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PERSPECTIVE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU

®

November 30, 2012

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members participate in cow-calf boot camp

Will Cubbage, Osage County Farm Bureau member and OSU Extension livestock educator, explains cattle genetics to participants of the OSU Extension Service Cow-Calf Boot Camp Nov. 14 in Creek County.

In This Issue • OSU Cow-Calf Boot Camp • Golden Eagle Award • National Hereford Queen • YF&R Committee • Harvest Watch Blog

Creek County Farm Bureau member Josh Enlow describes his family’s cattle business to participants during the OSU Extension Service Cow-Calf Boot Camp at his ranch Nov. 14.

Garvin Co. FB member named first member of Eagle Club Raymond Temple, of Garvin County, was recognized as the first inductee in the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Eagle Club during the OFB 71st Annual Convention Nov. 10, in Oklahoma City.

The distinction was created to recognize the member who recruits the most new members in a year, as membership is a key aspect of the organization. In addition to his duties on the Garvin County FB Board, Temple recruited 12 new members in 2012.

A Golden Eagle award has been presented to members in the past to recognize volunteer membership recruitment, but the Eagle Club was created to encourage others to follow Temple’s example of tremendous effort.

He received a traveling Golden Eagle trophy and a personalized OFB jacket.

Temple and his wife, Mary, have been OFB members for more than 40 years.

They operate a cattle and hay farm near Elmore City.

Garvin County FB member Raymond Temple (left) accepts the new Golden Eagle award from OFB president Mike Spradling during the 2012 OFB Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City Nov. 10.

Member Benefits • GoBob Pipe and Steel – Offers members discounts on products including fencing and corral material, hay and feed equipment and other ag services.

Visit gobobpipe.com.

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 AFBF Annual Meeting January 13-16, 2013 • Nashville, TN Contact: Melisa Neal, (405) 523-2475 National YF&R Leadership Conference February 7-11, 2013 • Phoenix, AZ Contact: Holly Carroll, (405) 205-0069 National Leadership Conference February 7-11, 2013 • Phoenix, AZ Contact: Melisa Neal, (405) 523-2475

Checotah native named 2012-13 National Hereford Queen Whitney Andras, of Checotah, was At the American Royal Andras was also crowned the 2012-13 National Hereford presented the Whitehead/Rocking Chair Queen during the 2012 American Royal Ranch Scholarship and the Gary Bishop National Hereford Show in Kansas City Memorial Scholarship.

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Andras competed against three other Andras is the daughter of McIntosh young women from across the U.S. for County Farm Bureau members J.C. and the title. The National Hereford Queen Deb Andras and is a program is managed by fifth-generation Herethe National Hereford ford breeder on the AnWomen. Queen candras side and a fourthdidates are evaluated generation Hereford on their involvement breeder on the Ellis side. with and knowledge She comes from a family of the Hereford breed, with a long history of behavior, attitude, apHereford dedication. pearance and interaction Currently a freshman with producers, as well at Connors State Colas their résumés and lege in Warner, Okla., interviews. Judges look Andras is pursuing an for a responsible, wellassociate’s degree in rounded young lady science and serving as a who is willing to spend member of the freshman an entire year traveling livestock judging team. all over the country to After Connors, represent the Hereford Andras plans to transfer breed to her best ability. to either Texas Tech or First runner-up Whitney Andras Oklahoma State Univerhonors went to MaKayla sity, where she hopes to dual major in agri- Rutt, Minden, Neb.; Bridget Beran, Clafcultural communications and agribusiness. lin, Kan., was named second runner-up, and the Miss Congeniality award was presented to Cara Cummings, Gilmer, Texas.

Although busy with college and judging, Andras says she is extremely excited to begin her stint as the National Monitor the latest Farm Bureau Hereford Queen. and agricultural news and information “I want to be able to attend as many online at okfarmbureau.org. events as I can and be there for all of the Currently online: juniors and breeders whether it be cattle • Agricultural News – Oklahoma related or not,” Andras said. “I’m looking Farm Bureau features a new agricultureforward to being able to be an ambassador related story every day on its site. Read for the Hereford breed and travel across about both AFBF and state Farm the country and visit all of my fellow Bureau news by visiting the homepage. breeders.”

She also says she hopes to set an • Harvest Watch – OFB’s four example for Hereford youth that she may farming families are finishing up fall cross paths with during her reign. harvest and preparing fields for next “I want them to know that I’m a very year’s harvest. Follow their activities on down-to-earth person and that I will bend the OFB Harvest Watch blog. See our over backwards to help anyone in any OFB homepage to click on the logo. possible way that I can,” she adds. “Being chosen as the National Hereford Queen is such a humbling experience. I am honored to represent the Hereford breed and the great tradition this role represents.”

