PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
®
November 18, 2011
Members pass resolutions and re-elect Spradling at 70th Annual Meeting
A resolution calling for a federal farm program that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance and a revenue assurance program topped the list of policies passed by voting delegates at the 70th annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, Nov. 11-13, Oklahoma City. “We want to protect our producers’ ability to grow food and fiber for this country,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “We believe crop insurance should be a top priority and is a key to Oklahoma agriculture’s success.” There is concern direct payments may be eliminated since federal administration is considering reducing the U.S. agriculture department's budget. The proposed resolution says OFB supports keeping direct and counter-cyclical payments to farmers, but if they are going to be reduced more than 33 percent, the remaining funds should be shifted to a revenue assurance program. “We need to keep a strong, affordable crop insurance program and realize at the same time direct payments Mike Spradling provide income stability,” said Scott Neufeld, chairman of OFB’s Farm Bill Committee. Delegates also passed a resolution opposing the use of conjunctive use management anywhere in Oklahoma. “We do not want to link ground water and surface water rights together,” Spradling said. In other delegate action, Spradling, of Tulsa County, was re-elected to serve his third, twoyear term as Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. Newly elected district directors include Beaver county farmer and rancher Alan Jett and Cotton County producer Jimmy Wayne Kinder. Roland Pederson of Alfalfa County also was re-elected to serve another three-year term. Re-elected Farm Bureau District Directors – Oklahoma Farm Bureau voting members of the Farm Bureau Women’s Comdelegates elected Alan Jett (left) of Beaver County for District 1 and mittee are Linda Fox of Ellis County, Margaret Jimmy Wayne Kinder (middle) of Cotton County for District 4. Roland Ann Kinder of Cotton County and Desi MiPederson (right) of Alfalfa County was re-elected to serve District 7. lacek of Garfield County. OFB's Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee also elected a new chairman; delegates selected Brent and Amie Straub of Kiowa County to lead the group in 2012. In addition to business sessions and a Saturday night awards banquet, OFB members also had the opportunity to hear entertaining speakers and enjoy a concert from country music singer Joe Diffie. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb and News 9 meteorologist Gary England were featured guest speakers during the Friday afternoon session, and U.S. Congressman James Lankford of Oklahoma’s 5th district spoke on faith and family during Sunday morning’s vespers program. See convention photos and press releases at okfarmbureau.org.
OFB District Leadership
2011 OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU CONVENTION Gary England
Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb
U.S. Rep. James Lankford
Joe Diffie
Member Benefits
• Farm Bureau Insurance – Visit with your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent for a list of competitive rates. okfarminsurance.com
• Car Rentals – Special member discounts are available. For information or to make a reservation through National Car Rental, call 800-Car-Rent. For Hertz Rent A Car, call 800-654-3131. OFB highlights a few benefits in each issue of Perspective as a reminder of the savings available to OFB members. Find a complete list of savings online at okfarmbureau.org.
OFB Calendar FBW Rally December 2-3, 2011 • OKC Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 YF&R State Committee Meeting December 9-10, 2011 • OKC Contact: Chris Kidd, (405) 228-4001 AFBF Annual Meeting January 8-11, 2012 • Honolulu, Hawaii Contact: Melisa Neal, (405) 523-2475
Young Farmers & Ranchers – OFB’s YF&R group elected new committee members during the 70th Annual Meeting. Pictured left to right are Ashley Parks, District 4; Derek and Mary Crain, District 1; Marty and Crystal Williams, District 7; Amy and Zac Harris, District 2; and Chad Selman, District 3. RIGHT – Haskell County Farm Bureau member Ralph Kelly was honored with the 2011 Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award during the OFB convention. Also pictured are OFB Executive Director Monica Wilke and President Mike Spradling.
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • Convention Coverage – For a complete review of all of this year’s annual meeting award winners and events, read press releases posted under the News tab. • Photo Galleries – It was a full schedule of meetings, awards ceremonies and elections at this year’s convention. See pictures from the OFB 70th Annual Meeting by selecting “galleries” under the News tab.
www.okfarmbureau.org
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County Recognition – Comanche County received OFB’s highest county honor with the John I. Taylor Award. County winners are required to earn the Four-Star Presidential Award and excel in at least six different program areas. Pictured with OFB President Mike Spradling (left) is Comanche County President Don Hankins.
OFB Members Earn Top Awards FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR – Scott and Brenda Neufeld of Fairview in Major County received OFB’s Farm Family of the Year Award. They won the use of a new GMC Sierra pickup for one year along with a trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 8-11, 2012.
