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Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 25

All Around

Oklahoma

Tornado time is here for Oklahoma

O

klahoma is the most tornado-prone area in the world.

The state’s dubious distinction is not only in terms of the number of tornadoes, but also in terms of intensity.

The risk is high. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports an average of 54 tornadoes each year in Oklahoma since 1950.

“May typically is the peak of tornado season in Oklahoma, with nearly 40 percent of each year’s average tornado total,” says Justin Grego, Oklahoma Farm Bureau safety director.

The Oklahoma season began March 8 this year, when a tornado destroyed five homes and damaged several others in Hammon. The storm hit the Roger Mills County community at about 6 p.m. when a low-pressure system pushed a strong storm system out of the Rockies.

NWS reported that above-normal winter precipitation coupled with the jet stream hovering over the Southern Plains could produce an active storm season this spring.

“I even read where one NWS meteorologist

26 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

said if weather conditions like those that caused the Hammon tornado are still around when it gets warmer that it could be a ferocious storm season,” said Grego.

About three-fourths of all tornadoes reported in Oklahoma occur during the months of April, May and June, with about 80 percent of the tornadoes observed between noon and midnight.

“That’s why,” said Grego, “Oklahoma families need to develop a safety plan for home, work, school and outdoors.”

He said families should develop and practice a tornado plan so everyone will know where to take shelter.

“When a tornado occurs,” said Grego, “there’s not time to develop a plan.”

Families are advised to practice a tornado drill at least once a year so everyone knows the safest location to be while at home.

Grego also reminded those with storm shelters to register the location of their shelter with emergency officials like the local fire department and county emergency

Oklahoma is the heart of the most tornado-prone area in the world. The first tornado of 2010 hit the community of Hammon in Roger Mills County March 8. May typically is the peak of the tornado season in Oklahoma, however.

management coordinator.

“When shelters are located inside your home, emergency officials don’t know you’re there. You can survive the storm, but getting out of your shelter could be extremely difficult without help.

“And if no one knows the shelter is there, you could be trapped for some time before you are discovered or can free yourself.”

He also advised everyone to be aware of the watches and warnings issued by the NWS during storm season.

A tornado watch means families should be ready to take shelter if conditions merit.

“But when a warning is issued,” Grego said, “they should take shelter immediately.

He said the Oklahoma broadcast media does an excellent job of reporting the watches and warnings issued by the NWS. “Residents in Hammon were warned in advance by storm spotters, the local fire department and Oklahoma City broadcast media,” said Grego. “I think the news reported they were warned 15 minutes before the tornado hit. That was ample time to take shelter.”

He also said it is a good idea for families to purchase a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio. Those radios are available for less than $100 in many stores.

Properly programmed, the radio will sound an alert issued by the NWS when a severe storm is approaching your area.

Once a storm is over, you and your family’s personal health is the first priority. After family members have been accounted for, it’s important to assess your personal property for damages.

Home and property owners need to document their property in case of a loss. An inventory should be taken with either accompanying photos or video, and stored in a location like a safe deposit box.

If those insured by Farm Bureau experience a storm loss, they should contact their agent to get the claims process underway. If the county office is closed, members are urged to use the toll free claims hotline. That number, 1-877-OFB-CLAIM, is operated 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

OFB conference features lawmakers, business leaders

O

klahoma Farm Bureau members attending the organization’s annual Leadership Conference Feb. 15-16 in Oklahoma City heard from a plethora of speakers including state and federal lawmakers, business leaders and the president of the nation’s largest farm organization.

More than 200 leaders from across the state attended the two-day conference.

The opening day session speaker was Fred Morgan, the new president and CEO of the State Chamber of Commerce. The former state lawmaker outlined the Chamber’s legislative agenda, saying it was focused on worker’s comp reform, health care, the environment and endangered species, water, energy, and education.

Morgan also expressed concerns about the state’s budget, noting that a large decrease is in the offing and that there “will be some pain.”

However, he said that “I’m optimistic about Oklahoma’s future,” noting that the state’s economy is “resilient” and will recover.

Rep. Leslie Osborn lead a panel on State Question 744, which sets a minimum average amount the state must spend annually on common schools.

SQ 744 requires the state to spend annually, no less than the average amount spent on each student by the surrounding states. Those surrounding states are Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico.

