, Buchanan and Williams promise to match that donation with $1,000 of their own money.

For information on how to donate, contact Holly Carroll at 405-523-2307.

Agriculture is life: Observations from a Ugandan journalist arming is a cherished part of life, no matter whether that life is in Oklahoma or Uganda. That is just one of many observations made by Beatrice Alyanata, a journalist and farmer from Kampala, Uganda, during her internship with OKFB’s communications department, Oct. 10-24.

Alyanata is one of 11 African participants in the U.S. State Department’s Empowering Aspiring Entrepreneurs project administered

by Oklahoma State University’s agricultural education, communications and leadership department.

“I’ve met many amazing people and feel blessed with the opportunity to work with Farm Bureau,” Alyanata said.

During her two-week internship, Alyanta

attended Farm Bureau meetings, met with state agricultural officials and two Oklahoma congressmen.

“Your farmers are very active in their community and legislative events,” she said. “There is a real passion evident by their strong involvement.”

During a meeting with Farm Bureau members and Oklahoma’s 2nd District U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin in Vinita, Alyanata observed the informal interaction

between rural leaders and their elected representative.

“To have a congressman come and talk to the local community shows your leaders are very involved and proactive on the critical issues impacting them,” she said.

Alyanata also owns and manages a small farm where all the work is done — Beatrice Alyanata by hand. During a visit to an Oklahoma farm, she noticed the mechanized efficiency evident on many farms today.

Your farmers are very active in their community and legislative events. There is a real passion evident by their strong involvement.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Six farm families named for state contest

Farm families from six districts have been nominated for the Farm Family of the Year Award to be given away at OKFB’s Annual Meeting in November. Photos and information about each of the six families can be found at okfarmbureau.org.

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All Around Oklahoma Agriculture: Last chance to comment on EPA proposal U.S. Congressman Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma spoke to farmers and ranchers in Craig County on Monday, Oct. 20, urging them to submit comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed changes to the Clean Water Act.

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Noble County Farm Bureau member earns Oklahoma Water Pioneer Award ike Thralls, recently retired Oklahoma Conservation Commission executive director, received the Oklahoma Water Pioneer Award at the Governor’s Water Conference hosted by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board at the Cox Convention Center.

Since 1985, the award has been presented annually to honor Oklahomans who have made significant contributions in the planning, development, management and conservation of Oklahoma’s water resources. During his 17 years of service to the Conservation Commission and on his own farm, Thralls has made considerable contributions. His vision led to the creation of the state’s first Locally-Led Conservation Cost-Share Program, enabling almost 10,000 Oklahomans to participate in voluntary natural resource conservation since 1998. He also oversaw establishment of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which has improved water quality in northeast Oklahoma by planting 107,773 trees that filter water runoff from 9,588 acres of land.

“Mike’s public service to Oklahomans has manifested in many ways throughout his long and distinguished career,” said OWRB executive director J.D. Strong.

“The Oklahoma Water Pioneer Award has been awarded to a renowned group of Oklahomans, who just like Mike, have gone above and beyond to ensure that all Oklahomans have access to clean water resources for many decades to come.

Having worked alongside Mike for many years, it is an honor for me to be a part of recognizing his dedication and service to Oklahoma’s water users.”

Past award recipients include Senators Henry Bellmon and Robert S. Kerr, Governors Raymond Gary and George Nigh, and former Conservation Commission executive directors Mason Mungle and Leonard Solomon.

Thralls retired in September 2014 after 17 years as Conservation Commission executive director. He continues to utilize and promote conservation practices beneficial to water quality and soil health on his farm in Billings, Oklahoma.

J.D. Strong with the OWRB present Mike Thralls, Noble County Farm Bureau member, with the Oklahoma Water Pioneer Award during the Governor’s Water Conference on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Peterson Farm Brothers to entertain at OKFB convention he Peterson Farm Brothers, young agriculture enthusiasts and expert parody song writers, will entertain Oklahoma Farm Bureau members at the 2014 Annual Meeting in Tulsa on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014.