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online

www.okfarmbureau.org

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YF&R elects new committee members, recognizes achievements during annual meeting RIGHT – Major County YF&R member Nicole Martens (left) accepts the Charles L. Roff award from YF&R Committee Chairman Brent Straub during the OFB Annual Meeting Nov. 9. The award is given each year to encourage county YF&R groups to improve their local committees and activity participation while strengthening the Farm Bureau organization.

LEFT – YF&R members elected a new chairman and several district representatives during the OFB Annual Meeting Nov. 10. Newly elected members are (from left) Zac and Amy Harris, District 2; Josh and Kim Emerson, at-large; Jessica and Clint Wilcox, District 3; Chad Selman, District 8; J.T and Sara Bain, District 5; and Mason Bolay, chairman.

Garvin County Farm Bureau receives John I. Taylor Award Oklahoma Farm Bureau named Garvin County as the John I. Taylor Award winner for 2012. The announcement was made Nov. 10, in Oklahoma City at the OFB 71st Annual Convention.

The John I. Taylor Award is named after OFB’s first president and serves as the organization’s highest county honor. County winners are required to earn the Four-Star Presidential Award and excel in at least six Garvin County Farm Bureau President Dale Schauer (left) accepts the 2012 John I. Taylor Award from Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling during the 2012 OFB Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City Nov. 10.

different program areas.

Garvin County is active in all 11 program areas, including membership, program planning, policy development, policy execution, information and public relations, safety, service to members, local affairs, policy education, women’s activities and the Young Farmers and Ranchers Program.

Garvin County received the most combined total points out of five top finalists.

Food drive provides record number of meals Farm Bureau members and staff donated enough food and money for more than 3,000 meals as part of Gov. Mary Fallin’s annual food drive. This year’s food drive collected enough for a record 2.6 million meals.

“It’s our way of giving back to our community,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “It only makes sense that those who grow the food should help feed those who need it the most. This demonstrates once again the great generosity of our farmers and ranchers.”

Every county Farm Bureau office, as well as the state office in Oklahoma City, served as a drop off point for the donated food.

In addition, Farm Bureau members brought non-perishable food items to the annual Farm Bureau convention, Nov. 9-11.

The food drive was conducted Oct. 15Nov. 15 in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, which together serve community soup kitchens, food banks and shelters in all 77 counties.

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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

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Macey Panach, 523-2346 Traci Morgan, 523-2346 Perspective/Online News Editor Perspective/Online News Editor Monica Wilke, 523-2303 Executive Director Sam Knipp, 523-2347 Sam 523-2347 ViceKnipp, President of Communications/PR Vice President of Communications/PR Marla Peek, 523-2437 Tyler Norvell, 523-2402 Director of Regulatory Vice President of PublicAffairs Policy

Chris Kidd, 523-2539 Director of State and National Affairs Marla Peek, 523-2437 Director of Regulatory Affairs

Harvest Watch families celebrate first year of telling their stories

Farm Bureau offers private treaty cattle sale during Tulsa Farm Show Once again this year Oklahoma Farm Bureau will sponsor the Herd Builder Private Treaty Cattle Sale during the Tulsa Farm Show, Dec. 6-8 at the Tulsa County fairgrounds.

“This is a great opportunity for our producers to showcase their animals and make contact with potential buyers,” said Thad Doye, vice president of Farm Bureau field services.

There is a $100 per head fee for bulls, $50 for heifers. All breeds are welcome.

Interested cattle producers should contact Doye by Dec. 1, at (405) 523-2307 or thad.doye@okfb.org.

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The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Harvest Watch blog began this year in March and has chronicled the everyday joys, disappointments and hard work of four Oklahoma farm and ranch families as they planted, managed and harvested crops from the Oklahoma soil. The families gathered at the OFB state office Nov. 26 for a luncheon to celebrate the end of the 2012 harvest and to make plans for another year of blogging.

Teachers and extension educators also attended the luncheon and offered feedback on how they have used the blog in class-

rooms and other educational settings.

The Harvest Watch website has had more than 10,000 views since this spring, and participants are eager to continue educating others on the daily activities of farm families.

Harvest Watch families include Zac and Amy Harris, Hobart; Brandon and Carrie Webb, Canton; Kenneth and Debby Fisher, Bristow; and Greg and Mary Leonard, Afton.

To read the Harvest Watch blog, visit http://okfbharvestwatch.wordpress.com.

RIGHT – First Oklahoma Agriculture Network farm broadcaster Mike Dain (left) interviews Lexington Elementary teacher Cheryl Hyde about how she has integrated the OFB Harvest Watch blog stories into her classroom curriculum.

LEFT – OFB Harvest Watch bloggers Elisa (left) and Debby Fisher display their new t-shirts during a luncheon to recognize the families who have shared their farming experiences on OFB’s new blog.