PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
®
April 5, 2013
YF&R Legislative Day
YF&R members visit the Oklahoma Capitol March 19, as part of their annual legislative day. Participants had the opportunity to hear an update from OFB’s public policy division and visit with their legislators. Pictured with the group are OFB State Director Tom Buchanan and Sen. Larry Boggs, former OFB State Director.
OFB members experience southeast Oklahoma during commodity tour OFB members ventured to Oklahoma’s “Little Dixie” March 25-27 to learn more about the area’s diverse agricultural industry and historical significance during the 2013 OFB Commodity Tour. The first stop on the tour was in McAlester, where members visited the McAlester State Penitentiary and learned about the prison’s farm and dairy facilities. Then it was on to the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, where Col. Timothy Beckner discussed the plant’s purpose within the Armed Services. The plant not only constructs ammunition, but also demilitarizes weapons and ammo. OFB Director Tom Buchanan and Don Faulkner of Talihina met tour members at Sardis Lake to discuss water issues. Faulkner discussed the history of the lake and its relationship with Oklahoma City, while also
presenting southeast Oklahoma’s perspective on the state’s water issues. Buchanan, who also serves on the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, offered information on OFB and OWRB policies. Day two kicked off at the Oklahoma State University Kiamichi Forestry Research Station outside of Idabel. Staff members from OSU and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry talked about several forestry management research initiatives, including genetics programs, seed production and industry relations. After a tour of the auction yard at Brinkley’s Auction in Idabel, participants visited a forested area near Broken Bow, where Weyerhaeuser, a national forestry products company, is currently harvesting lumber. (See Commodity Tour, page 4)
Oklahoma Farm Bureau praises Gov. Fallin for signing horse legislation The state’s largest farm organization wants Gov. Fallin to know they appreciate her strength and courage in signing HB 1999 into law. OFB, along Gov. Mary Fallin with other agricultural organizations, has supported the legislation throughout the legislative session. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau would like to thank Gov. Fallin for listening to the people of Oklahoma and farmers and ranchers across the state on this issue,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “We sincerely appreciate Gov. Fallin for standing with and supporting the agricultural industry in Oklahoma. With the signing of this bill, there will now be a solution to the challenge of unwanted, abandoned and neglected horses in Oklahoma.” Gov. Fallin announced the signing of HB 1999 through a press release and released a statement on the issue of horse abandonment and neglect. “These animals traveled long distances, in potentially inhumane circumstances, only to meet their end in foreign processing plants that do not face the same level of regulation or scrutiny that American plants would,” said Fallin. “Those of us who care about the wellbeing of horses – and we all should – cannot be satisfied with a status quo that encourages abuse and neglect, or that rewards the potentially inhumane slaughter of animals in foreign countries.”
Member Benefits • Sears Commercial offers Oklahoma Farm Bureau members special discount pricing on everyday products for the home. Call Sherry Wells at (918) 289-1614 for more information. OFB highlights a benefit 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 OFB Congressional Action Tour April 14 - 18 • Washington, D.C. Contact: Sara Drozdowski, (405) 530-2681 Farm City Festival April 23 • Oklahoma City Contact: Marcia Irvin, (405) 523-2405 YF&R Golf Tournament May 3 • Guthrie Contact: Holly Carroll, (405) 301-6610
By John Collison, OFB Vice President of Public Policy and Media Relations They say the pen is mightier than the sword. With one stroke of the pen, Gov. Fallin signed into law HB 1999, which will take a state law that has stood for more than fifty years off the books and open up the ability to allow horse harvesting in Oklahoma. Over the past few weeks I have come to you asking for your help. We used the traditional resources like radio and print media, but in this battle against extreme radicals we also used a newer medium to get the word to our members – social media. With the evolving age of technology, we are able to fight battles in real time with instant messages sent to our membership. By the recent increase in our “Likes”, it looks like many of you joined us on Facebook and Twitter to get your message out. The world of social media has caused governments to fall and the ideas of some to take hold with a force that we have never seen
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Monitor the latest Farm Bureau and agricultural news and information online at okfarmbureau.org. Currently online: • Agricultural News – Oklahoma Farm Bureau features a new agriculturerelated story every day on its site. Read about both AFBF and state Farm Bureau news by visiting the homepage. • Legislative Update – The Oklahoma State Legislature is in full swing. See the OFB homepage for a link to the public policy division’s latest legislative update and bill tracking site.
