April17 2015web

Perspective Oklahoma Farm Bureau

www.okfarmbureau.org

April 17, 2015

Mayer honored with Governor’s Excellence in Agriculture Award

ormer Oklahoma Farm Bureau board member Joe Mayer received the Governor’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Agriculture April 1 at the state Capitol. Mayer served as the District 1 Director from 1993-2002 on the OKFB board of directors.

“We are so pleased a Farm Bureau member and former director has been honored for his contributions to agriculture,”said Tom Buchanan, president of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “Joe has contributed so much to the agriculture industry, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”

Mayer and his family are actively involved in all aspects of a prosperous grain and cattle business in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

He has been a pioneer in utilizing genetic testing in cattle to improve calving ease, docility, gainability and cutability.

Just as important as his agricultural production skills is his strong commitment to serve his community. Mayer has benefited his home area of Texas County by serving on the Texas County Farm Bureau Board, Texas County Election Board, Texas County Excise and Equalization Board

District 7 Capitol Visit

Former OKFB director Joe Mayer (second from left) receives the Governor’s Excellence in Agriculture Award from Gov. Mary Fallin. Pictured from left to right: Gov. Mary Fallin, Joe Mayer, Gunnar Rice, Kate Christensen, Eric Rice, Margie Rice and Secretary of Agriculture Jim Reese. as well as the Tri-County Electric Cooperative Board.

With his desire to serve his community and the agriculture industry, Mayer also demonstrates the impact an agricultural producer can have on the political front.

He has helped elect political leaders with an interest in helping agriculture and has served on the Oklahoma Agriculture and Stabilization and Conservation Service

and on many other state boards such as the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Mayer is a hardworking, distinguished Oklahoman proud to serve his community, his industry and his country. His many contributions to agriculture and Oklahoma cement a strong foundation to build upon for future generations.

Garvin County Capitol Visit

Pottawatomie County Capitol Visit

The Right to Farm: The time is here for Oklahoma

By John Collison OKFB Vice President of Public Policy and Media Relations s we come into the last few weeks of session, all eyes turned to Oklahoma Farm Bureau and its priority legislation. In the 2015 legislative session, HJR 1012, commonly referred to as Right to Farm, is one of the last major pieces of legislation left standing.

This bill would provide the opportunity for Oklahomans to amend the State Constitution to secure an absolute right to farm and ranch in Oklahoma. For the last three years, this bill has faced an uphill battle and continues to do so this year. We as an organization have never been closer to winning a battle and getting this piece of legislation sent to a vote of the people. This vote by the people would protect Oklahoma farmers and ranchers for decades to come.

Here are the questions I get asked every day, either at the Capitol or on the street: 1) Why do we need the Right to Farm in Oklahoma?

Of course today we have the right to farm and ranch the way God intended it.

I understand today some Oklahomans believe there is not a perceived threat from HSUS or PETA or name your radical religion. Those groups continue to advocate for themeselves — they want control of

farming and ranching operations they know nothing about.

2) I saw a TV commercial telling viewers the Right to Farm is really Right to Harm? Is this true?

As I type this article, west-coast dollars are flowing into Oklahoma advertising. The TV commercials are backed by out of state environmentalists groups who have no legitimate interest in Oklahoma agriculture.

They would like to tell you how you should raise your animals, what you should plant and what food you and your family should have on your dinner plate. These groups think they know what is best for you who live and work on the land. These groups have already passed legislation in Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington banning either some form of crop production or livestock production. Friends, these groups are now in Oklahoma where they have hired environmentalist lawyers and retired politicians to try to convey a message that is simply not true.

Fortunately, this is Oklahoma and we know agriculture — we live it every day.

We’re not easily persuaded by extreme environmentalists from the West. Oklahoma Farm Bureau, as an organization, has been on the forefront protecting agriculture and property rights for years both at the state and national levels. Now is not the time as members to sit back and let outside groups with environmentalist lawyers and — John Collison politicians work against us. If you think they are not here yet or don’t care about Oklahoma agriculture, turn on your TV and ask yourself why HSUS is running ads against the Right to Farm bill.

Maybe it is because they think they know how to care for animals better than you do, but my money is on OKFB members. If you don’t believe what I’m saying just look at legislatures in the West and see what bills they have already passed. My friends, with out this constitutional protection, you’re next.

