Journal1202

All-Around Service

®

All Around Oklahoma

journal Oklahoma Farm Bureau

Volume 54 No. 8

(ISSN 1091-921X)

December 2002

Delegates okay political action fund Delegates to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau annual meeting paved the way to strengthen the state’s largest and most influential agricultural organization by approving the establishment of a political action fund.

The action was one of many policy recommendations adopted by delegates to the 61st annual meeting at Oklahoma City’s Cox Convention Center Nov. 9-11.

Approval of the political action fund will allow the organization to help elect and support legislators who are responsive to and advocates for the needs of agriculture and rural Oklahoma.

“Shrinking rural populations combined with legislative term limits have set the stage for possible erosion of the farm vote,” said OFB President Steve Kouplen.

The newly approved OK Ag Fund will be completely voluntary, and controlled by county Farm Bureau leaders. Recommendations regarding the candidates to back financially will originate at the grassroots county level, paralleling Farm Bureau’s policy development process.

“We believe with the establishment of this fund that Farm Bureau can become one of the strongest advocates in the political process in Oklahoma,” said Jeramy Rich, OFB public policy director. “Our members have decided to make the organization proactive in the process and to financially assist candidates they believe will make the best interests of agriculture and rural Oklahoma top priorities.”

The nearly 1,000 attending the convention also helped financially strengthen the Oklahoma Agricultural Legal Foundation, a non-profit group organized by Farm Bureau in 2001 to support the legal rights of farmers and ranchers and rural Oklahoma. A fund-raiser held during the convention netted about $1,000 for the coffers of OALF. The delegates adopted a bylaw change for the organization, defining when terms of office for state directors begin and end.

Delegates addressed several other areas critical for agriculture and rural Oklahoma during policymaking sessions.

Prompted by the proposed sale of water to Texas and the establishment of a water compact during the last legislative session, policy was adopted putting the 144,000-plus member family organization in support of in-depth studies before selling water out of state.

The policy calls for protecting residents and producers by recommending a 100-year needs study be made before water is declared excess.

Addressing other water concerns, delegates approved policy opposing state efforts to control “waters of the state.”

“We believe with the establishment of this fund that Farm Bureau can become one of the strongest advocates in the political process in Oklahoma.”

- - Jeramy Rich, OFB public policy director

61st Annual Meeting • At-A-Glance •

Alfalfa County makes hay Alfalfa County Farm Bureau was recognized as the top county Farm Bureau in Oklahoma during the annual meeting.

Not only did the county take home the John I. Taylor OFB President Steve Kou- Award -- the highplen presents Alfalfa County est county recogniPresident Ryan Pjesky with tion presented by one of the top county awards. OFB -- it also walked away with the second most prestigious honor, the Lewis H. Munn Award.

The Taylor Award is based on a county’s attainment of quota and excellence in the program areas of planning, policy development, policy execution, information and public relations, service to members, local affairs, political education, Women’s and YF&R activities, and safety.

It was the fourth consecutive year the county won the Taylor Award, and the second time the county has swept both top honors. It took home both top awards before in 1997.

The county conducted the strongest local affairs program during 2002 to earn the Munn Award.

Discussion Meet champ

Joe Mayer, left, and OFB President Steve Kouplen lead a resolution session at convention.

Policy was adopted calling for the exclusion on both the state and national levels. of privately held waters, such as farm ponds, from Responding to the plight of farmers and ranchers the control and regulation of the state. Similar in much western Oklahoma due to the worst drought policy also was adopted opposing federal in history, policy was adopted supporting federal regulation of non-navigable waters. drought assistance for the 2001 and 2002 crop years.

“Our members strongly want to exclude OFB will push for adoption of that policy by isolated wetlands, farm ponds and other privately American Farm Bureau on the national level. held water from control and regulation by the The business session also included the election state. They do not want those types to be of three OFB state directors. considered waters of the state,” explained Rich.

Ervin Mitchell of Balko was the selection of A policy recommendation delegates adopted district one members to be their new director. also opposes tribal sovereignty taking precedence Mitchell succeeds Guymon’s Joe Mayer, who over private property rights, including water. served the maximum number of terms allowable Backing also was given to legislation prohibiting under organizational bylaws. tribes from setting water quality standards more Mitchell won a three-year term to represent stringent than state or federal regulations as well members in the panhandle and extreme northwestern as overturning tribal treatment as a state for the Oklahoma. He runs a 4,000-acre operation with purpose of setting water quality standards. dryland and irrigated wheat, milo, alfalfa and A strong stance was taken against state corn in addition to stockers and a cow-calf herd. agencies making rules.

Mitchell has been a Farm Bureau member since “Our members do not want bureaucrats making 1950, and has served four years on the Beaver laws without those laws first being approved by County Farm Bureau board of directors and served the Oklahoma Legislature,” said Rich. “They one term as county president. He has served 18 years want reforms made legislatively to give state on the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, three agencies enforcement responsibilities, not law- years as president of the Oklahoma Association of making authority.”

Conservation Districts, one term as president of the The delegates, addressing a top concern of Oklahoma Association of School Boards and 15 farmers and ranchers and the self-employed, called years on his local school board. for reform of health insurance pointing at its He and his wife, Emma, were OFB’s Farm (Women, Page 2) “unaffordable cost.” They recommended reforms

C a n a d i a n County’s Audrey Harmon talked her way to a title at the annual meeting.

She topped the field during the YF&R Discussion Meet to earn the state title, and will represent Oklahoma at the AFBF contest in January. As the winner of the Oklahoma contest, she received the use of a new Dodge pickup for a year, and an expense-paid trip to Tampa, Fla., for the national Discussion Meet contest.

Thank you Clifton Scott Auditor and Inspector Clifton Scott was honored for his 20 years of service as the state’s chief watch dog by Oklahoma Farm Bureau during the annual meeting. The Tecumseh Democrat fought many battles on behalf of ad valorem taxpayers during his tenure. He is retiring at the end of his term.

That Burns Flashpoint duo Mike Turpin, left, and B u r n s Hargis traded barbs during their appearance at the annual meeting. Mike burned Burns for being a no show (he fell asleep) at last year’s convention.

Bellmon, VonTungeln are honored for distinguished service Oklahoma Farm Bureau honored two wellknown Oklahomans during its 61st annual meeting Nov. 10 in Oklahoma City with Distinguished Service Awards.

The pair of awards is designed to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to Oklahoma agriculture and to Farm Bureau.

Oklahoma statesman Henry Bellmon and longtime Farm Bureau leader Henry Jo VonTungeln were honored in special ceremonies before the convention body.

Bellmon was presented with the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Agriculture Award while VonTungeln received the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award.

The 80-year-old Bellmon, Oklahoma’s first Republican governor and a two-term U.S. Senator, was a charter member and the first president of Noble County Farm Bureau. The warrior-turnedfarmer helped organize the county after returning from a tour of duty in World War II with the Marines, where he won a Silver Star on Iwo Jima.

Oklahoma’s elder statesman remains involved in public service today as director of the Oklahoma Alliance for Public Policy Research on the campus of Oklahoma State University, where he earned his college degree. He also is the first OSU alum to be governor of Oklahoma and remains involved in agriculture today, managing 1,800 acres of farmland with wheat and cattle.

In recent years, Bellmon has been a professor and lecturer at Oklahoma City University, the University of Central Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

Following his service in the Marines, he pursued a career in politics and was elected a state representative, Noble County Republican chairman, state chairman of the Republican Party, governor in 1963 and then U.S. Senator.

When he returned to his farm after his first term as governor, Bellmon mounted a successful campaign for U.S. Senate and served 12 years in Washington and was a member of the powerful Agriculture, Budget, Appropriations

Steve Kouplen and Henry Bellmon.

Steve Kouplen and Henry Jo VonTungeln.

and Energy Committees.

While serving in the Senate, Bellmon developed the concept of target pricing for commodities and was instrumental in writing two farm bills. He helped achieve his long-term goal of moving farm policy from one of strict government control to a flexible, market-driven program similar to today’s.

He was a strong advocate of voluntary conservation and a leading advocate to create and maintain a government funded non-point source management program at the conservation commission. Bellmon also helped change the wheat grading system.

Bellmon’s two terms as governor of Oklahoma were marked by integrity and governmental reform – as evidenced by the progress made in education, mental health and agriculture.

He was elected to his second term as governor in 1986, walking into a highly partisan financial quagmire. The state faced $350 million in revenue shortfalls and stood to lose some $200 million in federal highway matching funds unless Bellmon pushed through the state’s largest-ever tax increase. After a long, difficult fight a fiscal catastrophe was averted. Then came school reform and a nine-month struggle resulting in the passage of the $223 million Education Reform and Funding Act, commonly known as House Bill 1017.

That bill was the most sweeping reform in state history and was one of the most aggressive reforms in the country at the time. Oklahoma became the first state to require fewer students per class and still leads the nation in class size reductions.

Before its passage, it wasn’t uncommon to find 35 to 40 students in elementary classrooms. The act required class size to drop to 20. It also raised average teacher salaries by $6,000, and the minimum rose nearly $10,000 over five years. It also instituted kindergarten and state academic standards.

“Henry Bellmon was always known for his immediate responsiveness to agricultural issues and the needs of farmers and ranchers,” said OFB Director Mike Spradling, introducing the 2002 Distinguished Service Winner.

When 71-year-old Henry Jo VonTungeln commits to something, he stays with it. He joined Farm Bureau years ago and has been a leader in his county and on the state level since.

The Calumet farmer, who represents the fifth generation of his family to till the soil in Canadian County, has 60 years invested in agriculture and 52 years invested in Farm Bureau.

His first involvement with Farm Bureau was with Junior Farm Bureau, now known as the Young Farmers and Ranchers. He served two years as state president of that group before being elected president

of the Canadian County Farm Bureau – a post he has held for the past 46 years. VonTungeln also has completed seven years on the OFB board of directors, where he has served as secretary and treasurer.

He also serves on American Farm Bureau’s U.S.-Canada Trade Relations Committee. In addition, VonTungeln serves on the board of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, where he has been both vice chairman and chairman during his tenure. He also has served on U.S. Wheat Associates, and made several trade missions to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, Israel, Mexico and Canada.

In addition to his travels, he and his wife, Donna, have opened their home to hundreds of trade delegations, politicians and state leaders, and Farm Bureau leaders and staff in efforts to promote agriculture.

VonTungeln’s efforts on behalf of his industry have not gone unnoticed. He has been named a Master Agronomist by Oklahoma State University, the Progressive Farmer Man of the Year in Oklahoma Agriculture, the Distinguished Citizen by the Oklahoma Legislature, the Staff of Life Award winner by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and most recently was inducted into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Lt. Gov. Marry Fallin has described VonTungeln as the “most well known ambassador of agriculture in the state.”

The VonTungeln family is well known for culinary skills that they use regularly to promote wheat. Each year, they use over six tons of wheat flour to bake bread products for trade shows, dignitaries, fairs and civic events.

An active civic and church leader, VonTungeln initiated plans to create the Hesston Rural Water System and has served as his church’s chairman of the board and Sunday school superintendent for the past 25 years.

“Whenever you smell the wonderful aroma of fresh baked bread, you know that Henry Jo VonTungeln is not far away,” said Spradling as he introduced the 2002 winner.

Women elect Clara Wichert chairman, pick Judy Anglin as new member (Continued from Page 1) Family of the Year in 1983. The couple has three sons, David, who is an accountant; Doug, who farms with his father; and Dale, who is a farmer.

Mrs. Mitchell serves as secretary of the Beaver County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.

Mitchell has been Sunday school superintendent of his church for 25 years and served nine years on his church board.

Davis farmer-rancher Bob Drake was elected to his first term on the state board to represent district four members. Drake was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board created by a resignation earlier in the year, and won a three-year term during the district caucus.

Scott Dvorak, a farmer-rancher from Perry, was given his third stint on the board by the district seven caucus. He represents Farm Bureau members in north central Oklahoma on the state board.

The state Farm Bureau Women’s Committee voting delegates picked a new chairman during the convention. Clara Wichert of Fairview successfully challenged incumbent Beverly

Ervin Mitchell

Clara Wichert

Delmedico of Muskogee to earn her first twoyear term as state chairman.

Mrs. Wichert has served on the state committee since winning a district post in 1996, and has been elected by fellow committee members as vice chairman. Mrs. Delmedico had served as chairman since 1998.

Enid’s Judy Anglin was elected to the district seven post on the committee to succeed Mrs. Wichert. Mrs. Anglin has served on the Garfield

2 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • December 2002

Judy Anglin

County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee for 12 years and has been the chairman for nine years.

She serves with the local Habitat for Humanity and Enid’s Hope Outreach, a ministry program.

She and her husband, J Elmer, who serves on the Garfield County Farm Bureau board of directors, have a cow-calf operation and also grow wheat and some hay.

FBW delegates re-elected Nancy Bennett of Beaver to the district one post and Georgia Doye

of Lawton to the district four office.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee has several new faces after district caucuses were held Nov. 10.

New state YF&R Committee members are Chuck and Francie Tolle, chairmen; Tim Bartram, vice chairman; Dan and Cyndi Mackey, secretary; Lee and Tracy Vanderwork, district one; Matt and Kellie Muller, district two; Keith Prater, district four; David and Lisa Smith, district eight; Chad and Danielle Budy, at large; Monte and Danielle Tucker, at large; and Audrey and Burton Harmon, at large.

The convention also selected OFB’s delegates to the January 2003 AFBF annual meeting in Tampa, Fla. In addition to Kouplen, the delegates are Nancy Bennett, Beaver County; Bob Drake, Murray County; Scott Dvorak, Noble County; Bill Gibson, Pontotoc County; Lolita Leslie, Woods County; Joe Mayer, Texas County; Stanley Miller, Garvin County; Curt Roberts, Oklahoma County; and Chuck Tolle, Grant County. David Gammill, Cotton County, and Roland Pederson, Alfalfa County, were elected as alternates.

Alfalfa County couple wins Farm Family of the Year award Alfalfa County’s Kenneth and Carolyn Fellers were named Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year Nov. 10 at the 61st annual meeting.

A panel of judges selected the Byron family from 17 entries in the annual contest, which honors the farm family who best represents farming and

Beverly Delmedico, left, presents the Farm Family Award to the Carolyn and Kenneth Fellers.

ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture.

They received use of a new Dodge pickup for a year, an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation meeting in Tampa, Fla., and other gifts in recognition of their accomplishments.

The couple has two adult children, Dr. John Fellers and Karen Howell.

Kenneth has dedicated a lifetime to farming, growing up on a family farm homesteaded by his great grandfather. Carolyn has been involved ever since the couple was married, some 39 years ago.

“We will always be and always have been a part of the land,” said the 2002 winners. “We are farmers – a choice that we are glad that we made.”

The operation Kenneth grew up on was a dairy with wheat, corn and alfalfa crops as well as a cowcalf and feeder operation. When he finished college, he returned to the farm and entered into a partnership with his father. The operation grew with leased land.

The dairy was sold in 1978 and the beef business was expanded with the addition of two feedlots.

Today, the family cooperation owns 4,600 acres.

Some 3,000 acres are cropland for wheat, alfalfa, Bermuda hay and sorghum. Two pivot systems are used to irrigate feed crops. Native and improved pastures make up the balance of the operation, which runs a 160-head cow herd and runs about 1,200 feeders on wheat pasture and summer grass.

“We have reached our goals of owning the land, maintaining a low debt-to-income ratio in the overall profitability of the operation,” they said. To accomplish that goal, they have maintained profitability and increased their equity

by increasing labor efficiency and being vigilant in maintaining their equipment.

Kenneth serves as president of the family farm corporation, managing the entire operation including marketing crops and livestock and providing much of the labor involved in the farm work. Carolyn serves as the bookkeeper for the farm.

Both are long-time Farm Bureau members.

He has served on the county’s resolutions committee and she has been active on the county’s Women Committee.

Kenneth and Carolyn have been honored as Honorary Chapter Farmers by the local FFA. He has served several years on the fair board and is a past member on the local cooperative board. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors for a local bank.

Carolyn is president of the local FFA Mother’s Club, the music director at her church and serves on the board of trustees for the Oklahoma Homes for Children.

“Farming for us is not a job or occupation, but a way of life,” said the 2002 winning couple, “one that keeps changing and evolving, but at the same time remaining constant in that the farm will always require hard work and careful management of time and money.

“We have always tried to be careful stewards of the gifts and responsibilities the Lord has given us.

There is no greater place on earth to see nature at work, enjoys the results of your labor or to raise a family. We are proud to be the provider of food for many and a sure and steady part of humanity.”

December 2002 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • 3

Jackson County’s Keeff Felty wins Achievement Award Jackson County’s Keeff Felty was named Oklahoma Farm Bureau YF&R Achievement Award winner Nov. 10 at the 61st annual meeting in Oklahoma City.

The Achievement Award honors the state’s top young farmer or farm family. 000416903 He received an expense-paid trip to the 2003 American Farm Bureau convention in Tampa, Fla., to represent Oklahoma in the national contest.

As the state winner, Felty received a year’s use of a Dodge pickup and the use of a Kubota tractor.

$

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The 35-year-old has been in farming and ranching for 17 years. He is the fourth generation of his family to farm in the area. He now is involved with the operation of some 4,295 acres in a corporate family partnership and individual operation. He is a partner with his grandmother and stepmother in Felty Farms, but is the sole stockholder in K.D. Cotton Farms.

The operation is located in Jackson County and features both dryland and irrigated cotton along with wheat and wheat hay production. A 54-head cattle herd also is maintained.

In the farming partnership, Felty is responsible for making decisions regarding all areas including banking, management,

personnel, marketing, planting, harvesting and participation in government programs. He also engages in various custom farming operations, such as plowing, planting and field preparation.

In addition, he operates a custom cotton module hauling business during cotton harvest.

Felty says the biggest change on the operation has been the use of computers for bookkeeping, allowing the farm to maintain a better handle on the financial health of the business.

“The future holds many interesting and exciting challenges. It is my plan to continue to improve and adopt new technologies and practices that will increase my ability to have a profitable operation, to remain competitive and continue to grow.”

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL Published in February, March, April, June, August, October, November and December by Oklahoma Farm Bureau, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126, Telephone 405523-2300.

Subscription rates $1 per year for members as part of dues, $5 for non-members.

Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Oklahoma Farm Bureau JOURNAL, 2501 N. Stiles, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126.

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OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU POLICY FOR 2003

The policies appearing in this book are considered the current policies of Oklahoma Farm Bureau. They represent the policies adopted by the delegate body at the three past annual meetings, indicated by the index code following each policy statement.

The policy statements in this book will expire at the end of the state convention in the coming three years, in the following sequence: statements with an index code from 200 to the end of the book in 2004; those from 0 to 99 in 2005; and those with an index code from 100 to 199 in 2003. Expiring policies may be reaffirmed by the delegate body for an additional three years, and the state board of directors is also authorized to reinstate any lapsed policy in future years if the then current book contains no appropriate statement on a given subject. If such action is taken, the board shall report the same to the delegate body at the next annual meeting.

PURPOSE OF FARM BUREAU ................................................................. 10 Farm Bureau is an independent, non-governmental voluntary organization of farm and ranch families united for the purpose of analyzing their problems and formulating action to achieve educational improvement, economic opportunity and social advancement and, thereby, to promote the national well-being. Farm Bureau is local, county, state, national and international in its scope and influence and is non-partisan, non-sectarian and nonsecret in character. Farm Bureau is the voice of agricultural producers at all levels.

FARM BUREAU BELIEFS .......................................................................... 20 America’s unparalleled progress is based on freedom and dignity of the individual, sustained by basic moral and religious concepts.

Economic progress, cultural advancement, ethical and religious principles flourish best where people are free, responsible individuals.

Individual freedom and opportunity must not be sacrificed in a quest for guaranteed “security.”

We believe in government by legislative and constitutional law, impartially administered, without special privilege.

We believe in the representative form of government . . .a republic . . .as provided in our Constitution, in limitations on government power, in maintenance of equal opportunity, in the right of each individual to freedom of worship and in freedom of speech, press and peaceful assembly.

Individuals have a moral responsibility to help preserve freedom for future generations by participating in public affairs and by helping to elect candidates who share their fundamental beliefs and principles.

People have the right and the responsibility to speak for themselves individually or through organizations of their choice without coercion or government intervention .

Property rights are among the human rights essential to the preservation of individual freedom.

We believe in the right of every person to choose an occupation; to be rewarded according to his contribution to society; to save, invest or spend; and to convey his property to heirs. Each person has the responsibility to meet financial obligations incurred.

We believe that legislation and regulations favorable to all sectors of agriculture should be aggressively developed in cooperation with allied groups possessing common goals.

We support the right of private organizations to require membership as a prerequisite for members services.

AGRIBUSINESS/MARKETING/MARKETS ............................................... 30 Bankruptcy—Livestock producers should be protected against livestock market bankruptcy or default, by requiring livestock markets and order buyers to purchase flexible bonds that cover even the largest sale of the year. This could be done by bond companies auditing sales volume for the past year and collecting supplemental premium if necessary.

Bonding—Every livestock sale should have the total amount of its bond posted in six-inch letters over the auctioneer box.

Central Filing System—The Central Filing System should accurately reflect current liens.

Grain Warehouses—We support the bonding and licensing of grain warehouses.

Livestock Market Inspection—We should support and promote a livestock market inspection program which could include such things as seller and/or animal identification.

Marketing Funds Study—Livestock producers continue to lose funds because of mishandling of accounts by public market facilities, and from late payment or nonpayment. We request the state board research the state laws and cooperate with AFBF in reviewing the national laws and regulations of the Packers and Stockyards Administration with a goal of eliminating such losses.

ANIMALS ..................................................................................................... 40 Animal Health and Nutrition .................................................................. 40.1 Animal Health Jurisdiction—OFB supports the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Industry Division being granted complete and entire jurisdiction over health and disease issues for domestically raised exotic and domestic livestock including native and foreign species.

Brucellosis in Bison and Elk—OFB supports eradication of and vaccination for brucellosis in all domesticated bison herds and elk within the state.

Brucellosis Vaccination—Even though Oklahoma has been certified a brucellosis free state, OFB should encourage producers to continue to vaccinate replacement heifers.

Indemnity Funds—OFB supports the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Industry Division being granted complete and entire jurisdiction over indemnity funds, if they exist. For those animals owned from birth to slaughter by one entity, the entity shall remit to the indemnity fund the fee which would have been collected had the animals been sold at auction. The indemnity funds shall be used exclusively for indemnifying livestock owners whose animals are destroyed for public health concerns and shall not be disbursed for any other purpose.

OFB should support development of an indemnity fund for domestically raised exotic and domestic livestock, including native and foreign species.

Pharmaceuticals—OFB requests the right to purchase restricted use veterinarian pharmaceuticals through whatever supplier or distributor we may obtain them from after a veterinarian has issued a valid prescription for their use on an animal or animals.

Brands/Thefts/Strays ............................................................................. 40.2 Branding—We encourage the branding of cattle as a deterrent to theft and an aid to the apprehension of thieves.

