Perspective OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU
WWW.OKFARMBUREAU.ORG
Dec. 11, 2015
OKFB to host campaign management seminar with State Chamber of Oklahoma, Victory Enterprises klahoma Farm Bureau, in partnership with the State Chamber of Oklahoma, will host a campaign management seminar Jan. 15-16, 2016 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Norman, Oklahoma. Designed for candidates, spouses and campaign managers running for public office, the two-day seminar will offer important information needed to conduct a successful campaign. The seminar will be taught by Victory Enterprises, a comprehensive political
consulting and communications firm with extensive experience in the areas of fundraising, campaign and media strategy, polling and messaging. Topics and issues covered include: habits of winning candidates, building a winning team, precinct targeting, crafting a winning message, direct mail best practices, multimedia advertising and outreach, budgeting best practices and much more. Conference registration is $200 per attendee and includes all materials, one
breakfast, two lunches and a reception. Lodging is not included in registration. Enrollment is limited and the registration deadline is Jan. 8. To register for the conference, download the brochure at www.okfarmbureau.org, and mail in the registration form. For more information, contact Marla Peek at 405-523-2300 or visit www.okfarmbureau.org. Learn more about Victory Enterprises at www. VictoryEnterprises.com.
Inhofe, Buchanan praise Oklahoma provisions in FAST Act Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, last week announced provisions benefiting Oklahoma in the bicameral, bipartisan Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act. The bill introduced by Inhofe and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) passed the House and Senate last week, and was signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 4. The previous authorization for the highway program was set to expire Friday, Dec. 4 at midnight. “With a fully-funded long-term reauthorization bill, Oklahoma will receive more than $3.6 billion in new transportation funding, making this the largest single infrastructure investment in Oklahoma’s history,” Inhofe said. “The long-term certainty provided by this five-year bill will end the costly practice of short-term extensions, which have cost Oklahomans more than $122 million since the last long-term bill I authored expired in 2009. These short-term extensions have long frustrated state and local governments, business owners and contractors who I
have worked with to restore and modernize Oklahoma’s aging interstate and more than 1,300 bridges in need of serious repair or replacement. “This bill will provide the long overdue investments needed to put America back on the map as a place to do business,” he said. The FAST Act will benefit Oklahoma in many ways and has received support from leaders across the state, including Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan. “Oklahoma agriculture relies on the safety and strength of our roads and bridges. It’s simple; our farmers and ranchers cannot provide food for the world without dependable transportation infrastructure,” Buchanan said. “The FAST Act’s freight program will improve access to grain elevators and other agricultural facilities, helping farmers get their products to market more efficiently.
“By removing cuts to the federal crop insurance program, the FAST Act also helps protect farmers whose very livelihood depends on weather and economic conditions. “We’re thankful for Sen. Jim Inhofe’s work to protect our vital roads and bridges, and his continual support of agriculture,” Buchanan said. The FAST Act is a five-year bill dedicated to improving the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure, benefiting our roads, bridges, transit systems, and rail network. The bill reforms and strengthens transportation programs, while — Tom Buchanan refocusing them on national priorities, providing long-term certainty and more flexibility for states and local governments, streamlining the project approval processes, and maintaining a strong commitment to safety. To learn more about provisions in the FAST Act, visit www.inhofe.senate.gov.
Our farmers and ranchers cannot provide food for the world without dependable transportation infrastructure.
Secretary of the Year correction In the Nov. 27 issue of Perspective, we reported Shannon Graves, OKFB Secretary of the Year, as from Comanche County Farm Bureau. Graves is the secretary at the Payne County Farm Bureau office in Stillwater, Okla. She has worked in the Payne County office for two years. Our sincerest apologies to Shannon and the Payne County Farm Bureau. Congratulations again to Shannon Graves, the 2015 OKFB Secretary of the Year!
Oklahoma Farm Bureau Online Moesel explains poinsettias on NewsOK In the spirit of the holiday season, OKFB District Three Director Rodd Moesel, owner of American Plant Products and Services in Oklahoma City, recently published an article on the NewsOK website featuring information about poinsettias. Find a link to the article on the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Facebook page.
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36th Annual Governor’s Water Conference The Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oklahoma Water Resources Center hosted the Governor’s Water Conference Dec. 1-2 in Norman. Leaders representing various industries across the state met to discuss the importance of preparing Oklahoma for drought. Learn more about the discussions by searching #droughtproofingok on Twitter.
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Nemecek named OKFB director of public policy communications
Hannah Nemecek
annah Nemecek has been named Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s director of public policy communications. In the new position, Nemecek will work alongside the public policy staff to inform OKFB members, legislators and the general public about legislation and policy affecting Oklahoma agriculture. “The average Oklahoman does not understand the importance of agriculture and how legislation and regulation affects the industry,” Nemecek said. “I’m excited to share how vital our farmers and ranchers
are to the success of our economy and our lives.” Nemecek said her goal is to present the policy news in a simple, easy-to-understand manner. “I want to provide a central place for all Oklahomans to easily find agricultural policy information,” she said. A native of Skiatook, Oklahoma, Nemecek was hired as a communications specialist after graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in agricultural communications.
Text ‘OKFB’ to 95577 to sign up for text alerts Oklahoma Farm Bureau is excited to announce a new text alert system. Send “OKFB” in a text message to 95577 and receive instant updates on OKFB news and information, especially regarding events at the Capitol. While the text alerts are free, standard text and data charges apply. Above: The OKFB Safety Services Division participates in an ATV training course in Guthrie, Okla. After completing the program, the staff became certified to train others in ATV safety. For more information about OKFB’s safety trainings, visit www.okfarmbureau.org.
For more information, contact the Public Policy Division at 405-530-2681.
Member Benefits
Calendar
Life Line Screenings
2016 AFBF Convention Jan. 10-13 — Orlando Contact: Melisa Neal 405-523-2475
As an OKFB member, take advantage of Life Line Screening’s special package including five hospital-grade tests for diseases that often go undiagnosed. Life Line’s staff of healthcare professionals uses the latest technology to provide hospital-quality preventive screenings. Learn more about Life Line Screenings on the member benefits page of our website.
OKFB Campaign Management Seminar Jan. 15-16 – Norman Contact: Marla Peek 405-523-2437
www.okfarmbureau.org/benefits
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Published by Oklahoma Farm Bureau Published Oklahoma Farm Bureau Postmaster:by Send address corrections to: Postmaster: Send address corrections to: Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332 Perspective, P.O. B. 53332, OKC, OK 73152-3332
STAFF DIRECTORY
Oklahoma Farm Bureau 2501 N. Stiles Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3126
Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 131 Okla. City, OK.
Executive Director Monica Wilke 405-523-2303 VP of Public Policy and Media Relations John Collison 405-523-2539 Director of Corporate Communications Dustin Mielke 405-530-2640 Communications Specialist Hannah Nemecek 405-523-2346
Collegiate Farm Bureau purchases Christmas gifts for Salvation Army, White Fields Boys Home Top Left: Nine Collegiate Farm Bureau members from Oklahoma State University visit Kohl’s department store Nov. 30 to purchase Christmas gifts for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program and the White Fields Boys Home. The group purchased toys, clothing and other gifts. Bottom Left: Joshua Haven purchases items for the children. Bottom Right: Tyler Schnaithman (left) and Bray Haven choose a toy to purchase for the White Fields Boys Home.