John I. Taylor Award: Comanche County Lewis H. Munn Award: Garvin County Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau: Ralph Kelly, Haskell County OFB Farm Family of the Year: Scott and Brenda Neufeld, Major County Secretary of the Year: Mary Smith, Washington County
YF&R ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Zac and Amy Harris of Hobart in Kiowa County won the YF&R Achievement Award for 2011. The award recognizes OFB’s top YF&R farming and ranching couple. They received a livestock working chute from WW Livestock Systems and an all-expense-paid-trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, Jan. 8-11. Pictured with Zac and Amy are their three children (left to right) Ryan, Trale’ and Kenda.
Golden Eagle Award: John Pierce and Tony Morris, Nowata County County Achievement Creek, Grant, Muskogee, Okmulgee, Payne, Stephens, Tulsa Presidential Awards Four Stars: Adair, Caddo, Kiowa, Sequoyah Five Stars: Alfalfa, Garfield, LeFlore, Pontotoc, Woods Six Stars: Comanche, Garvin, Major, Nowata, Seminole
YF&R EXCELLENCE IN AG – Will and Jennifer Cubbage and son, Will, represent Osage County Farm Bureau and are the 2011 recipients of the YF&R Excellence in Ag Award. They received a Polaris four-wheeler ATV, courtesy of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Chisholm Trail Farm Credit, and a free trip to the AFBF Convention. YF&R DISCUSSION MEET – Chelsea Clifton of Kingfisher is the winner of the 2011 YF&R Discussion Meet. She competed against five other participants in three rounds of debate-style discussion where performance is evaluated on the exchange of ideas and information on agricultural topics. She received a John Deere lawn mower and an all-expense-paid-trip to the AFBF Annual Meeting in January.
2011 Award Winners
CHAMPION Awards Raymond Temple, Garvin County Dennis Flaming, Major County Macy Strom, Washington County Statewide Journalist of the Year: Bryan Painter, The Oklahoman Rural Journalist of the Year: Barry Porterfield, Pauls Valley Democrat YF&R Awards Lifetime Legacy: Christy Smith, Pontotoc County Achievement: Zac and Amy Harris, Kiowa County Excellence in Agriculture: Will and Jennifer Cubbage, Osage County Discussion Meet Winner: Chelsea Clifton Charles L. Roff: Payne County Outstanding YF&R County Event: Major County
Congratulations to all of the winning counties and members for your dedicated service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau!
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Perspective/Online News Editor Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Monica Wilke, 523-2303 Perspective/Online News Editor Executive Director Sam Sam Knipp, Knipp, 523-2347 523-2347 Vice Vice President President of of Communications/PR Communications/PR Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Vice Norvell, President of Public Policy Tyler 523-2402
Marla Peek, 523-2437 Vice President of Public Policy Director of Regulatory Affairs Marla Peek, 523-2437 Kinsey Money, 523-2539 Directorofof Regulatory Affairs Director Research & Policy Development
OFB sponsors governor’s annual food drive Gov. Mary Fallin kicked off her second annual “Feeding Oklahoma” food drive on Nov. 1, at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Farm Bureau is one of several sponsors for the event, which runs through Nov. 22. The goal of the campaign is to raise enough food and funds to provide 1 million meals for hungry Oklahomans. “No one should have to go hungry during the holiday season,” Fallin said. “I’ve always said that Oklahomans are the most generous and caring people in the world, and this is one more opportunity to showcase that community spirit.” Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any of OFB’s 77 county office locations, all BancFirst locations statewide, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and all Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores in the Oklahoma City metro area. Also, thank you to all of the OFB members who donated items in the trade show area during OFB’s annual convention. Feeding Oklahoma – OFB President Mike Spradling A total of 360 pounds of food was collected at the food drive’s (middle) attends the governor’s food drive kickoff in booth, and that is expected to provide 276 meals to hungry Oklahoma City, Nov. 1. Also pictured, Regional Food Bank Oklahomans this winter. Executive Director Rodney Bivens (left) and Gov. Mary Fallin. YF&R Tailgate – Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers organization hosted two tailgate events at Oklahoma State football games in Stillwater this season. OFB members pictured at the OSU/Baylor Homecoming game on Oct. 29, are (back row, left to right) – Burton Harmon, Adam Martens, Tyler Norvell, Chris Kidd, (middle row) – Mike Spradling, Audrey Harmon and Ryan Pjesky, front – Jared Harmon.
Photo courtesy of Beth Norvell
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Oklahoma Farm Bureau wishes its members a bountiful harvest and a Happy Thanksgiving!