We favor the present brand law which requires that all brands used should meet the specifications for a distinctive brand and should be registered with the State Board of Agriculture. Brands registered for the same location on the animal should be different enough to avoid confusion.

We oppose mandatory branding.

Herd Law—We support legislation clarifying Oklahoma herd laws, particularly the part that pertains to damages and liabilities in instances where the public is permitted access to large enclosed areas where domestic animals are kept.

Restitution and Penalties for Cattle Theft—In case of livestock theft, judges should be allowed to require full restitution in addition to fine or prison sentence.

We recommend that penalties for theft of livestock be increased and that more intensive efforts be made by law enforcement officers to find and prosecute offenders.

Animal Welfare ........................................................................................ 40.3 Animal Rights—We recommend that OFB carefully monitor all so-called animal rights legislation and or organizations. We firmly oppose any attempts to interfere with the distribution and marketing process of food and animal products.

We recommend that teachers be prevented from teaching so-called “animal rights.”

We support teaching animal welfare through “Ag in the Classroom.”

We recommend OFB exercise all influence possible to avoid the use of false or misleading textbooks on so-called animal rights and or environmental issues such as the book “Earth Child,” written by Mary Waidner and Kathy Sheehan, and other pantheistic religion books.

We support closer monitoring of printed and video materials with animal rights messages in public schools.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS .............................................................................. 60 Cell Phone Charges—While using a cell phone, both the sender and receiver are charged for airtime, this is double charging. There should be no charge for incoming calls.

Electric Deregulation—We support the efforts of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives in deregulating the electric industry.

When electricity is deregulated, it should be mandatory to have a signed permit before changing providers. No Slamming.

We support the efforts of rural electric cooperatives to maintain universal access to electric

power for all Oklahomans. If the electric utility industry is restructured, the following criteria should be used: a. All classes of customers should be treated fairly. b. Equalize the cost of distributing electricity statewide. c. Rural Oklahomans’ rates should not be increased as a result of any restructuring.

Email Surcharges—We oppose any Internet e-mail surcharges by the U.S. Postal Service.

900 Numbers—We believe the 1-900 number is being used to promote pornography. Unless prior written permission has been obtained from the caller, all 900 number calls will not be charged for in Oklahoma.

Telephone Rates—We support legislation to direct the Corporation Commission to regulate telephone rates for Oklahoma in such a way that intrastate rates will be no more than comparable interstate rates.

Telephone Solicitation—OFB opposes all forms of telephone solicitations.

Telecommunication Towers—We oppose any regulations regarding telecommunication towers required to be on county or public property.

Utility Rates—Any property used for agricultural purposes shall be considered a farmstead and be charged residential utility rates rather than commercial rates, regardless of the presence of a house on the property.

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION ................................................................. 70 County Assessor—We support making the County Assessor’s office a constitutional office instead of a statutory office.

D.C. Representation—An amendment to the U.S. Constitution has been proposed to give Washington, D.C., congressional representation as though it were a state. Washington, D.C., is not a state, but an artificial entity created for the specific purpose of being the nation’s capital and has but one major industry: government. It does not meet the qualifications of other states for representation; therefore, we oppose ratification by the State of Oklahoma of that proposed amendment to the constitution.

SQ 698—We support State Question 698.

State Questions—We recommend that questions to amend the Constitution be placed on ballots for primary and general elections. These questions should not be considered at runoff elections. We support providing better readability and understanding of state questions for the general public.

COURTS/PENAL SYSTEM ......................................................................... 80 The Judiciary ........................................................................................... 80.1 Criminals Litigating—We recommend setting limits on the rights of criminals presently incarcerated to litigate against the prison system.

Election of Judges—We believe District and Associate District Judges should continue to be elected.

Hold-Harmless Payments—The state court system shall be required to continue to fund county government for so-called hold harmless payments to compensate for loss of revenue from justice of peace courts and county courts; also portion of utility and janitorial bills for court occupied areas.

Judicial Review Committee—We recommend that the committee currently being considered to study the reformation of our current judicial system in Oklahoma should include at least one-third lay people in addition to attorneys, judges and legislators, to get a full scope opinion of our legal system.

Small Claims Court—We resolve that in small claims court the limit be raised from $2,500 to $5,000.

Supreme Court Terms—We favor limiting the terms of state Supreme Court judges to a maximum of 16 years with mandatory retirement at 75 years of age.

Crimes/Punishments ............................................................................. 80.2 Anhydrous Theft—The theft of anhydrous ammonia should be considered a felony crime.

Appeals of Sentence—There should be a limit of two appeals for those receiving the death sentence and two appeals for a life sentence and one appeal for anything less than a life sentence. All appeals should be processed within two years.

Capital Punishment—We support the use of capital punishment. We support a limit of two appeals for criminals and maximum of five years on death row.

Car-jacking—A car-jacker should be treated as a felon, and car owners or passengers should be allowed to protect themselves, without fear of prosecution.

Child Abuse—We recommend that laws be rewritten concerning child abuse and sexual crimes against children so that children will be better protected. Convicted persons should not be granted pardons, paroles, or deferred sentences. The maximum punishment upon conviction for child molesting should be life imprisonment.

We recommend enactment of punitive legislation at all levels of government concerning ritual child abuse associated with satanic cults and witchcraft.

Confiscated Property—OFB supports legislation to allow law enforcement officials to confiscate and sell equipment owned and utilized by convicted thieves to transport stolen equipment and livestock.

Copper Sulfate Use—The use of copper sulfate by commercial minnow dealers in a river should be a felony offense rather than a misdemeanor.

Corporal Punishment—We support the reinstitution of corporal punishment for convicted felons in our penal institutions, including chain gang work units.

Crime Prevention—Persons committing any crimes should be forced to make restitution to their victims, and be assessed larger fines so that taxpayers are not responsible for their care and upkeep in prison.

DUI—We recommend more strict penalties and stricter enforcement of laws governing drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

We recommend mandatory punishment for DUI or DWI, beginning with the first offense.

Early Release—We support legislation to eliminate the authority of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections to release prisoners early because of good behavior. All releases should go through the parole board.

Felony Crimes—We recommend that perpetrators of felonies should be punished no matter the age of the offender and their records should follow them into any other court proceeding.

All previous records of a convicted felon should be presented in court proceedings.

Forfeiture Laws—Assets and equipment that are seized by existing forfeiture laws should not be sold or disposed of until the person has been convicted and the due process of the law has taken place. Since the Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney and the Highway Patrol confiscate property for certain crimes, we resolve that all such property, including cash, automobiles, and other valuables be accounted for in the legal notices in the newspaper. The accounting should include to whom the property was sold and for how much, what property is still on hand and for what purpose the money from disposed property was used.

Gun Control—We oppose gun control.

Juvenile Crimes and Penalties—We recommend the juvenile criminal code be strengthened so that juveniles are punished for their criminal behavior. More stringent penalties should be enacted. Under the present law, a juvenile’s crime record is protected by privacy regardless of how many crimes he commits and at the age of 18 their past crime record is wiped clean or expunged.

We recommend changing the laws to protect by privacy the first offense, but if there are other offenses they should be public record.

We further recommend juveniles be given a deferred sentence on the first offense (unless a felony) and placed on probation until 18 years of age with the offense record wiped clean at the age of 18 if the juvenile commits no future offenses.

Repeat juvenile offenders should be considered a habitual criminal and convicted and punished as such. We recommend those juveniles arrested and convicted three or more times be tried as adults.

We also believe the state should provide adequate juvenile detention facilities for these offenders. The DHS should be removed from authority over criminal juvenile cases. All juveniles convicted of a violent offense and over the age of 15 should be incarcerated separately from adults in county and municipal jails.

Convicted juvenile offender’s parents or guardians should be liable for damages caused by their charges.

Parents should be held legally and financially responsible for all cost and damages incurred by schools, law enforcement, youth authorities, persons and institutions through restitutions to victims of their delinquent minor’s criminal activities. The $2,500 maximum on restitutions to victims of juvenile crimes should be removed.

The juvenile criminal code should be strengthened so that all juveniles charged with a violent offense should be tried as adults and propose that the juvenile justice system needs to look into other ways of assessing punishment and maybe have more work details, cutting weeds, and

cleaning trash, and community service. We urge the legislature look into installing camps, military style, for juvenile repeat offenders. If sentenced, juveniles must serve the full term.

Juvenile DUI—We recommend that a juvenile charged with driving under the influence or possession of an intoxicating beverage, who has used a false identification to obtain this beverage, be legally considered as the adult he claims to be, when punishment is imposed.

Make My Day Law—We desire to see the “Make My Day” law expanded to allow easier access for permits to carry weapons, also providing extended protection to the victim. We should have the right to protect our property and lives without fear of prosecution. We endorse and request the continued firm enforcement of laws and ask for the right to use force to protect our private property, including deadly force if needed.

Marijuana—We oppose legalization of marijuana.

Plea Bargaining—We urge strong support for legislation which would forbid plea-bargaining, establish a uniform sentence for various crimes with no exceptions or time off for “good behavior.”

Prisoners Qualifying for Public Funds—Individual prisoners should not qualify for welfare or federal or state grants, such as college or school grants.

Rural Crime—We encourage funding for a stronger rural crime investigation and prevention program.

Survivors’ Rights—We recommend that Farm Bureau support legislation mandating the crime victim’s surviving family be notified in advance and given the privilege to attend any or all parole hearings of the convict who committed the crime against them and who is being considered for parole.

Truth in Sentencing—We support Truth in Sentencing laws. But, we request the Oklahoma Legislature postpone the Truth in Sentencing/Community Sentencing Act to allow further study.

Vehicular Property Damage—We recommend a fine plus restitution for damage caused by driving over fields and pastures. This includes any kind of vehicle, including three and four wheelers, causing any damage to crops and pastures, when the offender is trespassing.

Victims’ Rights—The law needs to be rewritten to give victims of theft more rights, rather than pawnbrokers. To receive your own property back from a pawnshop after it has been stolen, the victim is required to pay the pawnbroker’s fee that has accumulated against the property.

Penal System ........................................................................................... 80.3 Counties Housing Inmates—We support the state offering long-term contracts to counties to house inmates. This would help finance local county government instead of financing private prison owners.

Prisoner Profits—All earnings by the criminal from the sale of book, TV, movie and other items shall go for the upkeep of the prisoner and or be given to the victim.

Private Prisons—We believe the state should make greater use of private prison systems to reduce our overcrowding problem.

Rainy Day Fund for More Prisons—We favor the use of the rainy day funds to build more maximum-security prisons, with minimum basic standards in living accommodations and eliminate all “Country Club” prisons.

Reimbursing Costs—We recommend that the Oklahoma Department of Corrections pay counties actual cost or the same amount per day for housing inmates as they pay to private prisons and corrections centers, whichever is greater.

The state penal system should reimburse the county sheriffs departments the actual cost of keeping state prisoners after sentencing until they are transferred to the state system.

Trustee Status—Prisoners convicted of major violent crimes should not be allowed trustee status.

Work Camps—We support more work camps for non-violent convicts because: (a) The communities presently involved in this program approve and support it. (b) The interaction with the general population has had a beneficial effect on the prisoners, paving the way for their re-entry into the general population. (c) This will allow ample availability of prison cells for incarcerating more serious offenders.

Criminal Defense Fund .......................................................................... 80.4 Defense Funds—We are opposed to the use of revenue from traffic fines to pay for the defense of those charged with committing crimes.

Tort Reform .............................................................................................. 80.6 Equine/Livestock Liability—We support an equine and other livestock liability law for Oklahoma.

Landowners’ Liability—Landowners should be protected from liability lawsuits that may arise from trespassers or from those who are given permission to enter the land for any purposes.

Lawsuit Abuse—We support continuing efforts to pass legislation to reduce cost of suits due to abuse of the system. Additional improvement could include allowing for periodic or installment payment, through the use of annuities purchased by the insurance companies, prevention of double payment to a plaintiff by allowing the court to reduce the damage amount by the amount of any collateral payments and a cap on the amount of noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering. We favor the lawyer to be paid no more than 25 percent over the first $50,000, 15 percent on $50,000 to $100,000, and 1 percent over $100,000.

If the suing attorney loses the suit, he/she should pay all court costs.

Lawsuit Expenses—Since the defendant in a civil lawsuit must bear legal expenses whether found guilty or not, we believe if a defendant is not found guilty the plaintiff must reimburse the defendant for all court cost and legal fees.

Lawsuit Limits—We support tort reform and putting a cap on dollar value of lawsuits. A driver or passengers cannot sue the other party in an accident for more liability than the amount of liability being carried by the suing party.

Prescribed Burning—Legislation should include reducing landowner’s liability when conducting a prescribed burn.

EDUCATION ............................................................................................... 90 Campaign Literature—We oppose distribution of campaign literature by teachers in public schools.

Corporal Punishment—We support corporal punishment as an option for use in Oklahoma school systems.

Crime on School Property—We propose that any person who engages in unlawful acts endangering people on school property will be prosecuted regardless of age.

Criminal Record Check—All school employees should have a criminal record check and pass a drug test before being hired.

We recommend that a criminal record check be done before a school bus drivers license is issued or renewed by the State of Oklahoma.

Dependent Schools—We support keeping dependent schools that meet academic standards.

Discipline—We need a strengthening of discipline in our school system for support of teachers to encourage a better education.

Drug Testing—We recommend random drug testing of all school employees and state and county government employees.

We recommend drug testing of school teachers, administrators, bus drivers and all school employees, with all controls to remain on a local level. We support use of trained dogs for drug detection in schools. We oppose legalization of marijuana.

English Official Language—We support legislation that English be the official language of the United States, and that bilingual education not be funded by federal or state tax moneys.

Felony Reporting—We recommend legislation that a registry of educators convicted of felonies be made available to the State Board of Education and local school boards.

We recommend legislation that District Court Clerks be required to notify the State Board of Education and the local Board of Education immediately when a public school employee is convicted of a felony.

Home Based Education—We support the option of home based education, and oppose any laws or movements to abolish this liberty and freedom.

Local Control—We have long favored maximum local control and administration of schools, and regret that state and national governments have largely usurped these powers. We urge state lawmakers to curb this unwarranted interference and return all possible control to local districts.

Protection of Pupils Rights—We favor strict enforcement of the Protection of Pupils Rights regulations (also known as the Hatch Amendment) as recently issued by the Department of Education.

Support Public Education—We support public education and recommend that students of the state of Oklahoma be encouraged to learn the American Creed.

Vocational Education—We support the educational policy that keeps vocational technical education intact.

Funding .................................................................................................... 90.2 Budget Cuts—School funds should be used for educational purposes only. When school districts are forced to cut expenses because of revenue decreases, cuts should be made in non-academic and extracurricular activities.

Education Funding—We are in favor of funding education reform with broad based taxes such as sales and income taxes. We oppose any increase in ad valorem taxes.

General Funds for Capital Improvements—We encourage the Oklahoma Legislature to amend school spending laws to enable local boards of education the ability to use general funds for capital improvements.

Indebtedness Cap—We support the current 10 percent cap on public school indebtedness.

Local vs. State Funding—We urge patrons to vote necessary local funds to provide quality education, but favor state funding of new programs which are made mandatory by the state.

OFB opposes local school districts being penalized in the state funding formula because of local bond elections and other funding mechanisms.

Millage Limits—We support the current millage limits for public school funds set by the Oklahoma State Constitution.

Tier Basis—Equalize school funding formulas to be distributed in a tier basis, which would encompass more factors than just student count.

OFB supports equalizing school funding formulas to be distributed on a tier basis which would encompass student count, transportation miles, local bonding capacity, and population density factors.

Unfunded Mandates—We propose the elimination of all unfunded education mandates.

Vocational Education—We support providing adequate funding for vocational programs.

Curricula/Equipment ............................................................................. 90.3 Agriculture—We propose a true representation of American agriculture be presented through local school systems by promoting field trips and class presentations to develop a better understanding of the importance of protecting the environment and to counter negative propaganda by opponents of agriculture.

County Government—Common schools’ curricula should include instructions about county government.

Equipment—We recommend every school provide students with computer capabilities and satellite access and a state library data system.

Evolution/Creation—If a school teaches evolution, it should be able to teach creation. We oppose the teaching of non-traditional family lifestyles.

Health Education—We recommend local school boards have the responsibility for determining the needs of and methods of implementing health education programs. We promote abstinence as the only form of safe sex in AIDS instruction.

Landowner Issues—Students should also be made more aware of problems caused landowners by littering and trash dumping.

OBE—While we oppose the concept of outcome based education in our public schools, local school boards should decide whether or not to utilize outcome based education.

Vocational Agriculture—We oppose any takeover of the Vocational Agriculture system in public schools by the State Vo-Tech system.

Administration ........................................................................................ 90.4 Competitive Bids—School districts should be required to take competitive bids on any amounts over $1,000 for property insurance, worker’s compensation insurance, or any other uses of tax dollars.

Forced Busing—We are opposed to busing students away from their neighborhood schools to achieve racial balance.

School Funds for Lobbying and Memberships—We are against any school district funds being used for lobbying efforts at the state legislature. In addition, we must stop the use of tax dollars by county governments and school districts to pay for memberships in private groups.

Staffing re: HB 1017—We recommend school staffing as mandated in HB 1017 be amended to allow schools additional time in which to acquire the “fiber optics” system of instructions. HB 1017 requires that every school building site have on staff at least onehalf day a librarian, assistant librarian, counselor and a principal. This is unnecessary and ridiculous and is causing real hardships and unnecessary expense for very little educational value. We favor modifying this portion of HB 1017.

Teachers ................................................................................................... 90.5 Sexual Orientation of Teachers—We are strongly opposed to the hiring of homosexuals and transsexuals as teachers.

Teacher Pay—We recommend that when the state legislature votes an increase in teachers’ salaries, the raise be funded fully by the state for the duration of the increase.

We support a state funded teacher pay increase that raises teachers’ pay to regional averages.

We believe that regional average of teachers salaries should be balanced by the cost of living in the area and the availability of competent teachers.

We believe that merit pay for teachers does have merit.

Tenure—We oppose tenure for teachers.

Consolidation/Transfers ....................................................................... 90.6 Excess Property—When property of the closed school are in excess of the district needs, said buildings and property should be offered to the local town for its use since the area taxpayers paid for the property.

School Consolidation—Isolated schools whose closing would work a hardship on their students should not be closed, but upgraded with satellite courses, computer courses, and traveling teachers. Such modern methods can make possible a quality education in every school, no matter how remote.

We oppose school consolidation just for the goal of a one-county school system. If reasons for consolidation exist it should be done on a school-by-school basis, not a mandatory statewide program. The distance factor should be a major consideration in decisions on consolidation.

We are opposed to the elimination of rural schools according to average daily attendance and any consolidation should be with mutual agreement of the school districts which are being consolidated.

We favor legislation requiring approval of electors of all affected school districts before districts can be annexed.

Landowners should be able to annex/de-annex their land/residence, with the consent of both school districts, without having to go through the state legislature. It should be handled on the local level.

School Prayer ......................................................................................... 90.7 Prayer—Our country was founded on the belief in God as our creator. We would like for that principle and prayer to be allowed in all “walks of life” particularly in our schools, sporting events and governing bodies on the local, state and federal levels.

HIGHER EDUCATION ................................................................................ 95 English Speaking Instructors—All instructors teaching at an Oklahoma Higher Education institution must speak fluent English.

Entrance Requirements—We support maintaining the 1998 entrance requirements for ACT scores at Oklahoma State University, a land grant university, to provide educational opportunities for more Oklahoma students.

Fees—OFB supports increasing fees by a minimum of 25%, above the fees charged for non-resident students, for foreign national students attending Oklahoma state funded colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning.

School Credits—College courses in state colleges should be standardized to allow transfer of credits from one state college to another.

Ag Research/Education ........................................................................ 95.1 Ag Research Funding—We support increased funding for agriculture research in Oklahoma.

Extension and the Internet—We encourage the OSU Cooperative Extension Service to expand information presented on the Internet.

Extension Support—We favor continued financial support from the county, state and federal levels for the OSU Extension Service to retain a county Extension office in counties.

Fiber Industry—We encourage Oklahoma State University, OSU Extension Service, USDA, ARS, Oklahoma State Department of Commerce, and other local, state and federal entities to assist with technical assistance in developing a fiber industry in Oklahoma.

Fort Reno—The USDA, ARS facility at Fort Reno in Oklahoma should not be declared excess property, and full funding should be found to keep the research facility.

OSU Support—The Land Grant College and the Cooperative Extension Service have made outstanding contributions to farm people and must be continued and strengthened to meet the future needs of agriculture. The primary responsibility should be to continue to serve the educational and informational needs of farmers and ranchers. However, it should be recognized

December 2002 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • 5

that the ultimate beneficiary is the American consumer.

We support funding for the OSU Stored Product Research and Education Center.

This will surface better ways to store grain for human consumption.

Value-Added Processing—We support continued funding of Value-Added Processing research at OSU. CAMPAIGNS, ELECTIONS, ELECTED OFFICES, VOTING ................. 100 Bond Elections—When an election is called for a vote on a bond issue and the bond issue is defeated, there should be a period of 12 months before the bond could be voted on again.

Building Plans and Costs Before Ballot—We recommend before a school bond can be put on a ballot an architectural plan with total cost be made public.

Corporation Commissioner—We support keeping the position of Corporation Commissioner an elective office.

Election Consolidation—We propose that Oklahoma look at the election process and consolidate the elections. Possibly two major elections (spring—county & school board; fall—state & national). This would save the state money.

Fair Board—Fair board elections should coincide with other elections such as general, school board, etc., and have a filing requirement.

Open Primary—We support open primary elections.

Political Signs—We favor penalties to ensure political signs are removed after elections.

Precincts for School Elections—We recommend that Oklahoma Farm Bureau support legislation to rescind the act of the Oklahoma Legislature that requires every voting precinct in the school district to be open for all school elections.

Resignation before Filing for Office—We recommend any elected official be required to resign a current office before filing for a new office.

Tax Dollars for Campaigns—We oppose the use of tax dollars being funneled into political campaigns.

Voter Eligibility—We recommend that a resident be required to live in a school district six months before he would be able to vote on bond issues.

All residents living in the state of Oklahoma have the right to vote in any school tax increase where they have land in that school district.

Voter Registration—Voters wishing to change party affiliation should have the same rights as the people who are registering; therefore in the periods designated for registering, voters may also change parties.

Voting—In order to control abuses, we want all voting to be done in person or by absentee ballot.

ENERGY ................................................................................................... 110 Alternative Fuels—We urge the State of Oklahoma to promote the development and use of alternative fuels.

Electricity Rates—We recommend OFB work to maintain the lowest electricity rates possible for rural Oklahoma.

Ethanol—We support the usage of ethanol to be blended at the local level.

We urge institutions of higher learning to continue to furnish information about new developments in ethanol production and utilization.

Disaster Expense—We resolve the state pay their 12.5% restoration fee to Electric Coops as the state portion of disaster expense (ice storm).

