Perspective Oklahoma Farm Bureau
www.okfarmbureau.org
December 26, 2014
Agriculture’s Resolve in 2015 By Bob Stallman, American Farm Bureau President he New Year is upon us, and with it comes a new Congress. The challenges we face, on the other hand, are rather old. It’s time to resolve longstanding policy battles so the business of agriculture can grow in 2015 and beyond. The world’s population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. Feeding them will not be easy. We know data-driven precision ag will help us do that, but we also need to know our business data will remain secure if we hand it to others for analysis and safekeeping. Farm Bureau has led the way in helping farmers and ranchers navigate this new territory. Last fall, we brought together agricultural technology companies and farm groups to hammer out a historic set of data privacy and security principles. The next step means holding companies accountable, so we’re developing a transparency evaluation
tool to help farmers sort through the jargon. Once it’s done, farmers and ranchers will be able to easily compare contracts to see whether and how companies comply with the agreed-upon principles. Biotechnology is key to feeding a growing population, too. Farmers and ranchers know firsthand how beneficial genetically modified products are for consumers and the environment, but pseudoscience and misinformation threaten to drown out the progress we’ve made. Recent attempts to require mandatory labeling have undercut decades of research and development in food and food safety alike. Farmers and ranchers, meanwhile, are redoubling their efforts to help consumers understand how their food is grown and how new technologies keep their food safe and affordable. Confusion has too long ruled the day on this issue: National labeling
standards should be set by the FDA. We are pleased the administration has staked out an ambitious trade agenda. Leaders on both sides of the Atlantic agree that a more open trade partnership makes sense, so it’s time the European Union puts politics aside and eliminates non-scientific barriers to trade. Any successful trade agreement must open restricted markets and encourage fair competition for all. Taxes remain unsettled. While Congress may extend important tax provisions through 2014, we are already headed into 2015 with no guarantee that provisions like Section 179 small-business expensing and bonus depreciation will be available again. Congress needs to make these provisions permanent so farmers and ranchers have the flexibility they need to put their money back to work on their land and in their communities.
A New Year’s challenge By Holly Carroll OKFB Vice President of Field Services he time has come when we begin to reflect on our accomplishments in 2014 and develop goals for the upcoming year. With 11 counties making quota, four National Gold Star Awards and 44 recognition and awards packets completed, we are setting the stage for another big year ahead. As you begin to think about your upcoming year, I would like to set forth a couple challenges to help keep us moving forward in 2015.
Challenge No. 1 — Invite a non-member to one event throughout the year. embership is the lifeblood of our organization, and until we begin to educate those around us that we offer numerous benefits on top of our wonderful insurance, we are missing out on some very talented members of our communities. You would be surprised by how many people say they are not involved with Farm Bureau because they have not been asked. Whether it involves inviting a neighbor to the annual meeting or a friend you have coffee with
at the co-op to a legislative dinner, an invitation can make a huge impression. Maybe there is a young couple who just moved back to the community looking for something to be involved in, or a mother whose child just graduated high school and suddenly has some free time on her calendar. Whomever the person, there is a place for them in the Farm Bureau. If we all gained one new membership this year, think of what a difference we would make in our federation.
Challenge No. 2 — Find a cause and support it. armers and ranchers are the most generous people I have ever met. Not only do we give to other farmers, but we reach far beyond our fence posts when there is a need to be met. We must be diligent in our giving to support agricultural education, not just in the classrooms, but in the communities around us. We not only need to educate students about where their food comes from, but we also need to be educating the adults and consumers about agriculture. Become involved in
one of our many programs advocating for agriculture. Whether it be holding an event at the local grocery store during food check-off week or simply donating to Bushels for Books to help provide teachers with accurate agricultural resources, find something you are passionate about and pursue that in your community. How many of our neighbors have never even been to a working farm? Even in rural Oklahoma, I think that number would surprise you. Getting involved is a great way to make a lasting impact by sharing our story and at the same time showing what an organization like OKFB can do when everyone pulls together. Pick some sweet potatoes, serve legislators at the Capitol, donate a bushel of grain or some beef, drop off some canned food at the drive — whatever you choose, however big or small, can truly make a difference. New years present new opportunities. Remember that as you set new goals for the upcoming year. Include OKFB, and strive to make our organization better in 2015 than ever before. Thank you for a successful year and allowing us to serve you.
All American Beef Battalion donations set record For our Dec. 15 edition of All Around Oklahoma Agriculture, Sam Knipp visited the OKC stockyards where a record amount of money was raised for the All American Beef Battalion. The annual auction raised more than $61,000 this year to help support the organization’s efforts to feed steaks to U.S. troops. In the past five years, they have served more than 250,000 steaks! To listen, go to soundcloud.com/okfarmbureau.