When the average amount spent by surrounding states declines, Oklahoma must spend the amount it spent the year before.

Osborn told the FB audience the question is “one bad apple in the bucket” of nine state questions, which will be on Oklahomans’ ballots this year.

She said raising education spending to the average would be “absolutely catastrophic to state government. We’re not talking about chump change. We’re talking about big Fred Morgan money.”

More than half of the state budget already goes to education.

“There are other functions besides education,” she declared. “There would have to be agency cuts, minimum 20 percent cuts. It could be half to all of some agency budgets.”

The lawmaker said the question would necessitate 8,400 convicts being released from prisons, the closing of at least eight prisons, 197 bridge projects not to be built or repaired, the elimination of more than 250 state troopers as well as faculty, staff and course offerings eliminated at colleges plus an accompanying 33 percent increase intuition.

“The ripple effects are absolutely unbelievable,” Osborn said.

With the state budget shortfall already more than $1 billion, the first term lawmaker said there would be only one way to pay for SQ 744 – tax increases.

“A 34 percent increase in state income taxes would pay for it, or a sales tax increase of 38 percent,” she lamented.

“More money is not always the answer. This is not bashing education. This is not the way to do it. There is absolutely no stipulation on how dollars are spent.”

Osborn and her panel members, Deputy Director of the House Fiscal Division Mark Tygret and Oklahomans for Responsible Government’s Brian Downs, told the FB leaders that to beat the big dollars the education lobby would spend on the question would require grassroot involvement.

OFB has policy in opposition to SQ 744 and efforts to mandate specific funding levels for education.

American Farm Bureau Federation

Rep. Leslie Osborn

Bob Stallman

President Bob Stallman, attending the conference to present the Golden Plow Award to Sen. Jim Inhofe, told the group Farm Bureau “has a challenge on our hands.”

He said national lawmakers are looking at climate change legislation and estate tax issues.

“We’re being hit across the head by challenges. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. For us to find legislative solutions to these issues requires help from everybody. If we hold our ground,” said Stallman, “the pendulum will swing because common sense will come back into fashion.”

Stallman presented AFBF’s most prestigious legislative award, the Golden Plow Award, to U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe in evening ceremonies Feb. 15.

Each year AFBF honors one member of the Senate and one member of the U.S. House with the Golden Plow award. The award is based on the lawmaker’s strong voting record for agriculture and Farm Bureau issues. This year Inhofe was the only lawmaker receiving the award.

“I believe that American farmers are the backbone of our nation. . .,” said Inhofe. “I am deeply honored to receive the American Farm Bureau Golden Plow Award, and will continue to do all I can to fight for the American farmer in Washington.”

Three Oklahoma lawmakers were recognized as winners of OFB’s Meritorious Service Award during the Feb. 15 evening ceremonies.

Sen. Sean Burrage and Sen. Mike Shulz along with Rep. Ann Coody were announced as winners of the Meritorious Service Award.

Following breakfast Feb. 16, a panel of state agricultural legislative leadership gave its assessments of state issues.

Sen. Ron Justice, Senate Ag Committee chairman, said retaining agriculture’s Scott Meachum sales tax exemptions, Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 27

Three named Meritorious Service winners

roads and bridges, programs which help conservation and the most people. water issues were 000241166 critical issues. He also State Treasurer mentioned workers Scott Meachum was comp reform and the last outside speaker health care and on the agenda, and doctors in rural areas. provided his assessHouse Natural ment of the chaotic Resources Chairman state budget troubles.

Dale DeWitt said the “It’s a pretty big budget would be the hole,” he said, biggest issue reporting that the lawmakers face. He latest figures showed said he believed a $1.2 billion shortfall. lawmakers have an Meachum said the A panel of agriculture leaders from the Oklahoma Legislature presented its views of current and future state issues during agreement on the state constitution the Leadership Conference Feb. 16. Pictured, from left, are 2010 budget, but requires all funding to Sen. Ron Justice, Rep. Steve Kouplen, Rep. Don Armes and predicted the 2011 be cut the same Rep. Dale DeWitt. budget would be amount, which means tougher. allocations this year U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe formally received AFBF’s Golden Plow Award from AFBF President Bob Stallman, right, as a part of He also criticized will decline about 7.5 the Feb. 15 Leadership Conference. OFB President Mike SQ 744, saying it percent.

