Aug8 2014web

Perspective OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

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AUGUST 8, 2014

August Area Meetings look to begin policymaking process

By John Collison Oklahoma Farm Bureau VP of Public Policy and Media Relations know it’s hard to tell by the weather we have been having, but yes, it is August.

When it is August in Oklahoma that can only mean one thing: it is time for your August Area Meetings. The public policy department will begin and travel for the next few weeks to the nine different districts representing Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

You might ask yourself what would possess a bunch of folks to jump into a pickup and drive all over the state when the temperatures are what we expect in late summer, but there’s no need to ask any longer. We are coming to see you and listen and talk about issues facing you and our organization as a whole right here in the state.

When we talk about grassroots in the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, you have to imagine roots that run as deep as an old oak tree. We get to visit with members whose membership numbers are in the single digits and also those who joined last month but joined because they wanted to be part of a winning organization that makes things happen in Oklahoma City and Washington D.C. Your public policy team along with

your organizational leadership and others will be coming to listen to you and see just what is on your mind.

We have plenty of issues for you to start thinking about if you have not come up with any yet. We need to continue our discussion on how we utilize our water assets in this state, and wind power and transmission — John Collison lines remain huge topics as well. We also need to look at Right to Farm and how far we as an organization want to take that issue.

On the federal level, Waters of the U.S. and the EPA never seem far from our backyard. We saw last year that tax credits and how they are issued by the state will be a giant issue we face in the future. I would also like to talk directly to you about political races and how the game is changing.

We only have an hour and a half at each meeting and that time goes by quickly. I hope all of you will attend and come ready to work. As we saw last year, both in D.C. and Oklahoma, we are the state’s voice for agriculture, and that is because people like you participate. We look forward to seeing you down the road.

We are the state’s voice for agriculture, and that is because people like you participate.

August Area Meetings District 1 Aug. 14 • 6:30 p.m.

Big Dan’s Steakhouse in Woodward District 2 Aug. 21 • 12 p.m.

Kiowa County Farm Bureau Office in Hobart District 3 Aug. 12 • 6:30 p.m.

Canadian County Farm Bureau Office in El Reno District 4 Aug. 22 • 12 p.m.

Casa Roma in Ardmore District 5 Aug. 19 • 12 p.m.

Pete’s Place in Krebs District 6 Aug. 18 • 11 a.m.

JL’s Barbecue in Pryor District 7 Aug. 18 • 6:30 p.m.

Garfield County Fairgrounds in Enid District 8 Aug. 19 • 6:30 p.m.

Aldridge Hotel in Ada District 9 Aug. 21 • 6:30 p.m.

Creek County Fairgrounds in Kellyville

2014 Canola College Major County Farm Bureau member Matt Gard, center, visits with Mike Stamm, Kansas State University associate agronomist and canola breeder, left, and Mike Thralls, executive director, Oklahoma Conservation Commission, right, during the 10th annual Oklahoma-Kansas Winter Canola Conference in Enid, Tuesday, July 29. Despite the many difficulties producers had this year with canola fields hit by drought, freeze, and rain-delayed harvest, they remain optimistic the crop is a good fit for the southern High Plains.

Two-day Farm Transition Workshop to take place in Stillwater n intensive two-day workshop will take place on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater Aug. 15-16. The workshop is intentionally geared toward farmers and ranchers interested in learning how to develop and implement a successful farm transition.

Following a successful series of five oneday workshops held throughout Oklahoma in March and April, the two-day event will include indepth coverage of business and personal goal-setting, financial analysis, human resources, family communications, estate planning, estate taxes and retirement planning. Expert panels featuring attorneys, tax professionals and mediators also will be available to help families who choose to have their first transition meeting at the event.

“Our first workshop series focused on helping participants ask the right questions about the future of their farms,” said Shannon Ferrell, associate professor of

agricultural economics at OSU. “This twoday event will help participants take serious steps forward in their planning process, and will give them a chance to have ‘the talk’ with their families about how to move forward.”

The workshop series is hosted by Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service with funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency through the Southern Risk Management Education Center. The workshops also — Shannon Ferrell are sponsored

by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation.

The cost for attendees is $50 for a family of four. Additional registrations are $10 per person. Registration covers all materials and programs, with lunch and breaks on both days provided by the Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma.

To register, call Kareta Casey at 405-7449836, or contact her via email at kareta.casey@okstate.edu.

This two-day event will help participants take serious steps foward in their planning process.

Jeramy Rich, president of the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation, leads the group’s bi-annual meeting at the home office on July 24, 2014. The foundation was formed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit to enhance awareness and understanding of agriculture’s contribution and importance to the state of Oklahoma. From promoting and assisting beginning farmers and ranchers to educating youth interested in agricultural pursuits, the foundation creates agricultural awareness. You can read more about the foundation and their efforts in the summer issue of Oklahoma Country, available online now.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Ag-First: Wet and cool headed your way!