www.okfarmbureau.org 2
in such a short amount of time. If you have heard me talk, I have been asking you to not fear this new form of communication but rather to embrace it. I hope if you haven’t had time to log on and look at our website John Collison or social media sites, you will. In this day and age, the other side is loud and well funded, and we need to make sure we are not only keeping up, but our voice is the loudest. I want to personally thank each of you who took the time to call the governor’s office or send her the orange card that stated you were from Oklahoma and your voice counted. We had a major victory in this battle to keep out-of-state and some in-state voices from telling us how and what we should do with our personal rights. HB 1999 is a victory on the battlefield but unfortunately, not an end to the war. This is a fight HSUS and PETA and others have declared, and until they are out of business, we will need to stand ready for the next round. Ladies and gents, we are the original environmentalists in America. There is no one who loves animals or cares about them and their welfare more than the farmer and rancher. It is our lifeblood and our way of life. Be proud that you are engaged in these issues and that your voice is the one the legislators and the governor heard at the end of the day. If you see your member of the legislature and they stood with you on this issue, thank them. If they didn’t, ask them why and see if you can possibly educate them for the future. Also don’t forget to thank Gov. Fallin for always standing with agriculture. She is a good friend and she needs to know we appreciate her. The battle was won this time, but the war still rages.
Pork producers step up to fight hunger in Oklahoma After successfully launching the Beef for Backpacks program last fall, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and fellow agricultural organizations are now calling on pork producers to help feed Oklahoma’s hungry children. Much like Beef for Backpacks, Pork for Packs will provide nutritious pork sticks for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Food for Kids program. Oklahoma livestock producers have donated more than 50 head of cattle and pigs so far this year for the programs, and that means thousands of Oklahoma school children will now have adequate protein to supplement their diets “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our livestock producers, “said Rodney Bivens, executive director of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. “This is a great opportunity to help educate the public that the food is there because someone has worked hard to produce it, and we are so thankful to have livestock owners willing to donate the food.”
Both programs are collaboration among the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Beef Council, Oklahoma Pork Council, Oklahoma State University Food and Agricultural Products Center, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Ralphs Meat Company in Perkins and Chickasha Meats. Each week, volunteers at the Regional Food Bank stuff backpacks with nutritious food and snacks that are handed out to school children to supplement their weekend diets. Beef and pork sticks supplied by program partners provide a valuable source of protein. The backpacks are an integral part of the Food for Kids program. The program serves 475 elementary schools in 53 counties across central and western Oklahoma, providing backpacks to more than 13,500 chronically hungry children each week. “We are excited by the opportunity to
OFB supports Oklahoma Youth Expo
ABOVE – Oklahoma Farm Bureau teamed up with Bank of Western Oklahoma and Touchstone Energy to purchase the 2013 Oklahoma Youth Expo Grand Champion Barrow, exhibited by Kate Jackson of the Mountain View-Gotebo 4-H Club. The hog was among 38 animals OFB purchased at the sale. RIGHT – OFB President Mike Spradling (left) accepts the 2012 OYE Volume Buyer Award from OYE Board of Director Chairman Bob Funk in recognition of last year’s sale.
provide a nutritious source of protein to the children,” said Monica Wilke, executive director of the Oklahoma Farming and Ranching Foundation. “We estimate that between 20,000 and 25,000 beef and pork sticks will be needed every month to supply all of the hungry children who currently benefit from the backpack program.” Every pound of donated meat produces approximately 8 to 10 protein sticks. To help sustain the program, program partners are asking beef – and now pork producers – to consider a commitment of at least one animal per year. “This kind of commitment will guarantee the programs continued success and be a win-win situation for both producers and the children,” Bivens said. For more information on how to donate livestock, contact Thad Doye, (405) 5232307, thad.doye@okfb.org. One can also go to www.okfarmbureau.org or www. regionalfoodbank.org.