Natural Gas—Oklahoma public utilities should be encouraged to use Oklahoma natural gas.

ETHICS ...................................................................................................... 120 Ethics Reform—We support legislation to prohibit state legislators from doing business or practicing law before or with state agencies or commissions.

We recommend that any government official or employee cannot go to work for any industry that he has regulated for a period of 24 months after he leaves a government job.

We favor legislation preventing organizations funded by tax money from lobbying.

We support common sense ethics rules and regulations, including adequate penalties for abuse of the same, to guide the conduct and actions of all state officials.

Officials Names on Printed Items—Whereas, at the present time when incumbent elected officials are not re-elected to their respective offices, the taxpayers must pay the bills on having printed items changed that contain the elected officials name. Therefore, be it resolved, that city, county and state officials not be permitted to place their names on printed items such as stationary, decals, equipment and etc. at government’s expense.

FARM/RANCH, GENERAL ....................................................................... 130 Agriculture Defined—We oppose any agriculture activity being classified as industrial. We support having a uniform definition of agriculture which includes the production of all plants (agronomic and horticultural), aquatic species (aquaculture), forestry (silviculture), animals, and related production activities.

Agriculture, Food and Forestry Jurisdiction—The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture should be in charge of any regulations affecting agriculture.

Diesel Formulation—We oppose reduction in the sulfur content of off road diesel.

The sulfur is needed as a lubricant.

Cedar Tree Management—We support aggressive management of cedar trees by landowners and also on state and federal property.

Country of Origin Labeling—We support country of origin labeling. We also support any state action on foreign country labeling that does not conflict with federal law.

Exports—We support the efforts of the State Department of Agriculture to open and expand foreign export markets.

Family Farms Defined—Family owned farms that contract with corporations involved in livestock and crop production are considered family farms.

Farmer Protection—We support responsible actions designed to protect the privilege and the right of farmers, ranchers and commercial fishermen to produce without undue or unreasonable restrictions, regulations or harassment from the public or private sectors.

Fire Ants—Farm Bureau should encourage federal/state agencies to develop and implement strategies to control the spread of fire ants.

Grasshopper Control—The state Department of Agriculture should have a program to control grasshoppers.

Industrial Hemp—We support legalization of industrial hemp in Oklahoma as an alternative livestock feed and fiber product.

Karnal Bunt—OFB encourages the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture to control the karnal bunt outbreak through tracing, identification, testing, quarantining, and reimbursement to wheat growers.

Kenaf Feasibility Study—We seek to initiate a feasibility study of the production, processing and marketing of Kenaf as an alternative crop for Oklahoma farmers and seek to identify other alternative crops that have profit potential for farmers under dryland conditions, which would be more tolerant to dry weather extremes that Oklahoma farmers have experienced the last three years.

Mandatory Licensing Opposed—We oppose mandatory licensing of any agricultural enterprise in Oklahoma.

Master Farmer Program—We support a Master Farmer Program in an effort to demonstrate that agricultural producers can and will voluntarily reduce the impact that agriculture production has on the environment and we think OFB should pursue creating one in Oklahoma.

Monitoring Diseases—We support the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and other state commodity groups in monitoring biological diseases, such as karnal bunt, hoof and mouth disease, etc.

Nuisance Law—The current nuisance law should be modified to give consideration to who was there first.

We support actions to ensure that farmers be protected from undue liability and nuisance suits when carrying out normal production practices.

Right To Farm—We support a Right To Farm law.

Seed License—Farmers should not be required to have a seed license to sell their surplus seed. We favor repealing this regulation.

Seedling Nursery—OFB should work through any and all available appropriate channels to secure a permanent forest tree seedling production nursery somewhere in southeast Oklahoma.

Timber Permit Opposed—We are opposed to any type of permit system to harvest timber.

Wineries—We support a change in state law whereby Oklahoma wineries can wholesale their products to restaurants and businesses.

Winery Law—We support the winery law being removed from the Constitution and placed into statute.

Agri-Youth Support ............................................................................. 130.1 4-H Activities—We recommend 4-H be offered in schools as an extracurricular activity. We support encouraging participation in this program.

Support For Youth—We favor legislation to keep funding for agri-youth programs, FHA,

4-H and FFA, at the present level or increase them in the future to keep up with inflation.

Animal Feeding Operations /Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations ......... 130.2 Animal Feeding Operations—We recommend, that regardless of size, any animal feeding operation (AFO) that creates no wastewater discharge be exempt from classification as a point source polluter.

We further oppose listing of farms as a point source of pollution.

OFB is strongly opposed to more regulations on Animal Feeding Operations.

Animal Waste Management—Waste management for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) needs to be based on proven environmental impact rather than on arbitrary livestock numbers. Total retention of all wastewater may be required in some instances, although grass filter strips may suffice for small operations. The local NRCS office should help in determination of management required.

We recommend that the Farm Bureau participate in the formation of a reasonable animal waste management program.

We oppose any legislation which limits the application of animal waste fertilizers within the boundaries of a private property owner’s land. We recognize that livestock manure has been used as a scientifically sound fertilizer for centuries and should not be termed a hazardous waste.

The local conservation district boards should have input in the setting of animal nutrient standards.

We recommend that all agencies charged with the regulation of concentrated animal agriculture develop a standard animal unit valuation for all animal species based upon volume of nutrient output. Agricultural organizations and producers should be involved in the development of this valuation.

Contracts (Bill of Rights)—We should become active, involving relations between corporate integrators and contract producers of agricultural products, which includes but not limited to a contract grower Bill of Rights.

Contracts (Government Intervention)—OFB opposes governmental intervention in the contractual relationships between agricultural producers and processors such as is stated in the Producer Protection Act (SB 162, 48 th Legislature).

Co-permitting and Voluntary Compliance—OFB shall oppose co-permitting of contract growers with integrators, but shall encourage and support voluntary efforts by integrators to assist contract growers in complying with environmental regulations.

Grower Protection—We support identifying chickens from the farm to the kill floor. A tag should accompany each truckload and be turned into the receiving agent.

(Price should be on grade and yield.)

Jurisdiction Over Livestock and CAFOs—We recommend that the State Department of Agriculture have jurisdiction over all of the livestock industry and regulations on CAFOs. We believe that the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture should seek to be designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as the agency to regulate Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in the state of Oklahoma.

We are against the EPA having jurisdiction over Animal Feeding Operations regulation in Oklahoma.

Litter Record Keeping—The producer should have a record of litter tonnage and spread rates on his own property. However, if the litter is sold, the producer should not be liable or have records any further than the bill of sale. The person in possession of product should be liable down to the final destination, application, spread rate and tonnage.

Litter Registration—We support keeping litter registration for the poultry industry as simplified as possible and still accomplish the results of environmental and water quality improvements.

Poultry Operations as CAFOs—We oppose any effort to classify a dry litter Animal Feeding Operation as a CAFO. Region 6 CAFO Permit—We should seek to improve the objectionable portions of the Draft Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) being proposed by the Region VI of the EPA regarding National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.

Commodity Promotion ........................................................................ 130.3 American Native Beef—We support the efforts of the American Native Beef Cooperative. (Cow processing plant in Oklahoma.)

Beef Check-Off—We support voting by the producers on the beef check-off every 10 years and promote more accountability of dollars spent.

Beef Check-off for Oklahoma—We support a 50-cent per head Oklahoma Beef Check-Off in the event that a national check-off is defeated.

Check-Offs—Farm Bureau strongly supports the continuation of commodity promotion check-offs. We agree with the promotion, research, education and marketing goals of the check-off system.

We support a check-off paid by the seller on any imported commodity that has a check-off in place.

Commodity Promotion—Commodity promotion and research efforts are being supported by producers of several commodities in Oklahoma, and additional commodities may be covered by such check-off programs in the future. Such programs, financed by check-off funds from producers, should include the following provisions: (1) No funds collected by these commissions should be used for legislative purposes, either state or national, directly or indirectly, nor for supporting or opposing any candidate for office, Some reasonable minimum percentage of funds collected should be earmarked for research at Oklahoma State University experiment stations, (2) A referendum of producers should be automatic not less than five years after the initiation of the check off, (3) Referenda should be required if a reasonable percentage of producers sign a petition calling for such a vote. We urge Farm Bureau members to participate in the meetings in which commissioners are nominated. We oppose the proposed combining of our agricultural commodity commissions.

Dairy Compact—We support legislation for a Southern Region Dairy Compact.

Domestic Livestock Feeding Industry—We encourage OFB to aggressively defend the U.S. domestic livestock feeding industry against the increased regulatory challenges that could push the entire domestic industry out of the U.S. If this were to happen, the U.S. domestic grain industry would lose its major customer and a large portion of its domestic demand.

Wheat Check-Off—We support the wheat check-off.

Organic Farming ................................................................................... 130.4 Organic Farming—We do not object to the law allowing “organic” or “natural” food products to be certified by the state Department of Agriculture as “Certified Organically Produced.” However, we insist on the right of producers who do not wish to become certified to sell their produce without such license, so long as they do not use the term “Certified Organically Produced.”

In addition, the law should not state or imply that such certified organic products are in any way superior to or more wholesome or nutritious than those produced by commercial methods.

Ag-Link Lending Program .................................................................. 130.5 Ag-Link Support—We recommend the Ag Link Program be continued and that it be for more than one year at a time.

We recommend increasing the funding to the Ag Link Program by 33 percent.

Beginning Farmer Loans—We support beginning farmer loans.

Loan Prohibition—Non-family corporations should not be able to apply for Ag Link loans.

Peanuts ................................................................................................... 130.6 Peanut Support—We support the retention of the current peanut quota support level and legislative pricing structure as a part of any international trade agreement. We urge that the OFB aggressively work for national support. We support a National Peanut Program.

Cotton ..................................................................................................... 130.7 Boll Weevil Eradication—We support the whole Boll Weevil Eradication program and not just the APHIS portion. Therefore, we strongly encourage OFB and AFBF to work for expansion and full funding of the APHIS portion of the eradication program to Oklahoma.

Furadan—OFB and AFBF should work for the permanent release to use furadan on cotton.

Regulations ........................................................................................... 130.8 We oppose additional government regulations without having a proven scientific basis, and unless their cost effectiveness is proven as well. We are opposed to state regulations being more strict than federal regulations.

We are opposed to additional regulations on non-point source pollution. We commend the many agricultural producers who work every day to conserve water and soil, and encourage all producers to do the same.

We are opposed to any regulation that limits a person’s right to use their property as they see fit.

The following resolution should take precedence over any current conflicting policy: “We are opposed to any government regulation of agriculture.”

We oppose any government agency being able to implement regulations before the

6 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • December 2002

authorizing legislation is passed. We oppose any such rules being used to help pass legislation.

Regulations for the protection of the environment should apply to all people, organizations and cities, not just to agriculture. No special privileges should be allowed, and the double standard should be stopped. Any regulation that applies to agriculture should apply to everyone else.

We should not separate agriculture or be in favor of stricter rules for one section of agriculture.

Let’s leave the ability to regulate agriculture with agencies who understand farming like the Department of Agriculture and the Conservation Commission.

Cost Benefit Analysis—We support requiring a cost benefit analysis to be conducted before regulations can be implemented by state and federal agencies. We recommend that the cost of the regulations to individual producers be considered by agencies and legislators before the regulations can be adopted.

Fencing of Stallions—We are opposed to government regulations regarding fencing requirements for stallions.

Presumption Of Compliance—OFB should support legislation to create a “presumption of compliance” law that would say any agricultural landowner operating under the appropriate rules of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture regarding such things as conservation plans, water quality management plans, etc., should be considered to be in compliance with state water quality standards and would have fulfilled compliance with any Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation plan.

Regulatory Programs from CWA Lists—OFB should support legislation that would prohibit state agencies from implementing regulatory programs on the basis of any list or report required under the federal Clean Water Act. While the raw data used to build the reports of lists could be used in agency decision making, the reports or lists themselves could not be used as a regulatory tool.

Risk Assessment—On risk assessment, we wish to adopt American Farm Bureau Federation policy as such, adding this assessment should be based upon sound science and be subject to peer review and replication by state agencies.

Storage Tanks—We are against additional regulations on all above-ground farm storage tanks.

Federal Farm Program Implementation in Oklahoma ..................... 130.9 LDP—We oppose a national LDP rate. We support LDP on graze-out acres. Rye should be included as a farm commodity.

Corporate Farms ................................................................................ 130.10 Corporate Farming Law—The Oklahoma Legislature should reinstate the old anti-corporate farming law to what it was prior to 1991 revisions.

Corporate Ownership of Ag Land—We oppose corporate ownership of agricultural lands with the exception of family owned corporations.

INSURANCE ............................................................................................. 160 Genetic Discrimination—We applaud recent strides in human genome research, however we urge Oklahoma Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau guard against genetic discrimination by insurance companies and employers.

Guest Law—Legislation should be enacted to provide the driver of any vehicle shall not be responsible for damages to a person who is riding as a guest in such vehicle, unless the driver is guilty of gross and wanton negligence.

Insurance Verification—We encourage stronger enforcement and legislation which would maintain a record of insurance verification within the Department of Public Safety.

Liability Limits—Liability limits have gotten out of hand and judgments are rendered on one’s ability to pay on the amount of insurance available, rather than the damage done; one is used for his net worth, rather than damages done.

The expense of excessive judgments is borne by the law-abiding citizens either in the form of higher insurance premiums, higher taxes or higher cost of consumer goods.

Oklahoma has a mandatory liability law, which says that to operate a motor vehicle legally in Oklahoma, the owner must carry liability for the motoring public. We recommend that: (1) if a person is breaking the law by not providing liability for the motoring public, that person will be unable to collect liability damages from those who are providing coverage; (2) that judgments be limited to the amount of liability insurance carried by the plaintiff, regardless of the net worth of the defendant. Farm Bureau should work with and encourage the insurance industry, together with the government, to establish guidelines for a reasonable set of maximum liability limits. Minimum should be no less than 25/50/25.

Uninsured Drivers—We also support providing a mechanism of enforcement to eliminate uninsured vehicles on the road.

Water Craft—We propose that all water craft (especially wet bikes and jet skis) be required to have at least minimum liability insurance.

Worker’s Compensation Reform—We recommend reform of the Workmen’s Compensation Insurance system.

We enthusiastically recommend that elected or appointed officials from the state of Oklahoma not be allowed to practice before the worker’s compensation court.

All workers’ compensation insurance in Oklahoma should be maintained by private companies. We support workers’ compensation reform that considers an arbitration step in the settlement system, before cases go to court. We favor a simpler workers’ compensation program that allows for more affordable rates.

LABOR ...................................................................................................... 170 Labor Laws—We favor a right-to-work law for Oklahoma, and oppose binding arbitration for public employees. We oppose boycotts of any kind and support repeal of the state prevailing wage law.

LOCAL/STATE GOVERNMENT .............................................................. 180 County Government Administration .................................................. 180.1 County Consolidation—We are opposed to any change in the way counties can be consolidated, leaving it to individual counties or parts of counties to initiate any proposed change in county boundaries.

County Government Reform—We specifically recommend the following: (a) Each county in the state of Oklahoma should have the opportunity to vote for the type of county government it would like to have. (b) One option should be to keep the present system. (c) We believe that the present system of county government can be made to operate honestly and more efficiently without drastic overhaul. Until such options are available, or as long as the present system continues, safeguards should be established to force them to operate as a board, in all matters, and not as individuals. (d) Road funds, county road improvement revolving fund, the county bridge program and the 20 percent fund should be apportioned by a formula considering the number of bridges, county road mileage and other factors. The funds received by the county should be distributed within the county by the county commissioners without regard for districts, but according to the needs considering the entire county. (e) In some counties, spending is out of control with no relief in sight. We believe the county commissioners should prepare a balanced budget and have final authority to approve the budget. Commonly accepted accounting practices should be used in budget building and control. The excise board’s responsibility would be to determine the millage necessary. (f) Our system of special taxing entities such as libraries and health departments needs to be reviewed, to determine if locally-elected officials should have some budget oversight. (g) We support legislation that would allow counties to consolidate some county offices in order to save money. (h) We strongly urge that any travel expenses for official business of county officers and county commissioners be verified by mileage claims rather than paid by a set travel allowance. (i) The legislature should institute in-depth studies to see how county government can be made more efficient, so that tax dollars are spent wisely and county personnel are best utilized.

The present system does little to encourage economy in county government. (j) We are opposed to county commissioners being paid from the road fund. (k) We oppose any move to replace county assessors with Tax Commission employees.

Equalization Board—We support returning the county equalization board to three members identical to the county excise board, and favor elimination of the new state Board of Property Tax Review.

Mutual Aid Agreements—County and city emergency services and law enforcement offices should sign mutual aid agreements to protect rural residents as well as city residents.

Officials Names on Property—We oppose officials putting their names on signs, equipment, stationary, and other county property.

Rights-of-Way—We oppose the county having authority to authorize utilities and communication lines rights-of-way. County Commissioners cannot underbid the taxpaying landowners in granting rights-of-way.

Share Equipment—We recommend that County Commissioners share specialized equipment.

County Roads and Bridges ................................................................. 180.2

Efforts to upgrade rural bridges and roads in Oklahoma should be given a high priority.

Condemned rural bridges should receive high priority for funding and action toward replacement.

ATV Operation—We support the personal use of ATVs on county roads within 10 miles of a licensed driver’s private property during daylight hours.

Bridge Specifications—We oppose over-specifications of rural bridge projects.

We favor a common sense approach to engineering design.

County Control—We favor keeping county road and bridge construction and maintenance a function of the county in rural areas.

Funding—We ask Farm Bureau to encourage the State Department of Transportation to help organizations applying for Section 189 rural transportation funds.

We oppose legislation to redirect state and federal revenues already allocated to the County Road and Bridge Fund.

We favor increasing the percentage of our motor vehicle taxes being used to build and maintain roads and bridges.

Minimum Road Width—We recommend county commissioners be encouraged to cut trees and maintain a minimum width on county roads for safe passage of farm equipment and school buses.

Mowing and Trash Pickup—We recommend that cities and counties should do the routine maintenance, such as mowing and trash pickup, on section line roads.

911 Service and Signs—OFB should pursue efforts to make advanced 911 service available to all parts of rural Oklahoma and work for better signage on rural roads.

Recycled Road Material-We recommend contract stipulations requiring highway contractors recycle usable debris from job sites and or make it available to county commissioners for use on county roads.

Road Material Pits—We believe that county and state governments should be exempt from mining regulations for road material pits.

County Finance .................................................................................... 180.3 County Finance—Many of our smaller counties are having problems in trying to finance county government, and retain their status as a viable entity. It is difficult and sometimes counterproductive for counties to increase these funds under the present laws of the state of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau should work to solve this problem.

Counties should be given authority to vote sales taxes for county government operations and earmark the revenue approved by county voters. (Check also Taxes, 250) We support improving financial support, other than ad valorem, for counties who do not have a large metropolitan city to help them finance law enforcement.

Jail Standards—Proposed new health regulations for jails are causing undue hardship on smaller county budgets and the state is constantly changing physical requirements of jails. If a jail is built that meets the standards in force at the time it was built, then the county should not be in violation when new regulations are issued.

Retain Fees and Fines—We recommend that a larger percent of all court fees and fines be retained in the county and placed in the general fund.

Special Districts ................................................................................... 180.5 Many rural communities are falling victim to rural fire protection districts and road improvement districts, many of which are implemented in questionable elections.

Such districts have wide ranging powers in levying real estate and personal property taxes which burden farmland owners.

STATE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ................................................................ 185 State Legislature .................................................................................. 185.1 Agriculture Emergency Fund—We recommend that the Governor and Legislature enact legislation creating a revolving $2 million Agriculture Emergency Fund. This would allow the State of Oklahoma through the Department of Agriculture to respond immediately to any agricultural crisis such as wildfires, drought, hay shortages, animal diseases, and pests.

Balanced Budget Resolution—We encourage Oklahoma Farm Bureau to support in the legislature a balanced budget constitutional amendment resolution for the federal government.

Conflict of Interest—We propose that all state legislators be required to sign a conflict of interest affidavit.

Cost Benefit Analysis of Rules—We support OFB attempts to pass legislation to invalidate rules when agencies fail to properly complete a cost benefit analysis.

Disciplining Legislators—We support proposals that have been recommended by the House Special Committee on Discipline that govern removal, suspension, and disciplining of elected officials, and favor a constitutional amendment providing for recall of elected officials.

State and federal legislators should not be exempt from any laws which they pass that apply to the general population.

Education Budgets—Education budgets should be funded at the beginning of the legislative session as opposed to the end.

Junkets—Far too much money is spent by elected officials on junkets. We favor limits on taxpayers’ money that is spent for these trips. We insist that each state official reimburse the state government for the cost of any family member traveling with them.

Legislative Committees—All votes taken by state legislative committees should be recorded and made public.

Legislator Term Limits—We support term limits of 12 years. After laying out one term, legislators should be eligible to serve again.

Legislators’ Salaries—We favor abolishing the board of legislative compensation, which sets legislators’ salaries. Legislators on the state level should receive salary increases and retirement “enhancements” only by a majority vote of the electorate.

Local Government Funding—We oppose actions taken by the state legislature to redirect state and federal revenues already allocated to support county and municipal government, especially the county road and bridge fund.

Mandates—All state mandated issues should be funded fully and continuously by the state government. Farm Bureau should endeavor to prohibit unfunded mandates on local governments and individuals.

Reorganization of Government—We support the reorganization of state government only if the size and cost of the reorganized government will be reduced and still be responsible to its voting citizens.

We support the requirement that the state of Oklahoma publicly show cost analysis to prove that privatization of any state agency is more cost effective than being run by the state before any privatization can be done.

Retirement Programs for Government Employees—We favor legislation limiting the pensions of retired county and state office holders to the highest single source of income.

We favor legislation limiting the pensions that retired state and federal elected office holders can claim. We favor either smaller amounts per year or a cap of the total they can be paid, limited to the highest single source, in case of multiple pensions.

We recommend repeal of Oklahoma HB 1555 passed by the 1989 Oklahoma Legislature. We further recommend reassessment of all retirement programs for county, state and federal legislators and all government entities, limiting them to a more realistic program closer to private industry standards, with their average base salary being the basis for determining the retirement benefits, rather than the highest base salary.

We favor ending tenure for state employees.

Retirement benefits should be subject to the same taxing regulations as private retirement plans.

Rule Reform—We support a rule approving reform in the Legislature, such as that proposed in HB 2651 (2002). State agencies should enforce laws and not make them.

Legislature should have a vote in it.

Any and all state and federal employees promulgating any regulations shall sign and date the regulation along with their current address and telephone number.

Special Sessions—We recommend that only one special session per year may be called and it will be limited to no more than three weeks.

State Retirement Fund—The Legislature should be prohibited from diverting funds from various state retirement systems to fund state government.

State-Tribal Agreements—We recommend that the law be changed to require approval of state-tribal agreements or compacts by the entire Legislature, rather than by the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations.

We support the position that existing state-tribal nation compacts are invalid, unless and until they have been approved by both houses of the Legislature.

