Perspective Oklahoma Farm Bureau
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Nov. 13, 2015
Monica Wilke, OKFB executive director (middle), and Tyler Norvell, district three YF&R committee member (second from right) receive the Honorary American FFA Degree Oct. 30 at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Joining the honorees are Jack Staats, Oklahoma FFA adviser (far left), Travis Bradshaw, Burlington FFA adviser and Honorary American FFA Degree recipient, and Kent Boggs, Oklahoma FFA executive secretary (far right). Photo courtesy of Ron Hays.
OKFB’s Wilke, Norvell receive Honorary American FFA Degrees onica Wilke, executive director of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Affiliated Companies, received the Honorary American FFA Degree Oct. 30 at the National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. Tyler Norvell, OKFB district three Young Farmers & Ranchers committee member also received the Honorary American FFA Degree. Presented by the National FFA Organization, the award recognizes individuals committed to advancing agricultural education and FFA. It also creates an opportunity to thank those who have made an extraordinary longterm difference in the lives of students,
inspiring confidence in a new generation of agriculturalists. “Agricultural education and FFA played a critical role in developing my own leadership skills, and continue to develop young leaders in agriculture,” Wilke said. “As a former member and long-time supporter, I am humbled to receive this award.” Wilke grew up on a farm in the southwestern Oklahoma town of Grandfield, where she was actively involved in FFA. She served the Oklahoma FFA Association as state FFA secretary during her freshman year at Oklahoma State University. She continues to serve the Oklahoma FFA
Association as a member of the Oklahoma FFA Foundation board of directors. Under Wilke’s direction, Oklahoma Farm Bureau has remained a tremendous supporter of FFA programs including state convention, livestock judging contests, speech contests and more. Norvell, of Tuttle, serves as the executive director of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, which is known as the world’s largest junior livestock show. For more information about the National FFA Organization, visit www.ffa.org.
Farm Bureau women gather in Duncan for 2015 fall rally he Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee hosted its 2015 Fall Rally Oct. 30-31 in Duncan, Oklahoma. Held at the Simmons Center in Duncan, nearly 100 women attended the two-day event featuring various speakers, workshops, entertainment and tours. “It’s always fun and exciting when the women of Farm Bureau gather together,” said Kitty Beavers, OKFB WLC chairman. “The conference gives us all a chance to reconnect, learn and fellowship with our friends from across the state.” During the opening lunch, the women heard from Tricia Howell of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services; Shawna McWaters, head of the OSU-OKC Division of Agriculture Technologies; and Amber Powers, Stephens County 4-H member. Conference workshops featured legislative issues and State Question 777 from John Collision and LeeAnna McNally of OKFB public policy; floral arrangements from a local florist; and prevention of accidental poisoning from the Oklahoma Poison Control Center. After a day full of activities, the women were entertained with a fashion show from 3 French Hens in Duncan and a concert by the Gospel Travelers. On Saturday, the women toured the Duncan area, the Stephens County Historical Museum and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. The conference ended with a chuck wagon lunch at the heritage center.
Top Right: Attendees of the WLC Fall Rally stand together at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center. Bottom right: Women learn to create a flower arrangement during a conference workshop.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online OKFB annual convention on social media It’s time for the 2015 Oklahoma Farm Bureau Annual Meeting! Keep up with all the action by following @okfarmbureau . Attending the annual meeting? Join the conversation by posting photos, information and announcements using #okfb15.
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OKFB and water in Oklahoma Over the past few weeks, Oklahoma Farm Bureau has been featured in several news articles about water in Oklahoma. Make sure to stay in the loop by visiting our Facebook page, where the most recent articles are posted. Also, follow along using #okfb15. Questions? Contact the OKFB Public Policy Division at 405-530-2681.
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau 74th Annual Meeting Schedule Friday, November 13 8 a.m. Credentials Committee Breakfast 9 a.m. Registration Opens 10 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Round 1 10 a.m. Trade Show Opens 10:45 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Round 2 11:15 a.m. State Board Meeting and Luncheon 11:30 a.m. WLC Conference and Luncheon 11:30 a.m. YF&R Discussion Meet Finals Luncheon 1:30 p.m. Opening Session – Awards Program 4:30 p.m. Retirement Reception 5 p.m. OKAgFund Meeting 5 p.m. Commodity Meeting 6 p.m. YF&R Dinner and Caucus
Saturday, November 14
Top: OKFB President Tom Buchanan presents Nov. 2 at the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ interim study on drought and water redistribution from eastern Oklahoma to western Oklahoma. Requested by Rep. Leslie Osborn and Rep. Doug Cox, the study explored possible solutions for developing Oklahoma’s water for the future. JD Strong, executive director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, and Rep. Cox also presented at the study. To hear audio from the study, visit www. okhouse.gov or visit the OKFB Twitter page.
7:30 a.m. Flapjack Fundraiser 7:30 a.m. Credentials, Financial Review, Resolutions Committees Breakfasts 8 a.m. Registration and 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. WLC Gavel Club Luncheon 1:30 p.m. District Caucuses (Districts 2, 5 and 8) 2:15 p.m. General Session 6 p.m. OKAgFund Reception 7 p.m. Dinner and Entertainment featuring Lorrie Morgan
Sunday, November 15 7:30 a.m. County Presidents Breakfast 7:30 a.m. WLC Chairman’s Breakfast 7:30 a.m. Breakfast of Champions 9:15 a.m. Memorial and Worship Service with Susie McEntire *Find the full schedule at www.okfarmbureau.org.
Member Benefits
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Alamo Rent-a-Car
OKFB Annual Meeting Nov. 13-15 Contact: Melisa Neal 405-523-2475
With the holidays approaching, it’s time to make travel plans to visit friends and family. As an OKFB member, save up to 20 percent on Alamo rental cars, plus take advantage of other Alamo coupons. Find all the information you need to use your discount on the Member Benefits page of our website.
YF&R State Committee Meeting Dec. 3-4 Contact: Holly Carroll 405-523-2307
www.okfarmbureau.org/benefits
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Published by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Published Oklahoma Farm Bureau Postmaster:by Send address corrections to: Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332
Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126
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Executive Director Monica Wilke 405-523-2303 VP of Public Policy and Media Relations John Collison 405-523-2539 Director of Corporate Communications Dustin Mielke 405-530-2640 Communications Specialist Hannah Nemecek 405-523-2346
Foundation to build OKFB 75th anniversary commemorative courtyard he Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation will begin selling personalized, engraved brick pavers at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau annual meeting trade show for the OKFB 75th Anniversary Commemorative Courtyard.
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The courtyard will be dedicated during a special event early 2017 in celebration of OKFB’s 75th anniversary. Each order form must be accompanied by a $100 donation to the Foundation. Donations to the Foundation are tax
deductible and used to enhance awareness and understanding of agriculture’s contribution and importance to the state. For more information on the Foundation and its programs, visit www. OkFarmingAndRanchingFoundation.org.