Spradling, also is pictured. would be detrimental “This is just to Oklahoma if it another bump in the passed and asked FB leaders to help spread road for us. We’ll get through it. We believe this the message about the issue. economy will bounce back in the next six House Ag Committee Chairman Don Armes months better than the last six, and in the next talked about a measure supporting a livestock six months better than that.” owner’s right to lawfully perform traditional OFBMIC management updated the county animal husbandry practices as well as equine leaders on the recovery plan for the mutual dentists, chiropractors and farriers at the insurance company. discretion of the livestock owner.

Underwriting losses primarily from storms “This is a freedom bill,” said Armes, noting in 2008 and 2009 as well as financial market that it has been the most contentious measure turmoil have impacted OFBMIC. In order to he’s ever faced. remain viable, the company is reducing the House Ag Committee member Steve number of policies and increasing premiums to Kouplen, the former longtime OFB president, adequate levels to achieve profitability. told the group that he was enjoying “most” of The plan includes reducing the number of his first term in the legislature. in-force homeowner policies by about 25 He said the state is going through some percent, with automobile and fire policies tough times. being reduced by about 20 percent.

“Oklahoma unfortunately is beginning to It was also announced that the agency force feel the effects of that downturn. Real people will broker policies through three companies, are getting cut and it’s real people that are National Lloyds, Progressive and Foremost. hurting.”

Agents will be allowed to sell auto and Kouplen said he was not happy with across- homeowners policies issued by those the-board budget cuts, saying it’s lawmakers’ companies to members during the course of responsibility to oversee cuts and not cut the recovery plan.

T

hree state lawmakers were named recipients of Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Meritorious Service Award during the 2010 OFB Leadership Conference in Oklahoma City.

The names of Senators Sean Burrage and Mike Schulz, and Representative Ann Coody were added to the prestigious list of about 50 lawmakers honored by the program since it was initiated in 1990. The honorees for the 2009 legislative session were announced during a Feb. 15 banquet held in conjunction with the Leadership Conference.

The Meritorious Service Award is designed to honor members of the legislature or other state elected officials whose philosophy or record demonstrates their commitment to the private enterprise system; sound agricultural policies supported by Farm Bureau; and fiscal conservatism and reduced government regulation of agriculture, business and individuals. The primary basis for selection is the extent a lawmaker votes in agreement with Farm Bureau policy on key issues.

The winners were selected by the state board of directors after being nominated by county Farm Bureaus.

Senator Burrage, a Claremore Democrat, was nominated by Rogers and Tulsa County Farm Bureaus. He was recognized for his efforts in the areas of livestock regulation, estate planning and private property rights.

The senator had a family commitment, and was unable to attend the formal award presentation.

The counties said the senator has been an outstanding supporter of Farm Bureau legislation, including his support for the transfer on death warranty deed law. He also was praised for his role as co-chairman of the Rules Committee in 2007 when legislation was assigned to that committee to improve trespass law and clarify that animal waste is not hazardous waste in Oklahoma.

“Without Senator Burrage’s strong leadership those important pieces of agricultural legislation would not be law in Oklahoma,” said Tyler Norvell, director of state affairs for OFB’s Public Policy Division.

Burrage, an attorney, was elected to his district 2 senate seat in 2006. Mayes and Rogers counties compose the district.

The senator and his wife, Carole, have two sons, Truman and Carter. The family resides in Claremore.

Senator Shulz, an Altus Republican, was nominated by Jackson County Farm Bureau.

He was recognized for his efforts in the areas of livestock regulation, tax policy, water law and private property rights.

The county said the senator has a 100 percent voting record on issues important to Farm Bureau. He also was praised for his authorship in 2009 of livestock preemption and trespass legislation, and his service as co-chair of the Rules Committee when it clarified that animal waste is not hazardous waste in Oklahoma.

“Senator Shulz has become one of the go to guys for agriculture issues in the Oklahoma Senate,” said Norvell.

Shulz, a farmer, was elected to his district 38 seat in 2006. The district covers Beckham,

To catch an identity thief

I

f anyone has the right to complain about identity theft, it’s Oklahoma resident Angela Matthews.* In late 2003 she received a call from an official in the fraud department at a credit card company MNBNA America. The official wanted to know if she had tried to make a $500 purchase at a Wal-Mart 5 miles from her office. “I responded to the representative that I not only didn’t make that purchase, but I didn’t even have one of their credit cards to make such a purchase,” Matthews says. “I closed that account years ago.”