YF&R Golf Classic is May 3 Register now for the 11th annual YF&R Golf Classic, May 3 at the Cimarron National Golf Club in Guthrie. All proceeds will benefit the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation, which protects private property rights and production agriculture. The first 36 teams registered will play in a four-man scramble. Participants may register as a team or individually. The cost is $340 per team or $85 per person. Mulligans are also available for purchase for $10 each (limit three per person). To regsiter, contact YF&R Coordinator Holly Carroll at (405) 301-6610 or holly. carroll@okfb.org. The registration deadline is Monday, April 29. Send checks payable to Oklahoma Farm Bureau to Attn: Holly Carroll, 2501 N. Stiles Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Check-in is at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch at 11 a.m. Teams will tee off at noon.
3
Published by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Postmaster: address corrections to: Published bySend Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332
Staff Directory SPanach, taff D irectory Macey 523-2346
Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126
Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Okla. City, OK.
Perspective/Online News Editor
Traci Morgan, Monica Wilke, 523-2346 523-2303 Perspective/Online News Editor Executive Director John Collison, 523-2539 Sam 523-2347 VP of Knipp, Public Policy and Media Relations Vice President of Communications/PR Chris Kidd, 523-2402 VP of Organization and Membership
Tyler Knipp, Norvell, 523-2402 Sam 523-2347 Vice President of Public Policy Senior Dir. of Corporate Communications Marla Peek, 523-2437 Marla Peek, 523-2437Affairs Director of Regulatory Director of Regulatory Affairs
(Commodity Tour, from page 1) Members learned about harvesting management practices and watched as trees were cut, de-limbed and stacked for transport out of the timberland. The final day began at the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture near Poteau, where members heard from several researchers about horticulture, livestock and forestry projects on the Kerr Ranch. The Kerr Center provides research and information for farmers, ranchers, gardeners and educators from around Oklahoma. A stop at a Farrell-Cooper coal mine outside of Stigler offered a look into the mining industry. Farrell-Cooper Vice President Bob Cooper spoke to members about the
company’s operations in Oklahoma. After lunch at the Tamaha Community Center and a group picture in front of Oklahoma’s oldest Oak tree, participants traveled to the Arkansas River bottom in northern LeFlore County to pick spinach. Representatives from Allen Canning, the owner of the spinach field, were on hand to answer questions about their operations. A stop at the Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam and Reservoir rounded out the threeday tour. Members watched as a crude oil barge was lowered 48 feet to continue its route down the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The lock and dam averages just over three barges a day.
RIGHT – Commodity tour participants visit Sardis Lake, where Don Faulkner of Talihina and OFB Director Tom Buchanan talked about water issues affecting southeast Oklahoma and other parts of the state.
LEFT – Caddo County FB member Wayne Taggart watches as a crude oil barge passes through the gates of the Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam on its way down the Arkansas River.
4
GM rolls out new two-year maintenance program General Motors is now offering a two-year scheduled maintenance program with the purchase of new 2013 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. The program offers buyers a two-year/24,000 mile scheduled maintenance plan that includes all oil and filter changes, tire rotations and multipoint inspections. The maintenance program is in addition to GM’s three-year/36,000 Bumper-toBumper Warranty and five-year/100,000 Powertrain Warranty programs. The program can also be combined with the $500 discount given to eligible Farm Bureau members when purchasing a qualifying new GM vehicle. In addition to partnering with American Farm Bureau, Inc., for member benefits, GM was a sponsor of the American Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Discussion Meet Achievement Award and Excellence in Agriculture competitions held at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2013 Annual Meeting. Thanks to GM’s commitment, the first place winners of these competitive events receive their choice of a full-sized Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra pickup.