Call your legislators now and tell them you support the Right to Farm bill to protect Oklahoma agriculture for decades to come.

The other side is working against you.

Fortunately, this is Oklahoma and we know agriculture — we live it every day.

OKFB Congressional Action Tour The annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Congressional Action Tour was held this last week in Washington D.C. Fifty-three OKFB members and staff traveled to our nation’s capital to visit with U.S. congressmen and talk about current issues facing Oklahoma agriculture and rural America. Be sure to look for the next issue of Perspective for more news about the tour.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Congressman Russell wants to boost rural infrastructure U.S. Rep. Steve Russell (OK-5), talks with OKFB’s Sam Knipp about boosting the state’s rural infrastructure. Cong. Russell includes water transportation in the discussion. To listen, visit the Oklahoma Farm Bureau SoundCloud page at soundcloud.com/okfarmbureau.

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Keep up with us on Facebook If you’re looking to keep up with all things OKFB, be sure to like the Oklahoma Farm Bureau page on Facebook. We have daily updates with photos, news articles, sound clips and videos to keep our members up-to-date on the most current issues.

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Cheyenne Simmons Organization and Membership

Zac Swartz Organization and Membership

Sarah Stuart Public Policy

Simmons, Swartz and Stuart join OKFB Federation staff hree new faces have joined the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Federation staff since the beginning of the year.

Cheyenne Simmons and Zac Swartz were hired by the Organization and Membership Department, and Sarah Stuart joined the Public Policy Department, respectively.

Cheyenne Simmons is the new administrative assistant in the Organization and Membership Department. She will oversee the development of statewide membership campaigns, work closely with county leadership to ensure members’ needs are heard and incorporated in departmental outputs, and develop collaborative approaches to increase member growth and retention.

“I’m so proud to work for an organization that invests such a great deal into

advocating for the protection and future success of Oklahoma agriculture,” Simmons said.

Simmons comes to OKFB from Waurika, Oklahoma, in Jefferson County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Oklahoma.

Zac Swartz, a Sulphur, Oklahoma, native, has joined the safety services team in the same department as a safety specialist. He will be involved with the DUI Prevention Program, Fire House Safety Program and the OKFB Commodity Trailer.

“Growing up, I always wanted to find a way to help children, and working at Farm Bureau allows me to do just that,” Swartz said. “I enjoy promoting awareness and safety to children of all ages while teaching about Oklahoma agriculture.”

Swartz graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in general studies.

Sarah Stuart began working at OKFB as the public policy coordinator in March.

She is in charge of running the public policy calendar, scheduling Capitol visits, event planning and ethics reporting.

“I absolutely love my job,” Stuart said.

“I have learned so much in the short time that I have been here, and I look forward to furthering my knowledge in agriculture and public policy.”

Stuart, a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, said she wanted to work for OKFB because of its grassroots system.

“I have met members from several different counties, and I can see their voices are really being heard,” she said.

Member Benefits

Calendar

GM Discount

Deadline for OYLA Registration April 20 — Oklahoma City Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 530-2307

Don’t forget about the $500 GM discount available to OKFB members!

Eligible OKFB members can receive $500 FB Bonus Cash on the qualifying purchase or lease of a new Chevrolet, GMC or Buick vehicle.

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

Farm City Festival April 21 — Oklahoma Capitol Contact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405 YF&R Golf Tournament May 8 — Enid Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 530-2307

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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

STAFF DIRECTORY

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

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 Specialist Samantha Smith 405-523-2346

All Around Oklahoma: Wrapping up with photos

Logan County Farm Bureau member Connie Whitmore was honored at the Capitol as the 2015 Ag in the Classroom Teacher of Year. The OKFB Women’s Leadership Committee presented her with a $360 check to pay for her registration to the National Ag in the Classroom Conference.

Ag Day at the Capitol was held April 1, and we caught up with some of our members at the OKFB booth. Pictured from left to right: David Gammill, Don Schieber, Tom Stephens, Kitty Beavers and Keith Kisling.

Oklahoma City Manager Jim Couch spoke with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Water Committee about transferring water throughout the state.

He said the metro has been transferring water for decades — since the late ‘50s and early ‘60s.

U.S. Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK), speaks to a packed house during a town hall meeting at Seminole State College. Cong. Russell talked about reducing wasteful government spending and improving Oklahoma’s infrastructure, including rural roads, bridges and water transportation.

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