The official from the fraud department thanked Matthews and told her she would not be responsible for any fraudulent charges of more than $50 on the accounts. “And I said, ‘No, I won’t be responsible for any charges because I don’t have an account with your company,’” she says.

After that event, Matthews visited her local police department. She told the desk sergeant

Rep. Ann Coody accepts her OFB Meritorious Service Award from President Mike Spradling, right.

Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Greer, Harmon, Jackson and Roger Mills counties.

The senator and his wife, Reenie, have two children, Benjamin and Abby. The family resides in Altus.

Representative Coody, a Lawton Republican, was nominated by Comanche County Farm Bureau. She was recognized for her efforts in the areas of private property rights, rural schools and education, and rural economic development.

The county said the representative has a 100 percent voting record with Farm Bureau.

“She is a strong and consistent advocate for rural Oklahoma,” said Norvell.

Coody, a retired educator, is the district 64 state representative. She is chair of the House Common Education Committee. Her district covers Comanche County.

She and her husband, Dale, an evangelistic singer and rancher, reside in Lawton. They have two adult children, Jeff and Nina, and one grandchild, Addie.

that she needed to file a police report for identity theft. “The officer seemed fairly uninterested until I told her my name,” Matthews recalls. “She looked at me and said, ‘Oh, really?

Well, we have you in custody in the back.’”

Just hours earlier, local police had arrested a woman who was using a credit card in Matthews’ name in a jewelry store near WalMart. “She had tried to purchase a $1,500 engagement ring,” Matthews says. “The credit card came up listed as stolen after she left WalMart, so the jewelry store owner confiscated the card and called police.”

The woman fled the jewelry store but was caught by police on the street. Then the story of her previous shopping spree came out.

“While she was a Wal-Mart, she bought another $1,500 engagement ring and then went on a $500 after-Christmas shopping spree,” Matthews says. “When she tried to make the $500 purchase, the credit card company automatically flagged the purchase because of the amount put on the card that day. When she

was asked for identification by officials at WalMart, she couldn’t produce it, so they made her return everything. That’s when she went to the jewelry store.”

Matthews says she had no idea how the woman obtained a credit card in her name.

“Then I found out she was renting a house that I used to own years ago but then sold,” she says. “And I found out that, even though I closed out that credit card years ago, the credit card company automatically sent me a new card – but they didn’t know I had moved.”

The woman living in Matthews’ old home opened her mail, discovering the pre-approved credit card and signed Mathews’ name in her own handwriting. “So that matched up when she was in the store,” Matthews says.

Matthews felt lucky that the woman was caught, and she called her identity theft protection plan from Pre-Paid Legal Services to report the incident. “The person there said that it didn’t sound like I had a problem, but that I should keep an eye on my accounts,” (continued on next page) Matthews says.

Sen. Mike Schulz accepts his OFB Meritorious Service Award from President Mike Spradling, right.

Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 29

Avoid injuries by staying alert around cattle

C

attlemen should always be alert around their animals to avoid injuries, according to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Director Justin Grego.

“It’s not unusual to hear about someone from your community getting injured unexpectedly by one of his cows or a bull,” he said. “We’re fortunate in Oklahoma. To my knowledge, we haven’t seen any fatalities recently.”

Grego said most of the attacks or mishaps with cattle do not result in fatalities, but cattlemen have sustained many bruises, broken bones and crushed egos.

“Most of the victims you hear about are experienced cattle producers. You even hear about vets and ag teachers getting their share of nicks, bruises or broken bones.

“I’d imagine that after one run in with a cow or bull, they’re wiser and more cautious the next time they get in the pen or go in the pasture,” he said.

Agriculture is statistically one of the most dangerous occupations, and that data shows

livestock, machinery and falls as the prime sources of occupational injury on farms. Some studies even show that one-third of the farm injuries are associated with livestock.

“While many cattle are docile, they weigh more than six times the weight of a man and can crush bones with a single kick, step or charge,” Grego said.