Greg, Nathan and Kendal Peterson make up the Peterson Farm Brothers trio. The

siblings farm together with their parents near Assaria, Kansas, where they raise beef cattle and grow wheat, corn, alfalfa, milo and soybeans. The three brothers are passionate about promoting agriculture, and they are very creative in the way they do it. The boys are known for their parody song writing skills. The siblings wrote

their first parody, “I’m Farming and I Grow It,” in June of 2012 and became YouTube sensations shortly after.

The Peterson Farm Brothers will entertain members on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. after the annual OKFB banquet. Banquet tickets are $30 and will be available for purchase in the trade show area of the convention center.

Member Benefits

Calendar

Grainger

2014 OKFB Annual Meeting Nov. 14-16 — Tulsa Contact: Melisa Neal (405) 523-2475

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members can now purchase from Grainger and receive a 10 percent discount off the Grainger general catalog “each” price (a few already discounted items excluded).

OKFB highlights a benefit in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OKFB members. You can find a complete list of savings on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau website.

www.okfarmbureau.org/benefits

OKFB Leadership Team Winter Rally Dec. 5-6 — Norman Contact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405 2015 AFBF Convention Jan. 11-14 — San Diego, California Contact: Melisa Neal (405) 523-2475

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Executive Director Monica Wilke 405-523-2303 VP of Public Policy and Media Relations John Collison 405-523-2539 Directors of Corporate Communications Sam Knipp 405-523-2347 Dustin Mielke 405-530-2640 Communications Specialists Karolyn Bolay 405-523-2320 Samantha Smith 405-523-2346

OKFB Convention Schedule Friday, Nov. 14

Saturday, Nov. 15

8 a.m.............................................Credentials Committee Breakfast 9 a.m. ................................................................... Registration Opens 10 a.m................................................YF&R Discussion Meet Round 1 10 a.m................................ YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Judging 10 a.m.....................................................................Trade Show Opens 10:45 a.m......................................... YF&R Discussion Meet Round 2 11:15 a.m.......................................... State Board Meeting/Luncheon 11:30 a.m.............................. Women's Leadership Team Luncheon 11:30 a.m........................... YF&R Discussion Meet Finals Luncheon 12 p.m........................................ YF&R Discussion Meet Final Round 1:30 p.m.....................................................................Opening Session 3:30 p.m. .................................................................Breakout Sessions 4:15 p.m.....................................................Breakout Sessions Repeat 5 p.m.....................................................................OKAgFund Meeting 5 p.m............................................................YF&R Dinner and Caucus 7 p.m.......................................................................... Awards Program 8:30 p.m..................................................................... Ice Cream Social

7:30 a.m................................................................Flapjack Fundraiser 7:30 a.m....................................... Credentials Committee Breakfast 7:30 a.m..............................Financial Review Committee Breakfast 7:30 a.m.......................................Resolutions Committee Breakfast 8 a.m..................................................................... Registration Opens 8 a.m......................................................................Trade Show Opens 8:45 a.m...........................................OFBMIC Policyholders Meeting 9:30 a.m..................................................................... General Session 12 p.m.............................................Credentials Committee Meeting 12:30 p.m.........Women's Leadership Team Gavel Club Luncheon 1:30 p.m............................... District Caucuses (Districts 1, 4 and 7) 2:15 p.m......................................................................General Session 5:30 p.m............................................................OKAgFund Reception 7 p.m...................................Dinner and Awards with Entertainment Featuring the Peterson Farm Brothers*

Sunday, Nov. 16 7:30 a.m................................... County Presidents Breakfast 7:30 a.m...................................... Women's Leadership Team Chairman's Breakfast 7:30 a.m........................................... Breakfast of Champions 9:15 a.m............................... Memorial and Worship Service This schedule is current as of press time. Updated schedules will be posted online at okfarmbureau.org. The final schedule will be distributed at convention.

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* Banquet tickets are $30 and can be purchased in the trade show area.