OKFB’s Sam Knipp interviews climatologist Evelyn Browning Garriss who says the next several months could be wetter and cooler than normal, depending on the water temperature in the Pacific. She said if the rains last until spring, it could mean the end of the drought for Oklahoma.

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Facebook: Like the OKFB page to stay updated Be sure to like the Oklahoma Farm Bureau page on Facebook for details about OKFB member involvement, agricultural news and member benefits. Stay up to date on OKFB events and connect with other Farm Bureau members across the state on our most popular social media outlet.

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OKFB Women’s Leadership Team member Margaret Ann Kinder talks with attendees at the Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom Summer Conference about the Grown For You commodity trailer and how it is bringing agricultural literacy to elementary schools across the state.

Award application deadlines are approaching Aug. 15 State Farm Family of the Year Oct. 1 YF&R Excellence in Agriculture, YF&R Achievement Oct. 10 Other Awards Applications available at www.okfarmbureau.org.

Jackson County Farm Bureau members Brent Howard, left, and Bob Howard visit with Todd Honer, OKFB director of commodities, at the OKFB booth during the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association convention July 25.

Oklahoma Country summer issue is online he summer edition of Oklahoma Country is now available for online viewing.

This digital-only edition of the magazine allows readers to easily share stories and content via email or social media and includes interactive links and content.

This issue includes an in-depth look at OKFB’s YF&R program, a feature story about OKFB’s support of Shelter Oklahoma Schools and insight into the recent proposed EPA regulations concerning the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.

The magazine also includes the familiar Presidentially Speaking, Insurance Matters and Country Gardening columns, and the popular All Around Oklahoma section.

Be sure to check the OKFB social media sites for a link to view the summer issue.

As always, digital issues are archived on the OKFB website for viewing at any time.

Go to www.okfarmbureau.org and follow the “Publications” link to browse through current and past issues.

Member Benefits

Calendar

Polaris Industries, Inc.

State Farm Family of the Year Application Due Aug. 15 — Statewide Contact: Marcia Irvin (405) 523-2405

OKFB members will receive the following options: $300 off full-size utility and sport vehicles, $300 off GEM electric vehicles and $200 off full-size all-terrain vehicles.

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

August Area Meetings Aug. 12-22 — Statewide Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 523-2307 YF&R Award Applications Due Oct. 1 — Statewide Contact: Holly Carroll (405) 523-2307

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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

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

STAFF StaffDIRECTORY Directory

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

Farm Bureau members act on EPA overreach, immigration verreach by the EPA and immigration are sure to top the agenda as Farm Bureau members prepare for serious discussions with members of Congress now in their home districts.

With midterm elections just around the corner, farmers are taking this prime opportunity to share stories of how regulations like the EPA’s latest Waters of the U.S. rule and immigration reform directly affect their livelihood.

“Congress needs to hear from America’s farmers,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “Environmental over-regulation and unworkable immigration rules are serious threats to Ameri-

can agriculture. We need action sooner than later on both of these issues.”

Thanks to our grassroots effort, Farm Bureau members have been spreading the word on the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule, which would expand the federal government’s reach to — Bob Stallman previously unregulated land and expose farmers to fines and penalties for normal farming activities.

Twelve thousand Farm Bureau members have already submitted comments to the EPA in opposition to the rule. With more than 205,000 comments submitted to the EPA’s public docket, it’s time for Congress

Congress needs to hear from America’s farmers. Environmental over-regulation and unworkable immigration rules are serious threats to American agriculture.

We need action sooner than later on both of these issues.

to listen up and take action to stop the EPA before it’s too late.

Agricultural labor reform is essential to helping American farms thrive. Farm Bureau recently redoubled its efforts to raise awareness of agriculture’s need for immigration reform by joining with the Partnership for a New American Economy on a new digital ad campaign. Videos, infographics and #IFarmImmigration tweets tell stories of how a broken immigration system is hurting farmers like Bernie Thiel, who had to destroy some of his crops for two years in a row when he was unable to find the workers he needed to harvest.

“A farmer should never have to destroy a crop due to the lack of an adequate labor force,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said. “If that situation doesn’t illustrate the clear need for agricultural labor reform, I’m not sure what will.”

Oklahoma attorney general subpoenas HSUS n March, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced that his office was opening an inquiry into the fundraising of the Humane Society of the United States, issuing a “consumer alert” to the public about national animal charities.

Speaking to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau audio feature “All Around Oklahoma Ag,” Pruitt offered an update of his office’s

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investigation of HSUS. Pruitt stated that his office has recently issued subpoenas to HSUS in light of the $25 million settlement that major HSUS contractor and direct-mail firm Quadriga Art agreed to with the New York Attorney General earlier this month.

To hear the full audio feature, visit www.okfarmbureau.org and follow the SoundCloud link.

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