Tax Dollars for Lobbying—Tax dollars should not be used to lobby the Oklahoma State Legislature or Congress, or to influence state questions.

User Fees—We resolve that Users Fees be used as they are intended. Example: disposal fees for tires.

Waste Tire Management Fee—We do not support the continuance of the Waste Tire Management Fee. Also, we oppose any excess fee funds to be transferred into general spending accounts.

If the funds collected are exceeding expended amounts on the tire recycling efforts, then collected fees should be reduced.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau supports the removal of the tire recycling fee on new tires when the old tires are returned to the farm to be used and a valid farm tax number is presented.

Welfare .................................................................................................... 185.3 Jobs, Not Welfare—We recommend support of any state or federal welfare reform which takes people off welfare and puts them back to work in non-government jobs.

Rent Checks—We support any welfare assistance made for rent to be paid in two parties — the landlord and welfare recipients.

Welfare Reform—The present welfare system is shot full of problems created by government regulations which sanction the continuation of abuses. In order to reduce the abuses of the welfare system and to provide a better program for the truly needy, we recommend the following reforms: (a) All able-bodied recipients under age 62 should be required to accept employment when offered and do supervised compensatory service, or be disqualified for future benefits. (b) All school-age children of welfare recipients must maintain regular school attendance for the recipient to continue to receive benefits. (c) The district attorney should be required to institute a dependent and neglected action against any unwed mother filing a second application for benefits under Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). (d) No AFDC payments be made beyond the first child. (e) In order to keep day care centers operating at the lowest possible cost, the federal government should not be allowed to dictate standards for operation. Any such regulation should be by state/local government. (f) We propose that state government investigate each individual application for welfare more closely to ascertain actual need. (g) Requiring recipients to train for jobs, then obtain a job within six months.

Fire Departments ................................................................................... 185.6 Regulations—We urge the state not to over-regulate (NFPA 1500) rural fire departments. If small rural volunteer fire departments are regulated out of existence, insurance rates will rise. We recommend a multi-tiered program for the rural volunteer fire departments in the state regarding their regulations.

Rural Fire Protection—Rural fire protection should include pasture and range land when units are controlling a fire.

State Funding—We propose the state continue funding volunteer fire departments the same as it has in the past.

Volunteer Firefighter Training—We encourage all voluntary fire departments to become involved in the professional training programs available through OSU and others.

Health Department ................................................................................ 185.7 Fees on Rural Water Systems—Whereas the Oklahoma Department of Health presently requires that rural water systems pay a construction permit fee of 10 cents per foot and whereas that amount is frequently a substantial part of the total cost; therefore permit fees required by the Oklahoma Health Department of 10 cents per foot on rural water systems should be suspended.

Corporation Commission ..................................................................... 185.8 Commission Interference with a Lease—We support that no ruling shall be made by officials at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission which has the effect of altering an oil or gas lease.

Customer Complaints—We favor a time frame of three to six months to settle all customers’ complaints made to the Corporation Commission.

Hearing Judges—Corporation Commission cases regarding rate changes and hearings should be addressed directly by the Corporation Commission, not by designated hearing judges.

Jurisdiction—We oppose any movement to remove the oil and gas division from the Corporation Commission.

State, Miscellaneous .............................................................................. 185.9 Certificate of Release—Individuals or institutions that hold mortgages or instruments that would normally require a certificate of release in order that a clear title may be presented, shall upon maturity or other satisfaction of said instruments, file a certificate of release in the county of affected property at their expense within 30 days.

Competitive Biding for Insurance—We support requiring all public institutions to use the competitive bid process for obtaining insurance, unless it is provided through the Oklahoma State Insurance Fund.

DOE—We oppose the formation of a state Department of Energy.

Economic Development—We believe the state must attract more new business enterprises.

The economic development climate can be improved by matching the incentives offered by neighboring states, including enactment of laws favorable to the business community.

HB 2203 Support—We support HB 2203 of the 46th Legislature by Representative Odilia Dank.

Politically Correct Name Changes—We oppose changing the name of historically named objects, sites, and organizations just for the sake of being politically correct.

Tag Agency Disclosure—Whereas tag agencies are governmental agencies, they should make a public disclosure of all funds every six months, similar to bank statements, county commissioners’ proceedings, etc.

Weather Modification Program—We shall not support weather modification with public funds, Oklahoma Farm Bureau funds, or tax revenues.

U.S. Constitution—We support publishing and making available the United States Constitution in printed material to the general public, particularly the school systems.

Interstate Issues .................................................................................. 185.10 Ag Sales Tax Exemption—We support an ag sales tax exemption plan for all states.

Oklahoma needs to have a unilateral agreement to honor each state’s ag exempt tax status (farmer tax exempt number).

Beef Inspections—We support policy that would recognize state inspected beef for interstate shipment, just as if it were federally inspected.

Shared Waterbodies and Watersheds—We would like to recommend that all states with watersheds and streams entering the State of Oklahoma be requested to adhere to and comply with Oklahoma’s animal waste regulations and water quality standards.

NATURAL RESOURCES/ENVIRONMENT .............................................. 190 We believe in sound environmental practices without state and federal agencies placing unrealistic and or non-compliance rules and regulations on our farms.

We recommend the implementation and enforcement of any environmental plans or edicts be left or assigned to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.

Because agriculture continues to be under attack by individuals who do not understand the business of raising livestock or growing crops, we recommend that Oklahoma Farm Bureau protect our property rights by taking a strong stand against environmental groups’ claims of agricultural activities hurting the environment. We also recommend that Farm Bureau stand with the other farm and commodity organizations.

We recommend that agriculture should no longer be regulated by the EPA, but solely regulated by the Department of Agriculture.

We support a strong public relations effort to convey that best management practices are being used by agricultural producers.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau should help influence and develop sound government policies that preserve and enhance the viability of all Oklahoma agriculture producers and educate as to “non-point source” and “point source” pollution in agriculture.

OGLCA—We recommend Farm Bureau continue to support the OGLCA (Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conservation Association).

Minerals/Mineral Rights ........................................................................ 190.1 Abstracting Costs—Any person, corporation or entity filing any document (right-ofway, mortgage, lien, contracts, or any other legal transaction) with a county clerk or registrar of official records shall be responsible for all abstracting costs pertaining to their filing. Failure to pay shall result in a triple damage recovery by the holder of the title to the property. Holders of right of eminent domain shall post a $50,000 bond with the Oklahoma Secretary of State to ensure compliance.

Ad Valorem Tax on Minerals—We recommend mineral owners be required to pay a portion of the ad valorem taxes now assessed on real property.

Escrow Accounts—We support the passage of legislation to require escrow or custodial accounts be established in the state of Oklahoma to protect the funds due royalty owners when such payments are delayed for valid reasons.

Forced Pooling— Forced pooling should not be an accepted practice in Oklahoma. It forces mineral owners to accept smaller bonuses for their leases and favors the oil company over the individual.

Since it seems blatantly unfair for the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to allow a production pooling on the basis of as little as one leased acre in a section, we propose that no

pooling be allowed unless at least 60 percent of the minerals in a spaced unit or at least 60 percent of the known owners are leased previous to the application.

Forced pooling laws were written for the purpose of securing drilling rights of small parcels of minerals with non-resident owners and mineral owners who would not lease or cannot be found. We believe resident owners should have to be contacted in person in obtaining leases. In case it would come to forced pooling, mineral owners should be paid equal to the highest per acre lease bonus and or highest per acre royalty terms in force at the time in the pooled unit, or offset unit.

If an acreage is force-pooled and another formation is produced, permitting smaller spacing, that acreage pool in excess of the small spacing should released from the pooling order.

The lease bonus price paid under a forced pooling application should consider a 25section area centered around the pooled section to discover the highest lease bonus paid, instead of the present 9-section area.

Oil companies must pay the highest price given in the county or adjoining county when forced pooling.

Metering and Measuring—We support the required use of electronic meters and unannounced inspection of such metering devices on gas wells by Corporation Commission employees to ensure accurate measurement and proper payment for all production. Verified reports and records of production, maintained and indexed by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission should be available for the general public and royalty owners’ inspection. We propose increasing fines for inaccurate measurement and improper payment of gas and oil wells and to use the penalties to fund the monitoring program.

We support the Oklahoma Corporation Commission mandating usage of the “Federal Standards of Gas Measurements” as the only measurement of all gas produced in Oklahoma which would insure more accurate and standardized measurement and reporting.

Landowner Protection—We recommend Oklahoma Farm Bureau work for legislation to protect surface owner and lessee rights where oil, gas, coal or other minerals are produced.

Surface damages should not be limited to the initial, anticipated surface damages from production, but also the future annual losses in crop or livestock production, inconvenience, increased cost of operation and continuing damage to the land. Legislation may be needed to deal with damages to land or water supplies caused by seismograph operations.

Because the Corporation Commission oversees the plugging of abandoned oil and gas wells, it should ensure that the landowner is contacted, has given his/her permission for entrance to the well site, and has received just compensation prior to the well being plugged.

We recommend strict enforcement of laws governing the plugging of oil and gas wells and the pulling of casings, in the interest of protecting fresh water supplies.

We oppose HB 1648 or its revised number, related to pipeline easements.

We favor oil and gas companies negotiating with the landowner and tenant farmer as well as the mineral owner, before beginning drilling operations, to ensure fair compensation and consideration for the landowner and tenant farmer.

Landowners need more control pertaining to oil exploration and development. Premiums should be paid for property that has been improved. This would include clearing, planting, terracing and fencing. Owners should be consulted as to their proposed use for the property in the future. Future house and improvement sites should be honored.

An oil company wishing to do a geophysical survey must settle with the surface owner before it can start its operation.

We recommend the following reforms: A. Seismic operators should be required to put up a bond before they enter a site to do seismic operations.

B. Seismic operators or their representatives should be required to enter into good faith negotiation with the landowner and/or lessee before entering to do seismic operations.

C. Seismic operators pay the landowner some damages but neglect to pay the lessee.

They should be required to negotiate with the lessee, also.

D. If negotiations break down, a third party should be appointed to help settle the differences.

We recommend preventing oil and gas drilling within 1,000 feet of a homestead without permission of the surface owner.

We support legislation requiring seismograph holes be plugged properly.

We recommend the following legislation and rules and regulations be enacted so that the oil and gas laws and regulations of this state will more adequately protect the rights of landowners: (a) Oklahoma Farm Bureau will oppose any effort to increase the spacing of land for drilling oil and gas wells beyond the present statutory limitations. (b) Enactment of legislation providing that production from one oil or gas formation does not exceed the primary term of the lease as to non-producing formations. (c) The landowners should have the right to request that the trial examiner of the Corporation Commission hold hearings in the county where the land is located. (d) Enactment of legislation requiring royalty payments to commence within 60 days after sale of oil and gas commences and with payments deferred beyond that time to draw 10 percent interest per annum, compounded quarterly to date of payment.

Lease Alteration—We support that no law be made by the Oklahoma Legislature which has the effect of altering any mineral lease.

Lease Releases—Many times oil and gas leases are not released in a timely manner.

The law should require a release to be filed within 15 days of termination.

Liens on Property—We recommend that liens filed against coal, oil, and gas operators shall not be enforced against the owners of the minerals, unless the operator owns the minerals.

Royalty Owner Protection—Royalty owners should receive from the Commission on request, copies of all contracts concerning his mineral interests they have on file.

We support legislation requiring mineral owners be given written notice 30 days prior to hearings held for oil and gas spacing or for forced pooling, filing of logs, co-mingling of zones, respacing of zones, fracturing of zones not previously produced or any other hearing that would affect the right of mineral owner.

We recommend that anytime a company sells its interest in an oil or gas well that all royalty owners and operators must be notified within 30 days so royalty owners may be kept informed as to who is selling out of the well.

The selling and trading of mineral leases causes the mineral owner to be confused as to the present owner and his current address. Therefore, we recommend enactment of legislation providing that the seller and the purchaser of a lease must notify the mineral owner and surface owner within 30 days of trading or selling a mineral lease.

We recommend that at least once a year all parties, royalty owners included, be informed if a well is out of balance, who is out of balance, and who is in compliance.

Royalty Payments—We support legislation to settle the present stalemate in the court over SB 160. This law provides a way to pay royalty owners for production from oil and gas. Oil companies have sued in federal court to declare the law unconstitutional. The law should include the following provisions: royalty owners should be paid for their share of all production as it is produced; the party to make the payment should be designated and the operator is the one we favor making the payment; if the royalty owners’ accounts are out of balance, they should be balanced once a year. All proceeds held up should be put into a trust account for the owner.

The royalty owners and working interest owners need a payment procedure to where oil and gas producers have to pay within thirty (30) days of receiving the payments from purchaser of oil and gas production. If payment is not made within 30 days, then 1 1/2% interest will have to be paid on the balance.

We oppose Daisy Chain and Transfer Pricing as related to the sale of oil and gas properties through their own subsidiaries.

The Oklahoma Legislature passed a bill that allows gas and oil companies to withhold royalty checks until the amount is $100. This legislation works a hardship on many royalty owners who depend on their royalty checks to pay monthly bills. Additionally, this legislation overrides the royalty owner’s lease, a binding contract, which states the royalty owner will be paid for production each month. We recommend this legislation be repealed.

Should the disburser of oil and gas royalty checks not conform to the Oklahoma Law of what is supposed to be on the checks, they will be assessed a 15% penalty based on the royalty owners check for that month and paid to the royalty owner.

Farm Bureau should work to correct Oklahoma law, which allows oil and gas companies to withhold payment of funds owed on a well in production for an indefinite period of time. Money can be withheld due to activities that are unknown to the royalty owner.

Companies are only required to pay 6% interest on the money that they withhold.

We urge the Corporation Commission to require information on check stubs to provide easily understandable information giving the time period covered, amount of production, price received, volumes, taxes, and the decimal interest of the royalty owner and impose appropriate penalties for not complying with the law.

We recommend to make mandatory on oil and gas royalty check stubs that all sellers are identified by name and number. If not, it is a severe penalty.

SB 1010—The laws created by Senate Bill 1010 (1998) should be changed to eliminate any reference to gas, and should pertain only to oil.

SB 1048—We oppose SB 1048, and ask that it be repealed, regarding shut in royalties.

We opposed SB 1048 and ask that it be amended to: “All unused equipment from a nonproducing well shall be removed at the request of the landowner.”

Severed Ownership—The severance of mineral ownership from surface ownership has resulted in the creation of minute and scattered mineral interests. This increases abstracting costs to landowners, and adversely affects oil and gas exploration because of the difficulty and costs of leasing. We therefore recommend enactment of legislation providing: (a) An opportunity for surface owners to acquire severed mineral interests owned by persons who cannot be located, under the Marketable Title Act, by reversion, prescription, adverse possession, unclaimed property, ad valorem tax or quiet title proceeding. (b) An economical method of consolidation, by the surface owner of those severed mineral interests which are fractionalized into such tiny units that they have no practical value. (c) If owners of unclaimed minerals cannot be found after 20 years, the mineral rights should go back to the surface owners. The surface owners should have the right of first refusal in any sale of unclaimed minerals escheated to the state.

Spacing—We recommend regulations be enacted by the Corporation Commission to require that spacing be based on characteristics of the producing zone.

We oppose any efforts of unitization or forced pooling of more than six hundred forty (640) acres at any depth.

Transportation Costs—We oppose the decision of the Corporation Commission to allow an oil company to charge the mineral owner a portion of the transportation and sales cost of the mineral owner’s share.

Well-Head Auditing—We support well-head flow auditing legislation.

Water/Water Rights ................................................................................ 190.2 Ag as Point Sources—We oppose the classification of agricultural lands as “point sources” of pollution.

Certified Labs—Oklahoma Farm Bureau should support Oklahoma Panhandle State University in their efforts to establish a certified lab to test water. The only certified sites are Oklahoma City and Tulsa and this creates a hardship in transporting samples in the allotted times.

Compact Opposed—We oppose the compact between the State of Oklahoma and the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes to allow control and the sale of our water to Texas or any other entity without full legislative review and approval by the House and the Senate.

Desalinization—We support the desalinization of water taken from bodies of water high in salt that would not pose a threat to local environment to be used for agricultural or domestic purposes.

List of Impaired Waters—A waterbody must be tested and certified annually before it can remain on the state’s 303(d) list of impaired waters.

Neosho River—We support the Kansas-Oklahoma Flood Control Alliance in its mission to control flooding along the Neosho River and to get landowners compensation for flood damages above the already bought flood easements.

Ogallala Aquifer—We are opposed to any use of the Ogallala Aquifer for the establishment of artificial wetlands.

Out of State Sales—The State of Oklahoma should not sell water or water rights to other states. We strongly oppose the use of eminent domain in the proposed sale of water from Oklahoma to Texas.

Red River Desalination Project—We oppose the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project to desalinize the Red River Basin.

Rural Water Districts—OFB supports providing protection of rural water districts from the encroachment by cities and towns. Such action in effect disables the rural water systems and their ability to repay loans. It also hinders their ability to service the remaining fringes of a rural water area.

Total Maximum Daily Loads—We should have representation when the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and other agencies draft formulas for TMDLs. We oppose the use of TMDLs to regulate nonpoint source pollution.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau should oppose the DEQ performing TMDLs for nonpoint source pollution on the streams, tributaries, and lakes of Oklahoma.

Voluntary Monitoring—Oklahoma Farm Bureau should support a voluntary water monitoring program with the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.

Water Laws—Legislation should be enacted to require the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to safeguard the quantity of surface water in springs, lakes and streams and the perpetual supply of groundwater for all property owners in a groundwater basin, when granting permits to persons who sell, or transfer their rights to sell water for use outside the groundwater basin.

OFB supports legislation that the maximum annual water withdrawn from an aquifer should be based on 100 years rather than the present period of 20 years. Water permits should not be allowed to withdraw water in large volumes that infringe on the property rights of other landowners. Oklahoma groundwater law should be changed from a mining law to a law that provides a long term sustainable supply for landowners. This should be a priority issue.

We recommend control of water rights be left with the Water Resources Board.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau should encourage the Oklahoma Legislature to adopt legislation which would prohibit the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s ability to reject a landowner’s water rights based upon a lack of use in previous years.

All underground and surface water rights should remain with the land.

We believe that the Water Resources Board must take into consideration the water rights of all the property owners in a scarce water district before granting permits.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau should support the property owners’ rights to use any water above or below ground on their property, and prevent any legislation requiring usage fees or permits.

We oppose legislation regulating the use of water from farm ponds.

We should make private property water rights legislation a top priority. Prior to any out of state sale of Oklahoma water, 120 days advance notice must be provided to all affected and adjacent landowners.

We favor the following principles in any legislation pertaining to water laws: (a) Priority to upstream soil conservation projects in water rights disputes. (b) Ownership by the landowner of the surface water flowing across his land and not in a definite stream. (c) Support rural water districts, provided the rights of landowners are preserved and protected. (d) Full and detailed information on location, costs and assessed benefits to be given to landowners before conservancy districts are established. (e) Support the upstream flood control program and suggest more emphasis be given to permanent soil conservation practices. (f) Support continued private ownership of underground water. (g) Recommend that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board enact regulations establishing the guidelines under which ground water basin and sub-basin determination will be made. (h) We recommend the use of fresh water in secondary oil recovery be determined as waste. (i) We recommend the Oklahoma Water Resources Board be empowered to reduce the appropriation of water when the user of the water is other than the landowner and the use of the water is not on the land where the water is produced. (j) Local, state and federal agencies should not be allowed to put in or take out any structure that would change in any way the existing flow of water without approval of the affected landowners.

Water Study—Water is a natural resource, not a commodity, and should be protected for residents and producers of Oklahoma with no excess being declared until a 100 year needs study has been made.

Water Quality—We support requiring that any legislation/regulation on water quality be administered through the Department of Agriculture regarding farming and ranching practices.

We support the establishment of base levels on water quality so people will know what to expect on testing.

If agricultural producers have to have threshold levels of nutrients and chemicals, so also should city residents, including golf courses, city parks and businesses.

Documented evidence of compliance with an Animal Waste Management Plan or Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, developed by or endorsed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), should be adequate to demonstrate that a property owner is not contributing to a potential or confirmed impairment of water quality by land application of animal wastes. OFB shall seek to create and support legislation that will exempt such property owner from land use restrictions arising as a result of being located within a Nutrient Limited Watershed or Nutrient Vulnerable Groundwater Area.

We should pursue making the State of Oklahoma require credible data when making water quality impairment decisions.

We support better education for the consumer on water quality issues.

When working on water quality issues, we recommend that Oklahoma Farm Bureau always keep the public informed of all entities adding to water pollution and not only defend agriculture.

Water Use—We support the use of unused municipal water collections for agricultural use.

We recommend that an all out effort be placed on ranking agriculture second in priority for water usage: 1) human consumption, 2) agriculture and 3) industry.

We oppose any attempt by government to restrict the landowner’s use of surface or ground water on his property.

Waters of the State—We oppose designation of wetlands as “waters of the state.”

We oppose Federal or State regulation on non navigable waters.

The state of Oklahoma should exclude all private water and privately owned and operated water structures including farm ponds from waters of the state designation.

Wetlands—We favor the elimination of all mandatory government wetland designation.

We support the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to be the lead agency on environmental issues, such as the definition of wetlands.

Wetlands under private ownership should retain all private property rights and we strongly oppose unauthorized access to privately owned wetlands.

Environment .......................................................................................... 190.3 Fencing—We oppose requiring fencing of rivers, streams, and ponds.

We oppose the fencing of waterways in range and pasture land, or if forced on landowners, the enforcing agency should pay for the fencing of same. Farm Bureau should work to require cities and towns to abide by the same policies on fencing of waterways.

Refineries—We support the easing of environmental regulations to allow oil companies to build additional refineries.

Voluntary Environmental Audits and Checklists-Oklahoma Farm Bureau should support state and national agencies in the confidentiality of voluntary environmental audits. Legislation should provide good-faith immunity for farmers and ranchers who have voluntarily undertaken environmental audits. We also support the development of an Environmental Check-list by Farm Bureau to help farmers and ranchers to keep in compliance with environmental rules and regulations.

Wellhead Protection Areas—We oppose attempts to regulate land use within wellhead protection areas without compensation of the landowners.

Land/Air/Water Pollution ...................................................................... 190.4 Deposit on Beverage Containers—We suggest that Oklahoma Farm Bureau work with neighboring or adjoining state Farm Bureaus with the goal being to get a 3 to 5 state unit to work on a littering law providing for a deposit on beverage containers. If adjoining states do not work with us, then we should have our own 10-cent deposit on all beverage containers.

Grass Carp—We recommend Oklahoma Farm Bureau examine the science behind the recommendation to cities that grass carp be introduced into their water supply lakes to help control the increasing algae problems.

Hazardous Waste—We commend the legislature for enactment of more strict requirements on sites for disposal of hazardous wastes, in order to protect water quality.

No hazardous waste disposals should be placed on federal land.