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online OKFB members stop by Tulsa Farm Show The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Facebook page is always looking for ways to showcase member involvement at events across the state. This past week, we featured photos of members who stopped by the OKFB booth at the Tulsa Farm Show. Next time you see us at an event, be sure to stop by and say hi!
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Pin your favorites with OKFB Follow the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Pinterest account to see some of our favorite recipes, farm facts, photos and many other pins. If you see something you like, be sure to re-pin it so you can have it on your board as well!
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Statement regarding Attorney General Scott Pruitt from Tom Buchanan, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President We have seen and heard much talk in the media lately about our Attorney General Scott Pruitt. The talking heads would like for you to believe that industry in the state of Oklahoma has bought and paid off our AG. Nothing could be further from the truth. We at Oklahoma Farm Bureau would like to set the record straight. AG Pruitt and Oklahoma Farm Bureau have worked closely and tirelessly over the past few years to make sure our membership has been protected from over regulation, whether from the EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or even private environmental groups such as HSUS. All of these groups have tried and continue to try to have a major impact on how we farm and ranch here in the state. Make no mistake, not just these groups but many others have come after our very way of life. One person and one office has shown the courage it takes to stand up to such out-of-state interest, and that person is AG Scott Pruitt. While many from across our state’s borders want to criticize the AG for standing up for personal property rights and our way of living, we at Oklahoma Farm Bureau want to commend AG Pruitt and tell him to keep up the fight! As the state’s voice for agriculture, Oklahoma Farm Bureau stands with our attorney general and will keep fighting for our members’ right to farm and ranch in Oklahoma.
Congress votes to extend tax breaks through 2014 By Stephen Ohlemacher, Associated Press anks, retailers, commuters and teachers will keep their temporary tax breaks for another year after Congress gave final approval Tuesday to a massive tax package affecting millions of businesses and individuals. The last-minute bill would extend the expired tax breaks through the end of the year, enabling taxpayers to claim them on their 2014 tax returns. Beyond this year, their fate will once again be uncertain. The package now goes to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it. It would add nearly $42 billion to the budget deficit over the next decade, according to congressional estimates. The 54 tax breaks benefit big corporations and small businesses, as well
as struggling homeowners and people who live in states without state income tax. More narrow provisions include tax breaks for filmmakers, racehorse owners and rum producers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Senate voted 76-16 to approve the package Tuesday evening as lawmakers rushed to finish their work before heading home for the holidays. The House passed the bill earlier this month. Lawmakers from both political parties said they are disappointed they were unable to extend the tax breaks beyond the 2014 year. “This package of incentives — which applies only to 2014 — will last two more weeks before families and businesses will
be thrown back into the dark about what taxes they owe,” said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. “This tax bill doesn’t have the shelf life of a carton of eggs.” Congress routinely extends the package of tax breaks every year or two, but they were allowed to expire in January. Technically, the bill is a one-year, retroactive extension of the tax breaks, even though it only lasts through the end of the month. “This bill represents the worst habits in Washington,” said Sen Tom Coburn, R-Okla. “Politicians in a lame duck, end-ofthe-year session, passing out goodies
(Tax breaks, continued on page 4)
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2015 AFBF Convention Jan. 11-14 — San Diego, California Contact: Melisa Neal (405) 523-2475
Book a trip now to one of Great Wolf Lodge’s fantastic water park resorts and receive 20% off as an Oklahoma Farm Bureau member. Use the code OKFB105A when making reservations, and make your own getaway. 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.
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Oklahoma Legislature Convenes Feb. 2 — Oklahoma City Contact: John Collison (405) 523-2539 OKFB Leadership Conference Feb. 16-17 — Oklahoma City Contact: Sara Rogers (405) 523-2681
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(Tax breaks, continued from page 3) to well-connected industries instead of lowering tax rates for all Americans.” Business groups have complained for years that the patchwork of temporary tax breaks makes it difficult for them to plan. Still, in a letter to senators, the National Association of Manufacturers supported the bill because it would “prevent immediate tax increases on thousands of manufacturers that benefit from these temporary provisions.” House Republicans and Senate Democrats negotiated to make some of the tax breaks permanent. But talks faltered after the White House threatened to veto
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an emerging package, saying it too heavily favored big corporations over families. House Republicans responded by passing a one-year bill, figuring they will have more influence over the package next year when Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate. “My only hope is that in the new Congress we can make strides toward putting some certainty back in the tax code,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Among the biggest breaks for businesses are a tax credit for research and development, an exemption that allows financial companies such as banks and
investment firms to shield foreign profits from being taxed by the U.S., and several provisions that allow businesses to write off capital investments more quickly. There is also a generous tax credit for using wind farms and other renewable energy sources to produce electricity. The biggest tax break for individuals allows people who live in states without an income tax to deduct state and local sales taxes on their federal returns. Another protects struggling homeowners who get their mortgages reduced from paying income taxes on the amount of debt that was forgiven.