It is important that livestock owners recognize the different behavior factors when working around livestock.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a study that documented farm fatali-

To catch an identity thief (continued) Matthews obtained her credit report and everything looked in order. Then, 90 days later, she requested a second credit report. “On the report, there was a credit card company reporting that I wasn’t paying my bill for an account that I didn’t have,” Matthews says. “My credit score had dropped.” Matthews contacted her identity theft protection plan, which immediately sent a letter to the credit reporting agency demanding the item be removed from her credit report and her credit score restored. “That worked, but it took some time,” Matthews says.

The Oklahoma woman’s troubles, however, were far from over. “I got a call from MBNA wanting to set up payments for a Bass Pro Shop account,” Matthews says. “It was starting all over again.” This time, the credit card company had sent blank checks to Matthews’ old address that were, in reality, a line of credit.

“And the same woman took the checks and 30 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

used them,” Matthews says.

The identity thief wrote more than $3,100 in checks, paying for her rent and making a down payment on a four-wheeler. “I think she also used one of the checks to pay for her bail,” Matthews says.

Matthews returned to her local police station and filed another report. The identity theft protection plan sent out another round of letters trying to protect her credit record.

“And then I had my Pre-Paid Legal attorney demand that MBNA close out the account,” Matthews says.

Matthews also sign a limited power of attorney to her identity theft protection plan so it could work on her behalf to clear up the situation. “They took care of everything,” she says. By late-summer 2005, Matthews found her credit report cleared and her credit rating restored.

But she spent many frustrating hours during those two years. “There was just so many aggravating episodes, such as a

ties in the central part of the United States showing 21 cattle-related deaths from 2003 to 2009. Of those deaths, 13 involved attacks by individual bulls, six involved attacks by individual cows and five involved multiple cattle.

Grego said most of the incidents where stockmen are injured resulted from animals that have never acted aggressively toward their owners before.

“Some may have even been show animals that were broke to lead and accustomed to being around humans,” he said.

Victims usually can recall that on the day of

representative from AOL calling and harassing me because this woman opened an account in my name but skipped on the payments,” Matthews says.

The identity thief never served time in jail, despite her arrest, Matthews says. “When she was arrested again, she pleaded guilty, agreed to pay restitution and was released,” Matthews reports.

After her encounter with identity theft, Matthews’ advice is simple: “Get Identity Theft Shield,” she says. “You can take a lot of precautions and still get burned. I can’t imagine the headaches I would have had without my Identity Theft Shield. This could have gone on for years.”

For more information of Identity Theft Shield and Pre-Paid Legal Services, please contact your county Farm Bureau Insurance Agent. * Name changed for security purposes.

Courtesy of Smart Solutions, the official publication of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

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the incident some unusual circumstances could have caused the animal to blow up.

“Cows are prone to do this if you’re doing something with their newborn calf and you get between her and her baby. Dogs may irritate her and she could take out her frustrations on the nearest intruder which could be you,” Grego said.

Bulls tend to become aggressive around cows that are in heat or when other bulls invade their space.

“Don’t assume that an animal that’s halter broke or that you’ve petted out in the pasture won’t have a bad day and their hormones take over. When this occurs, the animals can surprise you at how fast they can move,” Grego said.

“You’re big bull might not be as fast as a smaller animal, but they’ll be quicker than you expect.”

There are several tips stockmen can follow to help avoid injuries from cows or bulls.

“For starters,” said Grego, “always be careful around livestock and have an escape route planned.”

It also is a good idea to carry a device that offers some protection like a hot shot or a big stick in case there is an attack. He also said that while dogs can provoke an animal that they sometimes can help the owner escape by diverting the animal’s attention.

Nose rings in bulls can help control them in some situations.

“We’re not getting any younger, and we probably can’t move as quickly as we could once,” said Grego. “It’s also a good idea to have another person with you when you’re working with newborns or moving bulls.”

He said it is important for stockmen to cull animals that act aggressively.

“Temperament or docility is a heritable trait. If you think some of the animals are inheritantly mean, pay more attention to that trait when you select replacement animals.”

Another recommendation is to not be in a hurry and end up being careless.

“You also need to keep your fences and gates in good repair and sturdy enough to protect you and your help,” Grego said.

Ranchers entering an area with cattle should always be alert, and are advised to take an easy-does-it approach with the animals.

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Oklahoma ag teacher wins national award, truck

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oyota Motor Sales USA awarded a 2010 Toyota Tundra to Mark Sneary, former Garber High School and current Northwest Oklahoma State University professor, for his accomplishments in agriculture education and receiving the Outstanding Teacher Award from the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE).