Landowners whose property values are reduced as a result of construction of a hazardous waste disposal site should be paid damages, by the owner/operator of the site, even though their land was not actually taken.

We recognize that sites must be found for disposal of these materials. We continue to insist that “state of the art” methods be used, even though it means higher costs for the production of machines and supplies which generate the waste.

We support renewed research of methods for recycling and better treatment methods to lessen the need for disposal sites. Treatment of wastes at the factory should be required.

We urge the state Farm Bureau to provide information about new technologies and about any proposed new disposal sites.

OFB opposes hazardous waste transported from other states for disposal into Oklahoma.

We oppose any hazardous waste and or toxic sludge from other states being transported into Oklahoma.

We recommend the state legislature raise the hazardous waste dump fee to the fee of the state of origin.

Illegal Dumping—We support more strict enforcement of laws against the illegal dumping of waste on private, county and state property.

Littering Penalties—We propose that first time offenders clean up their trash and be imposed with a fine. Second time offenders should receive a large fine plus jail time or community service.

Oil and Gas Related Pollution— We support a Corporation Commission rule change regarding the removal of drilling fluids from reserve pits at the landowners request.

Pollution from oil and gas operations continues to be a problem for landowners and all levels of government. (a) We oppose importation of salt water from other states for disposal. (b) Laws and regulations governing filling of drilling pits should be strengthened. Topsoil should be stockpiled for use in restoring drilling sites as directed by the surface owner. (c) Strict standards should be set and enforced by the Corporation Commission concerning the type of casing, how it is set and monitored by salt water disposal wells and for any connecting pipeline. A monitoring water well should be drilled nearby to help in detecting leakage from the disposal well. Permission of landowner shall be required before bringing salt water in for disposal. (d) The Corporation Commission should be required to send notification to the local conservation district as to the oil or gas well to be staked, so that a soil conservation agreement may be obtained and conservation practices instituted. (e) Oil operators using high pressure injection fracturing procedures should be required to use tanks to receive the backflow water to be hauled from the location, to an approved disposal site. (f) The Health Department should be required to sample domestic water before drilling starts and to monitor water quality thereafter, in order for the responsibility for pollution to be determined. Existing laws should be more rigidly enforced. (g) We support a set length of time of six months in which an oil company must clean up an oil site. We support requiring oil companies to clean up drilling sites and to return the market value of the land to what it was before drilling, as presented in SB 476 in the 45th Legislature.

Out of State Trash—We oppose hauling trash from out-of-state into landfills in Oklahoma.

Pollution Control—The pollution of land, water and air is a serious problem. We feel consideration should be given to legislative and regulatory implementation of the following: (a) Adequate financing of the Pollution Control Coordinating Board and the pollution activities of its member agencies. (b) Enactment of rules and regulations designed to control the industrial emission of harmful and noxious gas and elements into the air. (c) Proper plugging of all wells not in use. (d) Strict enforcement of laws governing the disposal of trash and urge prosecution of those dumping trash in unauthorized places. (e) No dumping of waste material from Oklahoma or any other state in our rivers, creeks and streams. (f) Farm Bureau monitor closely the regulation on non-point source pollution and take action to protect rights of landowners. (g) Violation of water pollution laws be handled on a case-by-case basis where actual source of pollution can be identified.

Recycling—We encourage Oklahoma to develop a recycling program and encourage biodegradable packaging.

We support the development of increased recycle points and collection availability.

Rural Trash Dumps—We resolve that Farm Bureau actively pursue the monitoring of rural license trash dumps.

Surface Mining—We recommend Oklahoma Farm Bureau exert efforts toward new legislation or strict enforcement of present laws regarding the reclaiming of land disturbed by mining operations. Coal companies should be required to deal with the surface owners as well as with the mineral owners. Prime farm land (Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3) should be reclaimed as prime farm land, regardless of its use after stripping has ceased.

Trash Cop—We encourage legislation that would increase current funding for the county trash cop program and make such funding permanent.

Trash Pickup Services—Rural residents should not be forced to participate in household trash pickup services if they have other viable plans in effect.

Waste Water—Municipalities cannot dump wastewater on private property without approval from the landowner.

Ag Chemicals ........................................................................................ 190.5 We support the environmentally prudent use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

We recommend that AFBF and state Farm Bureaus take a more active part in educating the public and media on the proper use of pesticides and herbicides.

All private applications by agricultural and urban residential users of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers should be subject to the same regulatory rules.

We oppose the radical bans of ag chemicals such as the “Big Green” initiative in California.

2 x 7.5 American’s Dairy Best

December 2002 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • 7

DODGE RAM HEAVY DUT Y. The all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty features engines like the 345 hp* 5.7 liter HEMI® Magnum® and the Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel** with 555 lb-ft of torque, plus it’s Job-Rated™ to handle almost anything—even jealousy. With the most powerful, longest-lasting line of trucks,† you’ll be tempted not to use anything else to get the job done. Now qualified Farm Bureau® members get an additional $500 cash allowance†† on the all-new Ram Heavy Duty. For more info, visit dodge.com or call 877-ONTHEJOB.

*Depending on model. **Not available in Calif., Maine, and Mass. †Based on percentage of 7/82-7/01 new pickup registrations still registered on 7/01/01. ††To receive cash allowance, get a certificate from your state’s Farm Bureau validating that you’ve been a member for at least 30 days. Offer applies to most 2003 Dodge vehicles. Ask your Dodge Dealer or Farm Bureau representative for details. Farm Bureau is a registered service mark of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

8 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • December 2002

December 2002 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • 9

Chemical Disposal—We propose that the State of Oklahoma develop a program to dispose of chemicals and containers.

Transportation Exemption—We support the hazardous chemical transportation exemption currently held by farmers and ranchers.

Conservation ........................................................................................ 190.6 Agricultural Burning—Legislation should be enacted to encourage more prescribed burning to control invasive species and restore native ecosystems.

We oppose any regulations and legislation that restrict agricultural burning .

Any farm that is 40 acres or larger and located in a municipality, should fall under the State Fire Marshall’s jurisdiction. This will allow farmers to use controlled burning for agricultural purposes.

We support increased agricultural burning to control noxious weeds and eastern red cedars.

Conservation Practices—We oppose granting to any agency, state or federal, the power to require conservation practices of landowners.

Cost Share Programs—We support the state and national funding of conservation cost share programs and encourage the Legislature to make additional funding available so producers can better address the problems of soil erosion and water quality.

We support a cost share program granting $35,000 per year to each conservation district from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.

CREP—OFB should pursue state matching funds for CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) throughout the state.

Filter/Buffer Strips—We support voluntary cooperative programs to develop filter/buffer strips. We oppose mandatory programs.

Hay for Erosion Control—We believe that a biodegradable material, such as hay, should be used for erosion control on construction sites instead of tar or plastic.

Soil Testing—We strongly advocate soil testing on farms by individual farmers, who in turn could control run-off on their property without fear or government intervention.

NOXIOUS WEEDS ................................................................................... 200 Advisory Committee Supported—We support an Invasive Species Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Agriculture mad e up of producers.

Noxious Weed Program—We urge a program to eradicate musk thistle and bindweed from Oklahoma.

We support a program funded by the state to control unwanted weeds and brush on state and county road rights-of-way.

We want to work to add mesquite and Eastern Red Cedar trees.

Railroads should control these plant pests on their rights-of-way.

These programs should involve individuals, counties, cities and others in a cooperative program to control or eradicate unwanted weeds and brush.

We recommend prohibiting the sale of any feed or seed containing noxious weeds in the state of Oklahoma.

State Land Management—All state agencies should control noxious weeds and poisonous plants on state agencies’ lands.

Timing of Spraying—We recommend counties spray for noxious weeds and brush on rights-of-way within a controlled time frame that will not harm crops.

PROPERTY ................................................................................................ 210 Complaints Against Landowners—If a complaint is filed against a landowner, the document shall be signed by the subject or subjects before it is executed and made available for review by the landowner. In the event the complaint goes to court and is dismissed or defeated, the person bringing the suit shall be liable for the other party’s court costs and attorney fees.

Compensation for Restrictions—We support compensating property owners when their use of real property is restricted by an environmental statute or regulation.

Electric Lines—Be it resolved that all electric companies be required to raise electric lines if so requested by farmers.

Foreign Ownership of Ag Land—Oklahoma Farm Bureau opposes ownership of Oklahoma agricultural land by foreign corporations.

Notification of Claim—A person or financial institution who requests a claim, or claims a set-off, or names himself as a co-receiver of moneys of another person, must notify that other person or business by certified letter, return receipt requested, of such action. Failure to do so would be the basis for a civil action.

Notification of Damage—We recommend that, after an accident, all law enforcement officers should be required to notify landowners or tenants of any known damages to fences or property immediately after they occur.

Rental Owner Protection—We recommend OFB work to protect owners of rental property, so that in the event unauthorized use of property occurs, property owners will not be responsible for the cost of hazardous materials cleanup.

Unclaimed Property—The State of Oklahoma should be required to quote amounts in unclaimed property, in order for the person named to realize if it is worth proceeding with trying to recover. Heirs or their assigns should have access to Oklahoma Tax Commission records.

Property Rights .................................................................................... 210.1 Easements—We urge that any easements not being used be returned to the property owner.

Entrance Opposed—We oppose the entrance of private property by government agencies or individuals without permission or warrants, except for emergency responses. The ODA and DEQ are included.

Government Confiscation—Farm Bureau should vigorously oppose any more land being confiscated for federal parks, heritage sites, wild and scenic rivers, species preservation or wildlife preserves. Landowners should be paid a premium market price for any land taken, over our protests, for these schemes. Landowners, whose land is not confiscated but regulated, should be paid for their compliance according to damage done to their operation.

Indemnification—We support indemnification for private property owners for damage done to property, animals or humans as result of management of state-owned property be it land, animals, vectors of disease, plants or insects using state protected lands as a reservoir for their existence and multiplication.

Neighbor Notification—We amend the present applicable state statutes to include: When an application for a permit (mining, streamwater diversion, etc.) is filed, nearby landowners who may be affected by the issuance of the permit must be individually notified.

Private Property Rights A Priority—We recommend that the Oklahoma Farm Bureau continue to make private property rights a priority issue. We further support a position that strongly encourages the Oklahoma Farm Bureau to consider the impact any legislation would have on the rights of the private property owner.

Posting of Private Property—Private property need not be posted for protection under the trespassing law. You don’t own it. Don’t go on it.

All private land should be considered posted automatically.

State law should be changed regarding posting of property, similar to the Purple Paint Law in Arkansas, which allows posting by signs or by paint. The color should be designated by the Oklahoma Forestry Department. We feel this will be an easier, more permanent and less expensive method of posting property statewide.

Property Rights—We support legislation protecting the rights and property of private property owners against animal rights activists and environmental activists. We further resolve that a bill comparable to Arizona’s House Bill 2236 should be enacted.

We strongly support the principle of Private Property Rights as granted to the people by the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Farm Bureau should strongly oppose land use restrictions on private agriculture property and work vigorously to counteract public opinion about agriculture’s harm to the environment.

Sign Regulation—We recommend that signs on private property, which advertise your own business or non-profit organization, not be regulated by ODOT, state or federal agencies.

Trespassing—We urge more effective enforcement by county and state law enforcement agencies of existing laws with respect to trespassing, hunting, illegal entrance on and the destruction of private property.

We recommend enactment of legislation requiring that the written consent of the landowner or lessee in control of the property be required before legal entry upon such land can be made and that such party, with or without consent to enter, enters at his own risk.

We recommend enactment of legislation requiring that the written or oral consent of the landowner or lessee in control of the property be required before legal entry upon such land can be made and that such party, with or without consent to enter, enters at his own risk.

We recommend any person crossing private property, with or without consent, be liable for property damage and/or personal injury incurred while on the property.

We support elimination of landowners liability for trespassers.

Hunting without permission should be considered trespassing, whether or not property is properly posted.

Trespassing Penalties—We support stronger criminal penalties for willfully or maliciously entering the property of another. We feel that these penalties should carry a fine not to exceed $4,000 and or confinement in jail not to exceed one year.

Trespass and hunting without permission should have stiffer penalties, and a game warden or sheriff should have identical enforcement authority regarding both violations or the law.

We support a change in the law making it a felony for trespassers to cut fences to gain access to others’ property.

Eminent Domain ................................................................................... 210.2 Dispute Resolution—We recommend that eminent domain laws require the taking party to completely resolve any disputes with the land owner prior to occupation of said property.

Eminent Domain—Farm Bureau opposes any legislation that causes the continued encroachment of farm lands by federal, state and or local government, or any legislation that would hinder or affect property rights.

We request legislation be passed that protects private property rights and prevents the taking of private property and the use thereof, and if any property be so designated, that just and proper compensation be addressed.

We believe land acquired by condemnation under the eminent domain statutes should have a settlement value of not less than 150 percent of appraised value.

State and national laws for acquisition of land by eminent domain have proven in their administration to be unfair to the property owner. We therefore recommend complete revision of these laws and suggest the following protective features be added: (a) Residents of the area affected should have an opportunity to object to acquisition of a substantial size, and acquisition of large areas should require the consent of the state legislature. (b) Business interruption and removal and relocation expenses should be paid. (c) The original owner, his heirs or successors in title, should be given preferential leasing and purchase rights with the resale price fixed at the original sale price. (d) The landowner should be given the right to accept either an annual rental or the fair cash market value. (e) Mineral rights should not be condemned. (f) The acquiring agency should be required to offer not less than the amount their own appraisers fix as the fair cash value. (g) The landowner should be reimbursed for private appraisal costs and legal fees if he prevails in the case. (h) The reinvestment requirement of the income tax laws should be removed. (i) Excess condemned land should be required to be resold. (j) Prime consideration be given to payment of adequate severance damages and proper provision be made for ingress and egress to the remaining farm land. (k) We favor notification of landowners prior to any work that might ultimately bring about an eminent domain action against that landowner. (l) When right of way is obtained by eminent domain, such right of way shall have a termination date no later than the tax depletion life. (m) Some governmental units and private industries which have the right of condemnation exercise those powers without public hearings or consideration of alternative plans for accomplishing their objective. The landowner’s only practical recourse is to go to court and argue over the amount to be paid. In any proposal involving condemnation of land or easement, there should be a hearing in district court, which would cause the least distress and financial burden to landowners and balance those considerations against the cost to the condemning party. (n) We favor legislation that limits broad condemnation authority. We oppose the use of eminent domain for the acquisition of lands for parks and recreation.

However, since property owners rights are under constant bombardment, we should take the initiative to protect the erosion of property rights. The use of eminent domain should only be used as a last resort. Utility companies should attempt to follow existing property boundaries and section lines. Care should be taken by utility companies to work with landowners to avoid unnecessary intrusion on property rights.

Endangered Species—We are opposed to the use of government funds and eminent domain to acquire land believed to be the habitat of endangered species.

Landowner Protection—In condemnation actions, each appraiser submitting an appraisal of real estate to a court must accompany his appraisal with photos of the property and photos of his comparable with a diagram showing the points from which the photos were taken. (a) The per acre value must be obtained by comparing the amount of land being condemned to sales of a comparable size of land. (b) Since this is an unwilling sale the landowner shall receive additional compensation. If the acreage taken is frontage or will limit the owner’s use of his land in any way, he must receive additional compensation. (c) At the owner’s option, the person condemning the land must purchase any land separated from the main body by roads, structures, or anything else that results from the condemning action that makes its use uneconomical or its sale difficult. (d) Any use of land by agents of the condemning party outside of purchased or condemned temporary rights-of-way, without prior settlement with the surface owner, shall cause the principal funding the project to pay the landowner at a rate triple the purchase or condemned temporary rights-of-way rate. (Land and engineering divisions regularly set temporary rights-of-way too narrow for construction needs, which forces the landowner to try for additional money from the construction firm with whom he has no contract. They will pay only minimum crop damages - no land use or damage.) (e) The temporary rights-of-way contract shall be for a stated period and any use of the land past this date shall cause the principal to pay the land owner at a daily rate double the original contract. If the extended use causes loss of another year’s crop, the landowner must be compensated for this loss. (f) Before construction starts, the temporary right-of-way shall be defined by stakes that are easily seen. (g) Land shall be returned to the original contour with all terraces, drainage ditches, etc., restored unless the landowner grants exceptions in writing.

Adverse Possession ............................................................................. 210.3 Adverse Possession—Current Oklahoma law allows for adverse possession, or squatter’s rights, after a period of 15 years. We believe this law is unfair and should be repealed. Failing that, the law should be amended to provide that payment of ad valorem taxes would constitute evidence of ownership.

Titles/Abstracts ..................................................................................... 210.4 Abstract Costs—Abstracts of title can be significantly enlarged and the costs of abstracting greatly increased by actions of owners of severed mineral interests. We ask the state board to review this situation and determine if legislation could require the severed mineral owner to provide to the surface owner a free copy of the updated abstract, or to otherwise share in the increased cost of the abstract.

Improper Filings—We support legislation requiring banks, oil companies and others who file false or improper information to compensate affected landowners for any abstracting or other actual costs they incur due to improper filing.

We oppose the unsubstantiated filing of documents that might cloud the titles of property owners.

Wills and Succession .......................................................................... 210.5 Oil-Gas Probates—Probate of estates associated with oil, gas and mineral leases should not be required to be recorded in the abstracts on said leased property. An affidavit certifying the probate should be used rather than having all the probate proceedings in the abstract.

Simplified Probate Code—We recommend that Farm Bureau take the lead and encourage other state organizations to strive for a simplified probate code.

Easements ............................................................................................. 210.6 We urge legislation requiring a Natural Resources Conservation District-approved plan for changing existing facilities to be in place before any such dirt work may begin by any entity other than the landowner or leaseholder to insure a minimum amount of damage to all land involved. It would appear that landowners and leaseholders have little protection from those entities, be they oilfield companies, private contractors, road builders, etc., for damages resulting from dirt work done while laying pipelines or changing existing bar ditches.

All pipeline companies crossing agricultural land should be liable for the cost of moving such lines, in the event any future soil conservation practices need to be done.

Easement Maintenance—Utility companies should either maintain their easement or pay the landowner/tenant to maintain it.

Easement Reversion—All railroad rights-of-way resulting from reversionary easements should revert back to the present property owner if abandoned. If the rights-of-way were purchased and such rights-of-way then abandoned, then the present adjoining land owner should be given the first right to purchase.

Easement Termination—We recommend that all easements shall automatically terminate at any time the land is no longer used for the original purpose of the easement.

Ordinances—We believe that no city government should pass an ordinance that supersedes a state ordinance.

Re-Opening Rights-of-Way—All highway rights-of-way that have been abandoned can only be opened with mutual consent of all involved property owners.

10 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • December 2002

PUBLIC LAND .......................................................................................... 220 Excess Property—Real property owned by the federal government in Oklahoma that is declared excess should not be transferred to any individual or entity without just compensation.

Government Maintenance of Property—Fences on government land need to be maintained by the government.

We support legislation requiring agencies developing wildlife preserves and other recreational areas to maintain fences and exhaust all efforts to insure that privatelyowned property is not subjected to trespassing or vandalism.

Grazing Leases—We oppose the ruling on the four-month grazing ruling on lands around lake areas. We favor the 12-month grazing that has been in effect, with the over-grazing rules enforced.

Tax in Lieu on Land—We support legislation requiring state agencies holding title to land to pay an equal amount in lieu of ad valorem tax.

Illinois River—We oppose the classification of the Illinois River as a National Wild and Scenic River.

Red River—We are opposed to any state and federal government agency proposals for potential wildlife habitats, parks, “wetlands” preserves, hiking/biking recreational areas, wilderness designations, game preserves and Wild and Scenic River designation on the Red River. All land should remain in private ownership.

School Land .......................................................................................... 220.1 We recommend the following in School Land administration: (a) Offer more “conservation leases” which allow for long terms (Enabling Act allows up to 10 years) to allow needed practices to be carried out, including liming, establishing alfalfa or clover and other long term conservation and management practices. Leases should be a minimum of five years. The interests of lessees of school land and the school children of Oklahoma are compatible. The obligation of the state is to manage the property in such a way that the land will be productive for future generations, yielding a return for the school children in the future, as well as those of today. The lessee cannot afford to manage the land productively and wisely, if he has no reasonable assurance he can renew his lease on terms that consider current commodity prices and conditions. (b) Lease payments could be flexible to allow the lessee to contract for the needed work and to allow fluctuating commodity prices to be considered in the rate setting.

The conditions should be announced as a part of the public auction, so that all who bid will know the obligations of both parties. (c) Perhaps the CLO should have an action in its minutes instructing staff to prepare a study to show long range benefits to the school children of such conservation leases compared to NOT spending the money for conservation, or reducing lease income for a few years while work is being done. This could be useful if it should become necessary to justify conservation expenses in a court of law. (d) The proposed lease sale should be an absolute auction, with no minimum bid or sealed bids. (e) We urge the Commissioners of the Land Office to resume making agricultural real estate loans to individuals receiving 50 percent of their gross income from farming. (f) We recommend that the board of directors of Oklahoma Farm Bureau continue to use a special committee, from time to time, to advise the board on the problems of school land leases. Many of the recommendations of previous committees have been implemented by regulation or legislation.

We make the following recommendations or additional changes in administration of the School Land: (1) The Commission use all allocated money for improvement and upkeep.

(2) The Commission not charge for easements for water or sewer and other utility districts.

(3) The Commission participate cooperatively in efforts to control noxious weeds, prevent flooding and conserve soil and water resources.

(4) That the Commission sell, within a reasonable time, all land repossessed by loan default.

(5) The Commission shall grant lessees the right to control hunting and fishing on land under lease.

(6) The Commissioners of the Land Office should follow the Constitution and be prohibited from advertising school land for hunting and fishing. Management changes are needed at the CLO. (7) We recommend that the School Land Commission consult and work with the lessee as to best time to do soil conservation work of school land.

Administrative Costs—If school land continues to be leased we urge capping the administrative cost of leasing at 25 percent; the current 45 percent is excessive.

Agriculture Use Only—All state school land should be leased for agricultural purposes only; i.e., no leases for hunting, camping, fishing and recreation.

Auction Locations—Public school land auctions should be conducted in the county seat where the school land is located.

Create Loan Program—We support a farmer/rancher loan program with revenue received from school land leases, less administrative cost, being used to finance the program by earning a higher rate or yield than is presently being earned to increase funding for schools.

Double Cropping Policy—In view of the fact that farming practices have changed with no-till continuous cropping practices, the School Land Commission policy of no double cropping is obsolete and should be removed from School Land policy.

Lessee Protection—We propose that a new lessee on school land not be allowed to jeopardize a former lessee’s participation in a government program.

Agricultural school land lessees should be protected from revocation during the term of the lease.

Lessees of school land should have final decision on hunting or fishing on school land.

Return Funds to County—We recommend taking a portion of the annual rent of school land, in amounts equal to the ad valorem taxes that would have been paid, and sending it back to the counties of origin.

Sale of School Land—All school land, other than that repossessed, is kept by the state of Oklahoma and held in trust for our school children. If all school land is to be sold, we recommend it should be in an orderly and organized fashion and the money be placed in a permanent trust fund. We favor the state financing the purchase of school land.

State Acquisition ................................................................................. 220.2 Army Corps of Engineers—We are in favor of any properties acquired by the Army Corps of Engineers for a specific project or purpose should not be given, leased or sold to any commission or government entity when that project or purpose is abandoned. The properties should be offered back to the last owner at no increase in price. If that previous owner declines the offer, then the properties should be sold back into private ownership by auction.

Land Acquisition by Government—We oppose any net increase in government ownership of real estate.

We oppose the acquisition of large tracts being acquired by private funds for the purpose of donating or selling it to a government agency.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau should oppose the use of public moneys for the purchase of private lands or abandoned railroad rights-of-way that would be used as hiking trails, public access areas, or wilderness areas.

We are opposed to FmHA or any agencies restricting the use of farm or ranch land in the deed when transferring the land to private entities. We deplore the practice of the Oklahoma Wildlife Commission acquiring lands held by the FmHA or placing easement restrictions on such land.

There now exists a strong desire by state and federal agencies as well as private non-profit groups to acquire control of untold thousands of acres of farm and ranch land for wildlife preservation and/or outdoor recreation.

A coalition has been formed between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FmHA which allows control to be attained on any property that has been foreclosed, and is in FmHA inventory.

By this method U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service can select properties for this program without impact studies, or any kind of public debate or notification.

We deplore and oppose this tactic and urge legislation to stop this land grab.

We also oppose the American Heritage Trust Act of 1988 introduced in Congress to enable the federal government to spend $1 billion a year for land acquisition outside the normal congressional appropriations process for use as outdoor recreation and historical preservation.

We oppose the Wildlife Department buying up land for its department. The state Wildlife Department has acquired land which it leases for farming purposes. Recent studies have shown that well-managed grazing can actually improve wildlife habitat.

These lands should be leased for grazing purposes, also.

Rails-to-Trails—We oppose the national “rails-to-trails” act and the state of Oklahoma acquiring abandoned railroad land for recreational use. Land acquired by easements should revert to the adjacent landowner.

SAFETY AND HEALTH ............................................................................ 230 Bicyclists—We propose that it be public knowledge that all bicyclists are required to abide by the same laws as motor vehicles. We feel that bicyclists should be required to affix safety warning signs to their bicycles to be able to ride on highways, and cannot

interfere with automobile traffic.

CRP Fire Guard—We recommend that no less than a 30-foot fireguard be maintained on CRP ground where it borders any homesite.

Emergency Communication—We encourage improvement of communication between state, county, and local law enforcement and emergency personnel in times of emergency.

Eye Exams for Drivers License—Prior to a person receiving or renewing a drivers license, he must pass an eye examination certifying he has competent vision to drive.

Mining—We oppose mining within one mile of an existing residence without written permission from the resident. Current blasting levels should be reduced by 50%, with sonic and seismic levels monitored.

Railroad Debris—Railroad debris such as crossties pose a fire and health danger.

Companies should be required to clean up such debris in a reasonable time.

Railroad Safety—We recommend the Corporation Commission require railroads to maintain adequate crossings to be not less than the width of the road. The Commission should also require maintenance of rights-of-way fences, adequate visibility at intersections and/or flashing warning lights in areas where visibility is restricted and maintain fire-retarding equipment now required on locomotives.

Road Safety—We recommend strict enforcement of the present laws regarding the placement of signs and billboards on highways, rights-of-way, and on streets and highway intersections to insure adequate visibility for automobile drivers. We urge regular mowing of rights of way by the agency of government responsible. (See also Noxious Weeds 200).

Service Vehicle Lights—We would like to see all service vehicles have a flashing warning light for safety when stopped for pick-up on rural roads or highways.

Train Lighting—We support legislation requiring strobe lights be on the lead car of all trains and reflectors on the side of all rail cars.

Medical Care ......................................................................................... 230.2 Deduction of Premiums—We propose that the total amount spent on medical cost and insurance premiums be deductible from state income tax for self-employed persons.

Equalize Indigent Reimbursement—We favor equalization of the payment for indigent care patients from Department of Human Services (DHS), Health Education and Welfare (HEW) and Medicare to Tulsa and rural hospitals comparable to the Oklahoma City hospitals.

Equalize Urban-Rural Compensation—We support equal compensation for services between urban and rural hospitals with Medicaid and other federal and state aid.

Health Insurance—Health insurance costs are unaffordable Reform is needed.

Medical Research—We favor the continued use of unclaimed animals for medical research.

Mental Patients—We recommend that the state establish a program for responsible care for patients dismissed from state mental hospitals.

Nursing Homes—We recommend more unannounced inspections in nursing homes, especially in the kitchen.

Patient Needs—OFB supports the right of physicians to determine the needs of the patient, instead of the insurance company.

Socialized Medicine—We are opposed to any form of socialized medicine.

However, OFB should encourage tort reform, caps on malpractice lawsuits, etc., for its members to obtain economical, adequate health care.

Repeal New Fee—One of the provisions under House Bill 2019 of the 2000 legislative session was the new $4 per day fee on all nursing home residents. We ask for the immediate repeal.

Food Safety ........................................................................................... 230.5 Blood Test—We favor the reenactment of the law requiring food handlers to pass a blood test for communicable diseases before employment and annually thereafter.

Tuberculosis Testing—Farm Bureau should pursue making tuberculosis testing a part of the food handlers test.

SOCIAL ISSUES ....................................................................................... 240 Display Motto—We encourage the display of the National Motto “In God We Trust” in schools and other public buildings through our nation.

Family Issues ....................................................................................... 240.3 Abortion—We oppose abortions, except for cases of rape, incest or life threatening condition of the mother.

Family Strength—We believe the strength of our society is in the family. The encouragement of the family unit, where morals, obligations, responsibilities and work ethics are exemplified and taught, is of paramount importance. This must be considered an individual and local responsibility.

We vigorously oppose any funding or support of programs that contribute to the breakdown of the family.

Health Clinics—There is a nationwide movement to establish a model health clinic offering a wide range of health services, including birth control and referrals for abortion in high schools. We oppose every effort to promote the high school health clinic movement as an intolerable threat to traditional religious liberty, family life and health itself.

Missing Children—We support legislation requiring immediate search be started for missing children with no waiting period.

Pornography—The Supreme Court ruled that printed material that offends local public decency can be ruled obscene. We recommend that Farm Bureau work to stop the sale of pornographic materials in our state.

Same Sex Relationships—We urge state and federal lawmakers to not grant special privileges, such as minority status, to homosexuals or lesbians.

We oppose same sex marriage.

We recommend same-sex marriages and/or domestic partners should not receive spousal employee benefits.

Status of Women—We recommend that the Governor of Oklahoma be requested to abolish the advisory committee on Status of Women.

Teen Pregnancy—Oklahoma has a very high rate of teen pregnancies. We believe there may be merit in the law passed in 1985 by Wisconsin, under which both sets of parents of such teenage parents can, in certain circumstances, be held financially responsible for the care of their infant grandchild. We urge the legislature to study the Wisconsin law to see if it has reduced the incidence of teenage pregnancies.

Lotteries and Casinos ......................................................................... 240.4 Lotteries and Casinos—We oppose casino style gambling and state run lotteries.

We recommend abolishing off-track betting.

Raffles—We support allowing nonprofit organizations to hold raffles.

TAXES/FEES ............................................................................................ 250 General Tax Statement We support reducing state spending before any new taxes.

We recommend that all consumers within the borders of Oklahoma be required to pay state fuel taxes on fuel used on state and federal roads, excise tax on automobiles, and cigarette taxes. We urge our legislators to work toward that end.

People on Indian lands should not be allowed to sell non-taxable items they don’t produce.

We recommend creating a Taxpayers Bill of Rights for the State of Oklahoma like the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

Elsewhere in these policies are statements calling for changes that will save money for the state and other units of government.

We insist that the state, for example, repeal the prevailing wage law, which increases construction costs for all government entities. As another example, the legislature has increased retirement benefits for itself and for state, county and school district employees which are more generous than most private businesses. The state has also mandated many new duties and reports on local units of governments, increasing those costs.

Likewise, the Congress has burdened the states with new programs and new costs.

We suggest the legislature ask Congress to reduce the ever-growing burden of federal regulations, as a method to decrease cost of state government.

Ad Valorem ........................................................................................... 250.1 Oklahoma Farm Bureau has long been critical of the ad valorem tax as a very unfair system which no longer has any relationship to citizens’ ability to pay. Because the ad valorem tax is unfair and a smaller and smaller segment of the population is paying a larger and larger share, we urge a more equitable system be implemented, such as a sales tax in place of the ad valorem tax.

We oppose increases in ad valorem taxes, but if any additional revenues are needed, we would favor use of sales or income taxes which have a broader usage base.

We vigorously oppose any increase in the millage limits and object to lowering the approval of bonds from 60 percent to a bare majority vote.

We oppose increases in all personal and property tax assessment ratios by the State Equalization Board without a statewide super-majority (60%) vote of the people.

We recommend all property owners pay ad valorem taxes, regardless of ownership,

including non-profit, all government and current exempt entities, etc. The tax revenue should remain in the county were the property is located.

The ad valorem system still has many loopholes. Much personal property escapes taxation. It is difficult to keep track of moveable property. Favoritism still gives some taxpayers lower taxes.

In addition we recommend: (a) The county Equalization Board member appointed by the county commissioners should be a farmer or rancher, and the power of the district judge to appoint a member should be continued. (b) We recommend the money from public service assessments be collected and dispensed within the taxing unit where the property is located. (c) We recommend only ad valorem taxpayers be allowed to vote on ad valorem tax-increasing elections. (d) We recommend that before any programs are initiated involving bond issues or increased taxes, the people be informed on the matter by public hearing in the area involved. (e) We oppose exempting government-acquired land from ad valorem taxes. The Nature Conservancy and other similar organizations should pay property taxes. We oppose any ad valorem taxes for worship centers and parsonages. Religious institutions’ commercial real property should pay ad valorem taxes. (f) When CRP contracts expire, the land should be taxed according to its use. (g) Tax Increment Financing should be repealed. TIF is a process whereby a local taxing entity such as a city takes ad valorem taxes which should go to a county or other local taxing entity and gives the money to new business to move to town, usually in conjunction with ad valorem tax abatements. (h) We oppose any taxes being levied on farm-stored grain. (i) We oppose the current abuse of granting ad valorem tax exemptions based on research and development or manufacturing which are being granted by county assessors, and reimbursed by state funds.

Ad Valorem Cap—We support an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution, to be voted on by the people, calling for support of a cap on ad valorem tax increases to 1% a year.

Ad Valorem Division—We recommend the Ad Valorem Division not be separated from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Ag Value—Farm homes and agricultural lands should not be taxed on the same basis as adjacent subdivision houses and lots. The Oklahoma Tax Commission should be prohibited from manipulating the current land use formula to raise taxes.

CRP Land—CRP land should be classified as crop land on the ad valorem tax rolls as long as it is in the CRP program.

Local Assessment—We favor that all ad valorem taxed real property, including public utilities, be under the jurisdiction of the elected local county assessor and not be assessed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Protested Taxes—On protested taxes, the legislature should lower the amount of tax revenue funds which can be withheld from local schools and county government.

Training for Assessors—In order to ensure equalization of ad valorem values across the state we recommend the following: (a) Require county assessors to be properly trained. (b) Require county assessors to have properly trained assistants. (c) The Tax Commission must provide in cooperation with OSU the training and guidelines and handbooks as required by the state Equalization Board for the assessors and their assistants. (d) We support efforts to make available to the county assessors computers and computer programs needed to appraise and assess property in the county. (This should cut costs significantly once the information is on computer.)

True Land Use—We recommend that the Oklahoma Tax Commission amend the current formula on farm land to reflect the true use when nature or governmental rules affect the soil type that is used in the tax base. Those conditions are, but not limited to, wetlands, highly erodible lands, flood plains, SCS flood structures, and saline spots.

Revaluation ........................................................................................... 250.2 Revaluation of Ad Valorem Taxes—We recommend revaluation, which is required for each county every five years, to be performed by local personnel familiar with county property values. After revaluation, the new appraisals should be applied the same year for all property within the county. When revaluation results in an unusually large number of protests, we urge county equalization boards to allow additional opportunities for protesting taxpayers to be heard.

Cap Too High—Ad valorem taxes should not be allowed to go up 5% each year.

Agricultural property should be valued at use value.

Appraisal/Assessment ........................................................................ 250.3 Final Assessment—County assessors in each county of Oklahoma shall review all assessments made by the Ad Valorem Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission and render final assessment based upon current and accepted methods of assessment.

Rate of Assessment—We oppose assessing real property at 100 percent of appraised value. If there is a radical change in the way we assess real property, the changes should be revenue neutral for the property owner.

Use Value—State Question 486, approved by voters in 1972, requires appraisal of all real property on its actual use, rather than on its speculative market value. The Tax Commission currently is using 75 percent use value and 25 percent market value in its annual checking of county assessors’ procedures. We believe such studies by the Oklahoma Tax Commission should rely only on the actual use value, with no weight used for speculative, market value. Assessing of values should be left with the county assessor.

Abatements/Exemptions/Incentives ................................................. 250.4 Declaration of Taxation Method—Non-family farm corporations can abuse both manufacturing tax abatements and or farm tax exemptions therefore they should be required to declare which taxation method they are using.

Homestead Exemption—We favor a revision of the homestead exemption laws to provide an exemption of one-half of the first $2,000 assessed valuation. Revenue-producing property owned by non-profit organizations, including churches, should be taxed.

Personal Property—We support legislation to exempt all personal property from ad valorem taxation.

Tax Abatements—No tax abatement or exemptions should be granted without all people being affected having a chance to vote. The tax exemption incentives on purchasing new property and equipment for small business employing less than 25 people should be reinstated.

The law should be changed so that when the State of Oklahoma grants tax abatements so that the entity being granted the abatement would be required to pay their local taxes and let the state reimburse the entity being granted the abatement.

RECs—We support rural electric cooperatives and their efforts to maintain sales tax exemptions.

Tax Incentives—We favor tax incentives to encourage the establishment of wind generators in Oklahoma.

Estate Tax ............................................................................................. 250.5 Eliminate Estate Taxes—We strongly urge legislation to eliminate the State and Federal Death Tax. Estate Tax Transfers—We also support accelerating the timetable of eliminating completely estate tax transfers.

Lineal and Collateral Heirs—We favor increasing the estate tax exemption and allowing exemptions for both lineal and collateral heirs.

Pickup State—Oklahoma should be a pickup state. The Oklahoma estate tax should parallel the federal tax.

State Exemption—We recommend that the estate tax exemption in Oklahoma conform to the federal exemption.

Road User Tax ....................................................................................... 250.6 We support putting all road user taxes in a trust fund for the construction and maintenance of roads. The road user funds now going to other uses should be replaced dollar for dollar from the general fund and the one cent on fuel passed by the 1985 legislature should be sent directly to the county each month, instead of going through the Department of Transportation, using a mileage and population formula.

We object to the added gas tax and toll road fees that have been proposed.

We recommend the lowering of state taxes on all motor fuels.

We support considering an initiative petition or statute dedicating at least 50 percent of the motor vehicle taxes to improving county roads and bridges.

We oppose a 1-cent sales tax on each gallon of gas purchased to support any train system.

Diesel Violations—We recommend that “supposed” tax-exempt diesel violations be processed through our court system.

Motor Fuel Exemption—We recommend that the present system of motor fuel tax exemption be continued.

Renewable Fuels—We support a 3-year suspension on the highway fuel tax on renewable fuels.

Income Tax ............................................................................................ 250.7 Capital Gains— All taxes on capital gains should be eliminated.

Credits—We support increasing tax credits for agricultural related value added industries.

We promote a federal and state income tax credit of 100% of money spent on pollution control in agriculture endeavors.

We support a poultry litter transportation tax credit program.

Deduction for Retirees—We believe Farm Bureau should try to equalize the tax laws by asking the State Legislature to grant the same $5,500 income tax deduction now received by state, federal and military retirees, to private companies and farm retirees.

Dependent Deduction—We recommend the state income tax deduction for dependents match the federal dependents deduction.

Estimated Payments—The Oklahoma Tax Commission should consider “share crop retired farmers” the same as “active farmers” for the purpose of estimated tax payments.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission should consider retired farmers the same as active farmers for the purpose of estimated tax payments.

Gross Receipts—We oppose a gross receipts tax.

Health Insurance Deduction—We recommend that all health insurance premiums be 100 percent tax deductible.

Income Averaging—We support income averaging for state income tax purposes.

Soil Conservation—We promote tax credits for farmers/ranchers who participate in good soil practices.

Withholding—Oklahoma tax law should be changed to state that if you pay $2,000 (not $200) in wages per person, you are then subject to Oklahoma income tax withholding.

Farmer Sales Tax Exemption ............................................................. 250.8 Agricultural Exemptions—Sales tax exemptions have been granted on items which are consumed in manufacturing or which have become an integral part of a finished product, which subsequently is subject to sales tax by the retail purchaser.

We support the retention of such sales tax exemptions of agriculture and other enterprises.

We support keeping the agriculture tax exemption permits on a three-year basis.

Farming Operation Definition—Oklahoma Statute Title 68, Section 1358, paragraph 4-a should be amended to include fish farming and bee keeping in the definition of farming operations that qualify for a sales tax exemption by the Oklahoma agricultural exemption permit.

Identification Card—We support an identification card for securing tax-exempt ag purchases.

Gross Production ................................................................................. 250.9 The legislature has diverted more and more of gross production taxes from counties and school districts of origin to fund many functions of state government. We oppose any further lowering of the percentages that go to the counties or districts of origin.

We also feel that increases in the gross production tax would be disastrous for the state’s petroleum industry, and would be a tax increase to mineral owners.

Fees/Licenses/Tags ............................................................................ 250.10 CDL—We oppose the mandatory CDL for farm producers and their employees to transport fuel, chemicals, fertilizer, and farm commodities.

Excise Tax and Tags—We support lowering the cost of excise tax and vehicle tags for all cars and pickups.

Farm Tags—We recommend supporting the current farm tag system, and that the tag agent strictly enforce the current regulations.

Fees on Family Farm Operations— We oppose legislation requiring permits or fees for confinement growing operations for livestock and poultry for any operations conducted by Oklahoma residents generally considered to be family farm operations.

Hay Bale Permit—We favor a permit for wide loads for hauling hay bales of less than eleven feet. Because the Federal Department of Transportation requires Oklahoma to write permits, the permits should be free and easily obtained.

Optional Titles and Liens—We oppose legislation allowing for optional titles and liens on boats, livestock trailers, utility trailers, and off-road vehicles.

Temporary CDL—We would like to amend the temporary CDL licenses to allow the movement of custom harvesting equipment from one area of operation to the next area of operation.

Trailer Licenses—We are opposed to a license fee for farm trailers and cattle trailers.

Do not change the law concerning the operation of trailers by farmers and ranchers.

Visitor’s Fee—We are opposed to the Great Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge imposing a “visitor’s fee.”

Used Vehicle Taxes and Tags—We support legislation that would reduce tag fees and excise taxes for used cars and pickups, equal to the reduction given to the buyers of new vehicles in 2000.

Sales Tax ............................................................................................. 250.11 Sales Tax Holiday—We support a sales tax holiday for Oklahoma prior to the beginning of the school year.

Sales Tax On Groceries—Because any shortfall in revenue resulting from the removal of the sales tax on groceries would most likely be made up by increasing the ad valorem tax, we oppose the removal of the sales tax on groceries.

Services—We oppose sales taxes on services. (Such as lawyers, doctors, etc.)

Use Tax ................................................................................................. 250.12 Electricity— We support a use tax on electricity rather than an ad valorem tax.

If it changes to a use tax, the equivalent of the ad valorem tax should be paid to local governments and schools without strings attached.

We support a use tax on electricity that leaves the state.

TRANSPORTATION ................................................................................ 260 State Highways .................................................................................... 260.1 ATVs—We support the use of ATVs (4-wheelers) on public roads for operators, their families and employees, who have a current SMX tax number. ATVs should be considered an implement of husbandry.

Left Hand Turns—We recommend that it should not be illegal to make a left hand turn off a highway.

Rights-of-Way Condemnation—We recommend Oklahoma Farm Bureau work with the state Department of Transportation to assist landowners in receiving more equitable appraisals in rights-of-way condemnation proceedings. We also recommend that the Department of Transportation work with local conservation districts in the location and maintenance of highway rights-of-way to minimize the effect of highways on prime agricultural land through improved construction practices and the siting of highways. We further urge the Department of Transportation to adopt a policy to use, whenever possible, existing two-lane rights-of-way in the construction of new four-lane highways. General policy of the Department of Transportation should be to acquire the minimum amount of fee simple ownership of land in the acquisition of highway rights-of-way.

Rights-of-Way Management—The State Highway Department should abstain from planting flax beside state roads.

The district Highway Department should be permitted to contract with local residents to mow or hay rights-of-way to control weeds.

We recommend that road management entities, such as the highway department, be required to install confinement barriers for their road salt storage areas to prevent any leakage which damages and erodes adjoining properties.

Turnpikes—OFB opposes any new turnpike proposals without a statewide vote of the people and supports stronger legislative oversight of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

URBAN PRESSURES .............................................................................. 270 Municipalities—We are opposed to municipalities being allowed to impose their will outside of city limits.

Retaining Ponds—Urban developments should have retaining ponds to limit pollution and runoff.

Rural Sub-Divisions—Some county governments face problems caused by urbantype developments in rural areas, and by the location of undesirable facilities. We support enabling legislation to allow counties with problem areas to require permission by the board of county commissioners before a major installation or undesirable facility can be established.

County commissioners should have the authority to require rural subdivision developers to meet certain standards of roads and streets, drainage and flood water control, sewage and trash disposal, water supplies, fire protection and other services, to make sure that farmers’ irrigation and domestic water supplies are not threatened or polluted, and that residents of these subdivisions pay the increased cost of road maintenance and other public services caused by the rural subdivision.

Rural Water Districts—We support the Oklahoma Rural Water Association in its efforts

to restrict encroachment from municipal water districts into rural water districts.

Annexation ............................................................................................ 270.1 We support OFB prioritizing the implementation of the existing policy in regard to the annexation of rural areas by cities.

We oppose involuntary annexation, fence and strip annexation, and any other type annexation that gives cities control of all the land that joins them.

Growth areas outside the city limits should be left under the jurisdiction of the board of county commissioners. The commissioners should also have authority to require planning and zoning using the assistance of the metropolitan planning commission where available to work with developers who desire subdivisions or unsightly commercial activities outside the city limits.

A properly planned subdivision will help eliminate added expense for roads, water and sewage.

This would create a smooth transition should the city and the developers determine that annexation would be beneficial. If the commissioners do not want or refuse to do the zoning, it should then be delegated to the city.

Rights of Annexed—We recommend enactment of legislation protecting inhabitants of rural areas from municipal annexations. In drafting such legislation, we recommend that the following specific suggestions be considered: (a) That annexation of rural areas not be permitted without the consent of 75 percent in number and area of the landowners of the area affected and the fact that a rural area surrounded on three sides by city boundaries shall not be the basis for annexation. (b) That in areas annexed, municipalities shall offer normal city services within 12 months from date of annexation if requested by property owners, or de-annex such areas. In such de-annexation cases, re-annexation could not be considered for a period of one year. (c) There shall be no taxes collected until all services are provided. (d) In the event there is rural water or electricity provided by REC or a rural water district, they have the right to continue serving the area. (e) That municipalities be required to de-annex rural tracts devoted to agriculture on the petition of the owners thereof, provided normal city services have not been extended to such tracts. (f) That farming units of 10 acres or more within the limits of a city shall be exempt from city ordinance restricting land use and building construction. (g) That city earnings tax shall not be collected on farm income or income of farm labor when the farming unit is in the city limits. (h) We recommend any public roadways in an area being annexed into a city or town should remain free, open, unencumbered and passable by the general public in the same manner and for the same uses and purposes as have existed previously to the annexation of said roadways. (i) We propose to require a majority of residents and owners of areas affected to request annexation before action is taken. Adverse annexation may only be taken if public safety or health is imperiled. Annexing an area to control use or growth is abusing the property rights of those affected.

Land Use Planning .............................................................................. 270.2 Compensation for Restrictions—Cities, towns and counties that are using zoning to control use of agricultural land within their boundaries, shall compensate owners for any reduction of value, or any other losses caused by this action.

County Option Zoning—Farm Bureau strongly opposes all forms of county option or zoning that restricts production agriculture.

Planning and Zoning—Farmland in Oklahoma is increasingly being brought under the control of planning and zoning bodies. We urge county Farm Bureaus to work with sub-state planning regions, and with city, county, or multi-county special purpose planning districts to keep farm people informed and assist in developing proposals that affect agriculture. We also recommend the Oklahoma Legislature amend the planning and zoning laws to provide that: (a) Members of planning commissions with jurisdiction over agricultural areas should include residents of the area affected, and should be elected, one from each township, by the electors of that township. (b) Lake area planning commissions’ jurisdiction should be limited to an area within one mile of normal shorelines of any lake under their control. (c) We recommend land use planning and zoning be kept at county level and rural representation be guaranteed on such boards. (d) No planning or zoning body shall classify any land for future public use, such as parks, unless and until such land is acquired by some unit of government. Classification of land for future public use has a detrimental effect on land and the ability of owners to sell, when the land may never actually be acquired for public use. (e) When a change in land use is proposed, a planning body should be required to notify, by first class mail, the owners of the adjacent land. (f) Zoning regulations should not interfere with normal agricultural operations . No city or town should be allowed to use zoning laws to prohibit a property owner from building a home, replacing or rebuilding an existing home or buildings on a tract of 10 acres or more.

WILDLIFE AND PREDATORS ................................................................ 290 Department of Wildlife Conservation ................................................ 290.1 Commission Members—We support legislation to require at least two farmers or ranchers, by occupation, to be members of the Oklahoma Wildlife Commission.

Game Rangers—Game Rangers are certified officers of the law and should conform to the same rules for search and seizure as other officers of the law. For instance the Bill of Rights, Article II, Paragraph 30, states when using probable cause to enter private property a warrant shall be obtained or they may get permission from the owner or tenant.

Legislative Oversight—Legislative oversight of the Fish and Wildlife Commission is needed.

We support changing the ODWC from its constitutional status to a statutory agency so that it is answerable to the state legislature.

Management of ODWC Land—Agencies developing wildlife preserves and other recreational areas should be required to maintain fences and exhaust all efforts to insure that privately owned property is not subject to trespassing or vandalism.

The state Wildlife Department should be regulated as other landowners are concerning weeds and lack of their control. Grazing should be allowed as a control measure to control overgrowth.

Non-native Species Introduction—We oppose non-native wildlife species introduction in Oklahoma.

ODWC Funding Solutions—We should assist the ODWC with long-term funding solutions. Hunting tags, licenses, fees and fines and ODWC-sponsored hunts on state lands can generate revenue for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife. We shall not support reallocation of existing sales tax dollars to the ODWC. ODWC Land Ownership—OFB supports legislation which would limit the amount of land the Wildlife Department could own in any county and which would require the Wildlife Department to pay ad valorem taxes on real estate. We oppose any net increase in government ownership of real estate. We oppose the State Wildlife Commission acquiring any additional land statewide for the purpose of establishing wildlife and wetlands habitats.

Endangered Species ........................................................................... 290.2 We favor making the endangered species law incentive based rather than regulatory.

We support exempting family farms from endangered species legislation. A peer review board as well as a scientifically sound approach should be used when adding to the list of endangered species.

Also, strengthening property rights to the landowner regarding endangered species legislation should be a top priority.

Any private property that is confiscated, established or set aside for the protection of endangered species shall result in monetary restitution to private property owners in the from of rental payments equal to the fair market rental rate of the county in which the land resides.

We oppose any construction being delayed or stopped because of beetles or any other insect or animal.

Arkansas River Shiner Critical Habitat Designation—We oppose the U.S. Fish and Wildlife department designating critical habitat for the Arkansas River Shiner.

Black-tailed Prairie Dogs—We support cooperation between OFB and ODWC in developing a state management plan for the Black-tailed Prairie Dog. It shall be mandatory that landowners have the authority to control prairie dogs, beavers and kangaroo rats on their own property.

We do not believe the Black-tailed Prairie Dog should be on the candidate list for the endangered species.

Candidate Species—We support the protection of candidate species under the Endangered Species Act only on public land. We support the ability of private landowners to control these candidates at will, realizing destruction of private property by candidate species damages our farming businesses and reduces profits in our struggling industry.

Hunting Regulations ............................................................................ 290.3 Deer Hunting— We recommend that an unlimited number of deer, either sex, be taken

until the deer over population is under control.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation should require a doe to be taken in targeted counties before a buck can be taken.

We recommend that extra doe tags for deer season be good for the whole season to control the expanding deer population in target counties.

We support deer management zoning areas based on habitat and social conditions and believe that ODWC should authorize additional management hunts in certain areas, including a doe gun season in October, before peak breeding season, and curtailing the harvesting of does after Nov. 1. ODWC should set bag limits and dates.

We favor adding additional days to the gun season.

Eliminate Tag Fees for Landowners—We recommend eliminating tag fees (deer, turkey, etc.) for landowners, and their immediate family, hunting on their own land or land they operate (excluding hunting leases).

Geese Hunting—Due to the overpopulation of geese, we recommend extending the hunting season and bag limits.

Quail Hunting—We encourage the Department of Wildlife to reduce the quail hunting season to the following: Nov. 20 through Jan. 1 and that the days allowed for hunting be as follows: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and holidays.

Predator/Depredation Management .................................................. 290.5 In order to continue control of predators or varmints, we recommend farmers and ranchers be allowed to control them on their land by the most effective and economical methods.

We urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department to continue to support predator control and limit any restrictive rule that affects the ability of the fieldmen to do their work in predator control.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or any other public or private entity should not release any dangerous predators. They should capture and remove the ones already released. We support fines to anyone who knowingly releases predatory animals.

As the Fish and Wildlife Department has placed wildlife in certain areas of our state and as these animals have now multiplied and are damaging valuable cash crops, we recommend that the same department be required to remove some of these animals, without charging the landowners and endangering domestic livestock.

Beavers and Prairie Dogs—We encourage the State Board of Agriculture to control the beaver and prairie dog population.

Depredation Program—We support an animal damage depredation program financed by ODWC to reimburse farmers and ranchers for losses caused by ODWC regulated wildlife.

Feral Hogs—We recommend the dumping of wild hogs for sportsmen for later hunting be punishable by stiff fines.

We recommend vigorous control of feral hogs already in the state.

Issue’s hidden number worth $20 Linda Sperry of Lawton found her hidden OFB membership number in the November JOURNAL. The hidden number in this issue is worth $20 to its owner.

The number is hidden somewhere in the JOURNAL. It must match the number on the face of your personal OFB membership card for you to claim the cash prize. The membership number that appears on your JOURNAL mailing label is not the hidden number, but must match the hidden number for you to claim the cash prize.

To claim the cash, the member family must first find its own hidden number and contact JOURNAL Editor Mike Nichols before the last day of the month Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 405-523-2300.

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December 2002 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • 11

AUTOMOTIVE ’56 Crown Vic 2-dr. HT; ’62 Impala 2-dr. HT; ’55 Merc. 4-dr., $2,500; ’56 MGA, $3,895. All need total rest. 405-672-0048, 733-7023. ’96 XLT 150, 1 owner, 75K, propane/gas, camper, CB, $10,995. 405-794-2438. ’78 Cutlass Supreme, white/red interior, $2,200; ’78 Chevy Impala 4-dr.

405-224-1222. ’72 VW Bug, rebuilt engine, good tires, new clutch, $2,000. 580-476-0026.

OFB JOURNAL CLASSIFIEDS 2501 N. STILES • OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73105 Each Farm Bureau member family is limited to ONE free classified ad per issue.

The form below must be used; no call-in ads will be accepted. The length of the ad cannot exceed the three lines on this form. Ads run only one time.

’93 Ford F150 ext. cab, hwy. miles, exc. interior, adult driven, bedliner, $2,000 cash only. Want to buy pull behind travel trailer, no 5th wheel. 580-856-3646.

Warm Morning wood heating stove w/blower, $300. 405-567-3047.

’81 Ford 1-T. duals, good tires, Stahl utility bed, 141K, reg. cab, 400 V8 engine, auto trans. good work truck, $1,400 OBO. 580-654-1477.

’91 Dodge D350 T. diesel, new paint, top cond.; 32’ stock trailer. 580-928-2795.

3 large round bales hay, this year’s, $20 each. 918-343-1260.

Fuller, Stanley products. 918-473-2700.

ALL INFORMATION BELOW MUST BE COMPLETED Name_________________________________________________________________________ OFB Membership Number_________________________________________________________

’96 GMC SLE x-cab, 4x4, tow pkg., V8, cold AC, loaded, receiver, road miles, nice, will wholesale, $9,500 OBO. 580-658-3739.

( ) Address_________________________________Phone _________________________________

’94 GMC –Volvo w/94 transport 48; flatbed trailer, tractor has 60 series Detroit 435 HP, good cond. 405-275-3734.

City________________________State______________Zip______________________________

Want Toyota motor 22R working, rebuildable, carb., fuel injected. 580-3510250.

Mary Kay products, 18 years exp. Visa, MC, Discover, mail or delivery.

580-434-5928.

Ecoquest air, water purification equip.; wind gen. will produce energy @ 3 mph is coming. Distributors needed. 877-863-9045.

’98 Dodge Durango 4x4, 3rd seat, red, dark tint windows, PS, PW, 5.2 L, cass/ CD, gray int., 92K, $14,000 OBO. 918-273-2378.

’97 Nissan Altima GXE, burgundy w/gray int., 4-cyl. auto, AM/FM cass., new tires/struts/front wheel bearings/engine belts/computer, 100K, $6,200.

918-371-3630.

Great business opportunity, earn extra money, replace career income. We offer full line of natural, botanical products, anti-aging, anti-acne. Free info, 405-298-0096.

Antique birthing chair, $200; cherry wood dining table, 4 chairs, $100; Invocare reclining wheelchair, $500; 23,000 BTU natural gas heater, $75. 580-922-3303.

’98 8-ft. Pastime over cab pickup camber w/air, furnace, toilet, fully insulated, gas/elec. refrig. 918-257-5900.

’93 Chevy Cheyenne reg. cab long bed, 6.2 diesel, auto trans., 123K, looks/ runs good, AC, $2,700. 580-654-1477.

J & L Metal Buildings, 405-598-0663, 834-6125. 30x40x10 w/cement floor, walk-in door, 8x8 overhead door, $9,500.

5.15% guaranteed interest for 10 years, can start taking interest each month in 30 days. 918-266-5013.

’81 Chevy pickup, ’77 CJ7 Jeep, make offer. 580-436-2782.

’80 Mazda RX7, red, rotary engine, new radio/tires, great shape, $1,995 OBO. 918-857-7337.

Processor, 450 Ledan Rd. Ext., Gainesville, Ga. 30506, 770-5357381, WWW.Home-Processor.Com

Area Code

Ads must be received by Jan. 17 to appear in the next issue of the OFB JOURNAL.

’82 El Camino, 4-yr. restoration, $5,500 OBO. 405-728-4473, Jim.

Coral calcium for cancer, diabetes, ADD, arthritis, heart disease, etc. 580383-7911.

DP Fit for Life weight machine, $50; white furniture, chest, dresser, mirror, desk hutch, night stand, $400. 405-273-1595.

Fertilized, sprayed, tested Bermuda hay, round bales $25 loaded, square bales $3 in barn. 580-673-2892.

Coral calcium for cancer, diabetes, ADD, arthritis, heart disease, etc. 405391-2353.

Lg. sq. bales oat hay; Tales of Oklahoma CD, musical history of our state, dealer inquiries welcome, $14.99 retail. 580-450-5730.

4x5 plus round bales mixed hay, $20/bale. 405-942-4538.

Trophy buffalo skulls, Longhorns, goat, buffalo, Longhorn hides, old saddle, tack, western things. 580-529-2110.

Chopping block from old store, $900. 405-615-0267.

225 amp Lincoln elec. welder, like new, used 5 min., complete w/wheel kit, helmet, rods, $150. 580-234-8552.

Reg. Texas Longhorns, unique/perfect Christmas gift for someone who has everything, delivery arranged. 580-223-2919.

8-ft. JD drag disc, old, $100; 5-ft. Ferguson drag disc, hooks to 3-pt. set angle, $100. 8-ft. Case heavy duty drag disk, $100. 580-938-5083 after 6 p.m.

Limousin, Simmental cattle. Bulls, bred heifers, show prospects, black or red. 918-273-1475.

D5B Cat dozer, $30,500; ’81 Mack truck w/new winch, $11,000; dozer float, $7,500; ceramic nativity scene, ceramic pour table, $350; ceramic molds; sq. bales hay, $2.50. 405-784-5575.

Reg. Texas Longhorns, solid/colored bulls, pairs, heifers, bred cows, top bloodlines, lots of horn, priced right, can deliver. 918-733-9511.

4 lots in Everlasting Life Cemetery. 918-275-4419.

Cornish Bantams, dark/white laced red, call for prices. 580-223-940.6

Stanley Home products, Fuller Brush products. 580-497-2249.

2-horse aluminum straight load, 7’6” tall x 6’8’ wide w/dressing room, ramp; also 102”x22’ GN flatbed trailer, $7,000 negotiable. 405-872-2100.

Angus bull, 18 mos., subject to registration. 580-369-2533, 369-3766 nights.

4x5 bales sudan, $25. 580-369-2533, 369-2766, 369-2914.

’67 Chevy stepside CST 1/2-T. pu, 307 V8, 3-sp. auto, aluminum rims, $3,000. 580-937-9954.

1370 Case, flail mower. 580-563-9470.

Angus bulls, heifers, 1 year, out of reg. herd w/wo papers, top animals out of 7 herd bulls. 580-456-7241.

4x5 round bales Bahia/Bermuda, $20 each for 10 or more bales. 580-332-4673.

’98 Chevy 3/4-T. 4x4, x-cab, short bed, Bramco flatbed, 6.5 diesel, auto, loaded, nice, 74K. 580-227-2313.

Propane tanks. 500-gal., 4425; 1,000-gal, $850; new 500-gal., $725; 250gal., $450; 1,000-gal., $1,295; refurbished 1,000-gal., $925; 500-gal., $525.

Warranty, licensed. 405-375-4189.

Lone Star Equine Rescue. Adopt-a-horse, foster-a-horse, donate-a-horse.

580-259-6441.

Two 12-ft. self feeders on skids, above average cond., $450 each OBO. 580327-2223.

’77 Chestnut/white APHA granddaughter to Gay Bar King, goes back to King 5 Times in 6 generations, $2,750. 918-789-5288.

Gravely tractor w/mower, sulky, elec. start, good cond. C. Walker, 7210 Rolling Oaks Rd., Jones 73049.

J&P Game Farm. Wild turkey, flight conditioned chukar, quail, pheasant.

580-795-7089.

500-gal. propane tank, $450; wet saw, $450. 405-801-2089.

Service age Angus, Maine, black poll Limo bulls; small square wheat straw; Best pull-type pasture drill. 405-381-4307.

’84 Ford 1-T. rebuilt 460, auto trans., crew cab, 5th wheel hitch, runs gas or propane. 580-935-6646. rd

’93 Chevy Suburban 1/2-T. 4x4, 140K, rear AC, 3 roll seat, $8,000 OBO. 580-450-6345. rd

’98 Chevy Silverado 1/2-T., 3.5 V8, 3 door, 2-tone paint, CD-cass., new tool box, very clean, $13,500. 580-371-5264, 443-5695. ’50 Ford pickup, all orig./complete, V8, 4-sp.; ’67 Merc. Cougar, 289, 3-sp., runs/ drives good, needs upholstery/painting, $2,550. 580-397-2921.

’97 Buick Park Ave. Electra, 40K, 4-dr., always shedded. 580-987-2484. ’80 GMC 1-T. 350, 4-sp., runs but needs clutch, current tag; ’94 limited slip rear end. 918-474-3388.

Guideon late model El Camino topper, make offer; 27” RCA color console TV, oak cabinet, works perfectly, best offer. 918-224-0751 evens. ’66 T-Bird classic, 390, auto, AC, PS, PB, PL, PW, PS, swing away steering, radio, good tires w/$1,000 parts car, $4,200 OBO. 405-899-4681.

Heavy duty car dolly, $550. 580-234-9522. ’80 Bronco, 6-cyl., 4-sp., new short block, new brakes, $1,400; ’84 Jeep Cherokee, great body, needs engine, $600. 918-465-267 after 6 p.m.

Humidare 2000 series incubator, hatcher separate; also aluminum brooder for ostrich eggs. 918-535-2994.

Model 9000 Water Wise distiller, used 2x, sell for $300; also new Natures spring rev. osmosis system, $200. 580-622-4647.

1370 Case, Fray 14-ft. 4-row mower. 580-563-9470.

Reg. Polled Hereford cow herd, breeding Polled Herefords 35+ yrs., Anhinga Victor 37J 69R x or Dom 549 F243. 580-436-4767.

9-yr. buckskin, 14H, Qtr. pony mare, good manners, gentle, good on trail, doesn’t spook, $1,200 or trade for 2H trailer. 405-453-7560.

’71 Olds Cutlass, 2-dr., very good engine, runs great, ptly. sanded, $750.

405-258-2371. lv. msg.

New 2001 Dixon 5020 20 HP, 50-in. cut, dealer invoice $4,999. 918-642-5785.

7 stall front feeders, managers, $300 each; AQHA buckskin, 4-yrs., stud, $2,500; AQHA bay mare, $2,500. 918-652-2860.

’39 JD A restored, cowling like new, runs good, $2,500. 918-355-3643.

DR Powerwagon, elec. start, 6 HP w/sulky, $1,500; Compost tumbler, never used, $250, plus starter. 918-487-9803.

Yearling, 2-yr. reg. horned Hereford bulls sired by K74, Lonestar bloodlines.

580-353-0557.

Rear wheel w/mounted tire for AD WD45, rim, 12-38 tire; also M Farmall parts tractor w/loader; propane heating stove. 580-234-3632.

Reg. Red Angus heifers, bulls, maternal, efficient, gentle, easy calving.

Beeby Angus, 580-935-6646.

40-ft. all metal gooseneck dove-tail trailer. 580-591-0597, 875-2255.

AQHA foundation bred weanlings, $1,600 each; APHA sorrel Overo Hancock filly, $2,500. 918-357-3622.

’98 220 Bayou Kawasaki 4 wheeler, $2,650; ’94 220 Bayou Kawasaki 4 wheeler, $1,950, both exc. cond. 405-238-6958. ’93 Lincoln Town Car, executive, 90K, very clean. 580-758-3503. ’94 Chevy Silverado x-cab, 1-owner, $6,800; ’84 Chevy 3/4-T., 350, 4-sp., $3,200. 918-989-5070, 680-1532, 682-1761.

’73 1175 Case, factory duals, cab, AC, $4,500. 580-639-2341.

’94 Buick Roadmaster, 1 owner, leather, loaded, fine car; ’78 Mustang, Ghia H. top, good restore, good body w/extra parts. 918-479-8176.

‘98 MO car/trailer hauler, less than 10K miles, Ramsey winch, oil bath axles, $6,000. 405-627-3920.

Bobs San Lena ’96 chestnut by Bob Acre Doc, out of Powder River Playboy mare, standing for ’03, has NCHA earning of $20,500. Introductory fee $700 w/$200 booking fee. 405-382-7225.

Detroit diesel 3-53 engine, complete w/clutch, radiator, runs perfect. 918367-5127.

National champion cutting stallion, Taylor Farms, home of Jay Bar Freckles, Hesa Double Delta. 580-989-3288.

1 kid saddle, 2 adult saddles, $400 for all 3. 580-346-7204.

Reg. Limousin bulls, heifers, black, red, polled, service age, gentle, growthy.

Hayhook Limousins, Lexington, 405-527-7684.

FARM EQUIPMENT Ford 3000 diesel, 1,950 hrs., 2nd owner, PS, good cond., w/6-ft. Brushog, $6,500. 918-723-4603.

New 5-ft. Brushog, $425; new 4-ft. box blade, $425; rear scoop, $195. 918733-4887.

16x6’4” flatbed trailer, tandem axles, steel bed, side rails, pipe, $1,295. 918535-2656.

Yanmar 2000 diesel, 5-ft. Howse Brushog, 5-ft. Sovena finishing mower, 6-ft. harrow, all like new, $5,000. 405-373-4324.

Sodium bentonite for sealing leaking ponds. 405-382-1873.

‘95 S&H livestock trailer, 6x24, good oak floor, exc. cond., $4,500; new J&I flatbed, $700; ’84 200S Honda 3-wheeler, $825. 405-238-6958.

Cen-Tex Siding, vinyl siding, replacement windows. Free est. Tulsa, surrounding areas. 918-855-0985.

Iron wheels, pitcher pumps, old trunks, bottles, corn shellers, wood wheel wagons old farm machinery. 405-396-2342.

Fed funded program for farmers w/no health care, free med, pharm, dental.

800-398-7743.

25.1 cu. ft. refrigerator, ice/water in door, almond, $250; Jeep hood, bikini top, fuel tank for late ’70s. 405-783-4410 lv. msg.

Beanie Babies older, newer ones, $5 each plus S&H. 918-256-2376.

Premium quality 4x6 round bales Bermuda, no weeds/stickers. 405-643-2757.

Browning Hi-Power 9 MM pistol, like new cond., $475. 405-769-4455.

15-in. Delta scroll saw. 580-472-3271.

Small sq. bales fertilized, sprayed Bermuda in barn, $3.50. 405-282-5139.

Single women, men meet others easily, cheaply the penpal way. 580-4800516 for info.

Crocheted family name, Christmas orders $3/letter; drafting table. 580-563-9470.

Minerals for lease in Stephens County; also land for cell towers. 580-255-5335.

Hydraulic cylinder repair. Multi-Power Products, 580-252-1305.

Clean bright 5x5 straw, $15; small sq. straw, $2. Delivery available. 580855-2456.

Fire wood $45/rick; authorized Tupperware consultant. 918-367-5110.

Combo boxes from Renfro post office w/all materials, equipment. For complete list, call 580-395-2298.

Miss Rodeo Okla. needs to sell her uniforms, sizes 5-7, slacks, shirts, boots, hats, etc, exc. cond. 918-427-6952.

Why wait to lose weight, or earn money at home. Gwen, 405-275-5212.

Antique Steindell upright piano, $100. 918-696-2302.

Beefmaster bulls, select sire. 918-846-2255.

Equine sports massage therapy certification course, 1 wk. end all you need, lic. by OBPVS. 580-931-9093.

2,000-gal. diesel tank on skids, $1,000. 405-941-3558.

’02 bay grade filly by High Brow Hickory, Tim O’Lena, cutting/working cow horse stud, great kid’s project, $625. 918-789-5288.

Van wheel chair lift, $500; ’91 Dodge Dakota parts truck, $500; in-home childcare. 405-681-6833.

LIVESTOCK

Polled blk. Limousin bulls, 18 mos. – 2 years old, w/wo papers, full blood. 580332-1102, 310-5956.

Keep family, pets safe w/ backyard oasis. Distributor for ARBICO products, safe, non-toxic alternative to chemicals. 580-968-4606.

Horses for exp., beg. riders. Go cart, like new. 405-275-5228, 904-0043.

Free satellite TV, free installation in up to 4 rooms. 977-998-3474 ext.

19914, code A10.

’02 Yamaha Raptor, limited edition, still on 2nd tank of gas, $5,500; ’02 Honda 400EX, red, 20 hrs., $4,750, trades possible. 405-381-0573.

Nut Hustler pecan picker, small shaker, good cond. 580-532-6359.

Hampshire, Chester, crossbred breeding stock and show pigs; also roaster pigs for holiday season. 405-567-3608.

Overhead grain socks, made to your specs, starting at $20, can also ship. 580256-9885.

Beefmaster bulls, 3.5-year-old red mottle underline, 20-month-old red mul., fertility tested, guaranteed. Okmulgee, 918-756-7934.

’89 Volvo truck 3406 B. Cat 425 HP 15-sp., air ride, good strong running older truck. 580-695-6648.

Reg. Texas Longhorns bred to Country Liberator, ’92 world grand champ bull, due to start calving in March, delivery available. 580-429-8805.

Like new pressure washer, 20 HP diesel hot water tank, 500-gal. water tank on 17’ trailer w/work lights. 580-886-3442.

Reg. Red Angus bulls, 20-mo., 2 weaned, calving ease, growth, good disposition; heifers bred, yearlings, weaned. 918-479-839.

’60 Oliver row crop 770 w/’88 engine, runs good, good tires, $3,000. 405222-1445.

’02 AQHA stud colts, sorrel w/4 white sox, blaze; sorrel w/star, halter broke, Sonny Doc Bar, Scotch Bar Time, Skippa W bloodlines, $800. 918-341-9213.

18-ft. low profile flatbed, 3,500-lb. axles, new tires, good cond., $1,100. 405352-5168 after 6 p.m.

Christmas special, great for child or adult, very gentle AQHA gray mare, last colts were twins, great for trail rides. 918-426-3828.

Walden WD8 blade w/brush guard, $400. 405-941-3424.

Nice 3-yr.-old sorrel mare, gentle, broke, reins and loads, good kid horse, $600. 405-289-3228.

Used Portable Sawmills! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-4592148, 205-661-9821, http://www.sawmillexchange.com

21-mo.-old Brangus bull, ranch raised, gentle. 918-482-3371.

TURTLE & BREAM Traps. The Traps that really work. Free Brochure. Smith MFG., 5896 Nuthatcher Rd., Gilmer, TX 75645.

’81 7580 AC 4wd, 3,600 hrs. on new 250 HP Cummins, new tires, air ride seat. 405-249-4397, 249-6103.

Serving NE OK. Burkhead Home Services, small repairs, remodeling, roofing, free estimates. 918-789-5022.

5-yr.-old AQHA gelding, Cash for Cash bloodline, $2,500. 918-782-4000 days, 782-2043 nights.

TW-25 Ford FWD w/less than 2,000 hrs., good cond., good rubber. 405-8842381.

Antique B JD ready for antique tractor pulls, runs/drives good, $2,000. 918683-9195.

Own your own business w/minimal investment. Hi-tech network marketing co. needs reps. 405-275-3782.

7 reg. black Angus bulls, 13-14 mos., fertility tested, ready to work, $1,000 each. 918-623-0041.

12 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • December 2002

’93 AHPA Pal./Overo mare w/foal in ’03 by blk. Overo, $3,000 OBO; Siberian Husky pups. 405-964-5751.

30 Brangus, Angus heifers, pasture exposed to Brangus bulls; 10 9-12 mo.

Brangus bulls. 580-298-3273.

18 Beefmaster-Angus cross heifers, bred to Angus bulls, calve early spring; 20 Beefmaster Angus cross heifers, 10 mos. 918-486-2452.

15 broiler chickens, $30 OBO. 405-386-3038.

Reg. Haflinger mares, bred; gelding team, well matched, drives good; single gelding rides, drives. Harness, wagons. 918-542-8507.

MISCELLANEOUS

Meat Grinders, Cubers, Butcher Supplies, Catalog $2.00. Home

3 burial spaces at Resurrection Cemetery, easy access, $2,300 value, make offer. 405-373-3098.

Mixed grass hay, 1,000 5x5 bales, $25 each; square bales, $3. 918-756-6502.

I can help if your building is beginning to show weathering, rust. 580-323-5356.

Metal roofs, 20 colors, free estimates. 405-783-4284.

Learn how to save 20% on gas purchases. 580-298-5965.

Cabins near McGee Creek starting at $35/night. Anglers Roost, 580-889-9567.

Bermuda hay, $3.50 sq. bales, no stickers, exc. horse hay. 580-255-8662, lv. msg.

PETS Yellow block mouth cur pups, cow/hog/varmint/family protection dogs, out of working parents. 918-542-6801.

Border Collie pups, started stock dogs. 918-273-1363.

AKC Pugs, Christmas pups, healthy, shots, adult breeders, adult spayed female,

great pets, all reasonably priced. 580-662-3248.

580-772-5982.

AKC Min Pin pups, black/tan, ears/tail done, S/W, ready for Christmas, $175-250. 405-527-7118.

Hunt, fish, retire, Dreamy Lake, pine/cedar cabin, NE OK, lovely, secluded, roomy 1,300 sq.ft, $68K. 918-253-4133.

Pyrenees, Pyrenees/Akbash pups, 8 weeks, weaned w/shots, working parents, $50 each. 580-265-9653.

35 A. horse lease, not cut for 2 years; 2 anti-irons, crate, fireplace screen, 30x38. 918-482-3181.

AKC chocolate Lab pups, ready for Christmas, deposit will hold, $300. 918775-5099.

4 Schnauzers, born 1-25-02, $250 each. 580-535-2286.

AKC Shetland sheepdog pups, great pets, born 10-9-02. 580-227-3448.

RVS, MOBILE HOMES 5x10 cargo trailer w/queen size bed, AC, insulated, you can even haul your motorcycle with you, $1,800. 580-226-1754.

2 free pups, Border Collie mix females. 405-872-5443.

’84 Winner MH, 14x66, 3-bed, 1.5-bath, alarm system, dishwasher, stove, washing machine, CH, window AC, total elect., $7,500 OBO. 918-772-2206.

Corgi pups, shots, wormed, healthy; adult female. 918-434-5414.

23-ft. RV, good cond., H/A, 8 person, $2,500. 405-964-7276.

Reg. Border Collie pups for Christmas, out of working parents. 918-273-1363.

’96 Gulfstream ultra motorhome, exc. cond., everything works, $25K. 918266-6076, 810-3557.

REAL ESTATE 3-bed, 1-bath, 1,470 sq.ft, 1/2 A., several outbuildings, room for horse.

Maxwell RE, 580-332-6482.

4-bed, 2.5-bath, lvg. rm./fp, lg. den, sun porch, wrap around cov. deck, basement, 3 A. fenced w/pond. 580-889-3259, 513-5135.

Lake home, 8 A. stock fence, 3/4 mile to Lake Texoma, 2 wells, $115,000.

580-564-9502, lv. msg.

950 A. great hunting/fishing, watershed lake, numerous ponds, hay meadows, native grass, Bermuda, Love grass. some alfalfa, $675/A. 580-332-6482.

5 A. Tenkiller ranch on Sesame St. below dam on Illinois River, $5,000. 918647-3174.

40 A. on Hwy. 70 W. of Madill, 1,320 ft. hwy. frontage, 3-bed, 1-bath frame house, 24x36 steel bldg. 580-795-7597.

937 A. Wetumka ranch, 6,000 sq.ft. luxury home w/pool, 2nd home, 7 A. lake, runs 150 cows, gas production. Good Earth land Co., 918-689-3166.

15 A./2 houses, barn, shop, pipe fences, 7 W. of Purcell on Hwy. 39, W. of Woody Chapel Store. 405-344-6387.

WANTED I BUY BLACKSMITHING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT. MIKE GEORGE, 1227 4TH ST., ALVA, OK 73717, 580-327-5235.

WANTED OLDER VEHICLES, CARS, PICKUPS, VANS, WAGONS, 1900s THRU 1960s, GAS PUMPS, TAGS. 580-658-3739.

Collector paying cash for antique fishing lures, tackle; also Coke machines, signs. Troy, 800-287-3057.

Collector wants old Case tractors, 600, 700, 800, others. 888-508-2431.

Want round Oklahoma milk bottles, dairy advertising. Jeff Cook, 580-504-1079.

Want one-owner ’93-97 ski/bass boat complete w/trailer, 17-18’, in exc. cond. 918-457-3363.

Buying producing, non-producing royalty/minerals, oil leases. Hawk Royalty, 405-433-2528.

Buying oil, gas mineral rights, producing, non-producing. 800-687-5882, 580-223-0353.

Buying old Aladdin lamps, any parts thereof. 580-58-2996, lv. msg.

135 A. native pasture w/pecan trees, steel corrals, deer/turkey, 95% open, 2 ponds, rural water, elec. available, 12 SW of Ada, short distance off 4-lane, $750/A. 580-456-7616.

Want good used Schwinn Air-dyne. 580-332-3200 days, 580-661-2021 nights.

New resort home in NE OK, 750 sq. ft. of outside decks, fp, vaulted ceilings, basement, multi-level. 918-868-3085.

Want used, wrecked, broken golf cars, chargers for parts. Will pick up, cash.

405-782-0460.

4-bed, 3-bath brick 5 SE of Ada, 48x72 horse barn, 3x48 hay barn, 22.9 A. horse ready, city water, nat. gas. 580-421-9005.

Want used pecan picker, preferably Savage or Nut Hustler, pto pull type.

918-366-2403 after 7 p.m.

80 A. Meeker. Pat, ReMax, 405-202-7216.

Want pecan shaker, power take off side delivery rake. 405-372-7787.

80 A. improved Bermuda, 3-bed, 2-bath brick, CHA, 4 barns, corral, ponds, Hwy. 75 Hughes Co. 405-379-5672.

Pay $1,000 for unusual old ceiling fan that had 2 motors facing outward, then whole thing rotated when running, called gyro or gyrating fan. 405-751-0933.

Seven 5-A. bldg. sites, restricted, owner financed, 10% down, on cul-de-sac.

405-527-0869.

Want camper shell for ’96 Dakota shortbed. 918-355-3505.

2-year-old 2-story w/2-car garage/apt. on 1 A. N. of Purcell, easy access to I-35, $300,000 OBO. 405-527-5456.

80 A., wheat and pasture, 3 homes, exc. cond., hwy. frontage. Sylvia or Dave, Ochs RE, 405-282-0404.

5 A. beautiful grass, elect., well, fenced, some trees, close to Weatherford.

APPR.

$75,000/Yr.

If you know farm equipment or livestock, you can make money appraising them. Call today for free information. (800) 488-7570, or visit us at www.amagappraisers.com

Sale on Ropes Rocky Ropers .......................... $21.95 Bad Attitudes ........................... $21.95 Rocky Rockets ........................ $24.00 Rocky 840 3-strd. .................... $19.00 Classic XR4 ............................. $29.00 Kids Ropes ................................. $6.00 10% Off on Tack Display Saddles Marked at Cost 20% Off Concrete Statuary

COSPER’S 2 BAR 5 FEED AND SUPPLY

HWY 9 EAST & 108TH, NORMAN, OK

405-292-8761

Want used 3-pt. sickle mower in god condition. 405-354-4300.

Secretary of the Year Washita County Farm Bureau’s Kathy Nichols was named Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Secretary of the Year at the 61st annual meeting. She received an expensepaid trip to the AFBF Convention in Tampa, Fla., as recognition for the honor.

E.P.R. & D. *USDA* & *Custom* Processing of Beef - Hogs - Lambs Wild Game

580-365-4913

OKLAHOMA BEEF CERTIFICATES Beef Certificates are non-expiring, cashier’s checks redeemable for any beef product! They can be used at any business where beef is sold.

Beef Certificates make great gifts!

Topurchase purchaseyour yourbeef beef To certificates call: 405-235-4391 cerificates call: 405-235-4391 Or Or 405-840-3777 Write: Or Write; Oklahoma Cattlewomen Inc. Oklahoma Cattlewomen Inc. 2500 Exchange Avenue 2500 Exchange Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73108 Oklahoma City, OK 73145 BEEF It’s What’s for Dinner!!

Corner of Hwy. 65 & 17 Sterling, Okla.

Want dinosaur skulls, fossils of any type dinosaur remains. 580-323-8433.

TRAILER AXLES & PARTS 2,000 -- 25,000# 3,500# Axle w/springs ................... $113.00 6,000# Axle w/springs ................... $182.00 8,000# Axle w/springs ................... $399.00 6,000# Torsion ................................ $296.00

1-888-705-8100 BYFIELD WELDING

LONGREACH STEEL

DOES YOUR BASEMENT or CELLAR LEAK? NO EXCAVATING CALL THE OLD CELLAR MAN NOW!

1-800-215-0537

BUY YOUR METAL BUILDING COMPONENTS DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

405-598-5691• 800-256-3237 CLASSIC PANEL & R-PANEL AVAILABLE METAL CUT TO LENGTH 26ga & 29ga STEEL BUILDING KITS • CARPORT KITS

WE STOCK INSULATION • SKYLIGHTS WALK DOORS • CUSTOM TRIM COLOR MATCHED TRIM • SCREWS OPEN CEE PURLINS • STEEL TRUSSES 14GA RED IRON PURLINS • SQUARE TUBING ANGLE IRON • GALVANIZED CEE PURLING

• CALL FOR FREE QUOTES •

GET THE BEST SATELLITE TELEVISION SYSTEM

AT AMERICA’S LOWEST PRICE! FREE EQUIPMENT* • FREE INSTALLATION SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS TOLL FREE: 866-807-4066 OKC CALL: 405-376-4443 Only $28.98 per month** • Locals & America’s Top 50 Channels Dependable Service • We Install Everywhere • Expert Installation * Free for one TV; 2-4 TVs, $49.99 ** New Dish Network Customers Only • Subject to Dish Network Requirements

December 2002 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • 13

WE HELP PROTECT YOU FROM L I F E ’ S U N K N O W N V A R I A B L E S.

We also offer some variables of our own.

You know insurance can help protect you today, but did you know variable products available through your Oklahoma Farm Bureau agent may also help you protect tomorrow? Variable annuities and variable universal life insurance provide both conservative and aggressive investment options.

Insure, plan and invest. Call your Oklahoma Farm Bureau agent today.

Variable Life & Annuities • IRAs • Mutual Funds • College & Retirement Funding Business Succession • Estate Preservation

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

Securities & services offered through EquiTrust Marketing Services, LLC* 5400 University Ave. West Des Moines, IA 50266, 877/860-2904 An investment in a mutual fund or variable product is subject to fluctuations in market value and possible loss of principal.

For more information, obtain a prospectus from your Registered EquiTrust Representative. Read it carefully before you invest or pay money.

Life insurance and annuities offered through: Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company,* West Des Moines, IA *Affiliated

14 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • December 2002

© FBL 2002 058

DODGE RAM HEAVY DUTY. Addicted to work? Meet the all-new Dodge Ram Heavy Duty. Available with a 345 hp* HEMI® Magnum® V-8 or Cummins Turbo Diesel, it’s part of the most powerful line of trucks. Now, back to work. Visit dodge.com or call 800-4ADODGE.

*330 horsepower on 3500 models.

December 2002 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • 15

Conserve Energy With Alcoa Siding *CUT FUEL COSTS! *CUT HEATING COSTS! *CUT COOLING COSTS!

Alcoa Steel & Vinyl Siding America’s At Home With Alcoa

Does not support combustion.

Yes! Energy savings over a short period will more than pay for the new siding investment in your home.

Stays beautiful wherever you live!

Insulates against cold or heat.

Does not absorb or retain moisture like wood.

Goes up easily over wood, asbestos, stucco or masonry walls.

Protect your investment in your home! Improve its value!

Muffles outside noises, assures a quieter, more livable home.

Permanently protects and beautifies your home.

Resists damaging effects of acids, salt water, sun, rain, oil, etc.

Maintenance free -- the BEST buy in today’s home covering market!

Retains beauty year in, year out.

Does not peel, flake, corrode or rust. Easy to cleansimply hose down.

Mars, scars, abrasions don’t show. High impact-resistant.

White & 12 decorator colors.

Never needs paint-durability built in not painted on.

Completely covers split, warped, faded or peeled outside walls.

Here are the names of just a few of your Farm Bureau neighbors who are enjoying the beauty and comfort of AlcoaSiding products. Feel free to check with them.

Benny Rogers P.O. Box 883 Perry, OK

Eddie Huitt P.O. Box 101 Sterling, OK

Jim Harmon Rt. 2, Box 63 Calumet, OK

Carl McKinney P.O. Box 592 Eufaula, OK

Kenneth Azlin P.O. Box 921 Seminole, OK

Starling MIller Rt. 3, Box 129A Perry, OK

Cade Boepple Rt. 1, Box 7 Covington, OK

James Bryant 1755 N. Country Club Newcastle, OK

Willia Clay 1845 N.W. 23rd Newcastle, OK

Glenda Irick 2601 N.W. 118th Oklahoma City, OK

Bob Bolay Rt. 2, Box 119 Perry, OK

Forest Masters 317 W. Sheridian Kingfisher, OK

Tim Cameron Rt. 1, Box 85 Orlando, OK

Greg Biggs 18600 N. Antler Way Deer Creek, OK

Gerald McDaniel 14714 Key Ridge Dr. Newella, OK

Jerry Haynes P.O. Box 208 Cashion, OK

Randy Plant 18701 Garden Ridge Edmond, OK

Keller Rest.

820 N. McAuther Oklahoma City, OK

Mike Nemec Rt. 1, Box 90 Perry, OK

Reese Wilmoth 5400 N.W. 66th Oklahoma City, OK

Carl Windham 10404 N.W. 37th Yukon, OK

Beryle James 9512 W. Britton Yukon, OK

Jack Steele 119 Thompson Kingfisher, OK

Daniel Garrett 1909 S. Jensen El Reno, OK

Mike Limke 201 Owen Mustang, OK

Charles Frank 1908 Brook Hollow Ct. Stillwater, OK

S & J Tire Co. Hwy. 81 El Reno, OK

Larry Smith Rt. 2, Box 122 Kingfisher, OK

Don Jantz Rt. 3 Enid, OK

Mark Kelley 3421 N.W. 67th Oklahoma City, OK

Don Rainwater 5710 Willow Dr. Norman, OK

Unique Coffeures 5900 N.W. 49th Oklahoma City, OK

Steve Leck 116 S. Flynn Calumet, OK

Mike Yousey 20502 S.E. 15th Harrah, OK

Mike Lee Rt. 4, Box 193 Tuttle, OK

Lynn Luker 720 W. Jackson Cresent, OK

Ron Pinkenton 7521 N.W. 40th Oklahoma City, OK

Mickey Brown 1705 Country Club Newcastle, OK

Dawn Faust 9329 Lyric Lane Midwest City, OK

Richard Boren Rt. 1, Box 151 Geary, OK

Neil Roberts 1400 Charles Norman, OK

Linda Sitton P.O. Box 160 Binger, OK

Jerry Benda 63125 Gregory Rd. El Reno, OK

Al Castro 4601 Winners Circle Norman, OK

Larry Yost 315 N. 3rd Watonga, OK

Jim Youngs 1201 Clearview Mustang, OK

Leslie Bradford Rt. 3, Box 298 Watonga, OK

Barth Construction Lot 6 Wild Turkey Hollow Stillwater, OK

Veres Zum Mullen Rt. 4 Okarche, OK

Dawayne Smith 415 S.W. 16th Newcastle, OK

O.B. Puckett 200 Elm Maysville, OK

Delones Knupik 414 W. Birch Enid, OK

Clark Graham 213 N.W. 1st Moore, OK

Don Blain 308 E. Jarman Midwest City, OK

Starling Miller 912 Kansas Chickasha, OK

Tommie Richardson P.O. Box 381 Purcell, OK

Sharon Graham 2821 Bella Vista Midwest City, OK

Jeff Palmer 822 S. 6th Kingfisher, OK

Jim Nichols 4737 Crest Pl. Del CIty, OK

Hanley Hintergardt 9100 Whitehall Ct. Oklahoma City, OK

Check these features • No artificial look • No warping in summer

• Won’t rot or peel • Won’t absorb or retain moisture

• No exposed nails • Won’t break up in hail

• Won’t dent like aluminum • Free from attraction of static electricity.

Farm Bureau members now receive a 33 1/3% Discount from nationally-published retail prices. Now in effect for Oklahoma! Call 405-721-2807 or complete coupon below.

NO OBLIGATION! Buy directly from the company owners - in the siding business since 1937! No middlemen involved. We can beat most any deal. Buy today before costs soar higher!

TERMS AVAILABLE Special discount for Farm Bureau Members Only.

NOTICE Siding materials sold on an applied basis only.

OK! I want more information, facts, figures, estimates and color pictures of completed jobs. No obligation. You be the judge! Send coupon immediately! One of the OWNERS of the company will personally contact you! No high pressure . Just the facts for your consideration! Act NOW! You’ll be glad you did!

M. RHODES COMPANY 16 • OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU JOURNAL • December 2002

Name __________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________________ Telephone __________________ Best Time To Call:______A.M. ______P.M. If Rural, Give Directions ___________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________

6408 N. Libby, Oklahoma City, OK 73112