Sneary received the truck on a two-year lease for his accomplishments during a ceremony held Jan. 15 at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid at halftime of a basketball tournament.

Sneary, a Woods County Farm Bureau member, taught at Garber High School for 20 years before moving recently to Northwest Oklahoma State University.

Sneary strives to challenge students both in and out of the classroom through a variety of teaching methods. While at Garber, students were given a wide range of classes to choose from in the agriculture program, all of which included lecture, demonstrations and hands-on experiences. Classes included an eighth grade exploratory class, agri-science I and II, agriculture power and technology I and II, and agri-business. Many of the students in his classes have gone straight into the workforce, showing how Sneary works hard to prepare them for the real world.

“My primary goal as a teacher is to provide my students with the necessary skills and knowledge to be productive, responsible citizens and to allow them every opportunity to succeed as individuals,” said Sneary. “As an educator, I provide not only classroom instruction, but also individualized instruction as an essential component of my curriculum in an effort to allow students to assimilate what they have learned into a meaningful experience.”

A testament to Sneary’s dedication to students is the 84 state FFA and 22 American FFA degree recipients of the Garber FFA since his arrival to the program. Sneary also has advised four state FFA officers and the Star Farmer of America in 2008. Sneary’s involvement in his students’ life does not stop in the classroom or FFA events; he is wellknown for going above and beyond to help 32 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

students. Whether it is helping pull a calf with a student in the middle of the night or helping fix a flat tire, Sneary’s students can always count on him.

“When I first came to Garber I told Mark that he was doing a lot of things that were not part of his job description. He did not have to go with a student’s parents to Iowa to pick out a hog,” said Marc Hatton, former Garber High School principal. “Of course, he ignored me and has kept on doing much more than he has to. It is who he is. A teacher will do whatever he can to help his students become the best they can possibly be in not only the field of agriculture, but also life.”

“NAAE is honored to have an international company like Toyota recognize the value of U.S. agricultural education and the dedication of the teachers who make it all possible,” said NAAE Executive Director Jay Jackman.

“Coordinating the relationship through the FFA makes the relationship’s impact on the country’s ag community even stronger. We are thrilled to be part of such a worthwhile, engaging sponsorship.”

NAAE selects one postsecondary agricultural program from each of its six regions across the United States to be named the area’s top educator. Sneary represents Region II, which includes Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Six teachers selected by NAAE as the country’s top educators throughout middle school to postsecondary institutions as well as six department representatives from postsecondary programs within each region received a Toyota Tundra Double Cab 5.7L V8 4X4 on a two-year lease. NAAE annually selects the 12 honorees through an application process.

Sneary is the second Farm Bureau member to win the award. Barclay Holt, a Kiowa County member, received a Toyota truck in 2008 from the program for his work as agriculture business management coordinator at

Mark Sneary, Northwest Oklahoma State University Agricultural Teacher and Award Recipient, addresses the crowd during a basketball tournament in Enid. Frank Bianchi, corporate communications manager for Gulf States Toyota, and Scott Northcutt of Northcutt Toyota, watch in appreciation for Mark’s work with the Garber agricultural community.

Northwest Oklahoma Career Tech in Alva.

Sneary is the brother of Woods County Farm Bureau’s Steve Sneary, who was the 2009 OFB Discussion Meet winner. Steve is the farm manager and agriculture instructor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and has served on the state YF&R Committee and as a member of the Woods County Farm Bureau board of directors.

AFBF delegates adopt issues pushed by Oklahoma delegation

C

rop insurance reform, correct use of H1N1 terminology and a change in Department of Transportation rules were among a slew of issues pushed by Oklahoma Farm Bureau delegates at the American Farm Bureau convention in Seattle, Wash., Jan. 9-13.

Oklahoma’s 10 delegates, lead by OFB President Mike Spradling, also joined the 369 delegates to the convention to unanimously approve a special resolution to strongly oppose cap and trade proposals before Congress as well as strongly supporting any legislative action that would suspend EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. The nine Oklahomans who joined the OFB

Oklahoma delegates, from left, Gary Johnson and Curt Roberts listen intently to discussion of an issue during the AFBF policy development session in Seattle. Also pictured are OFB delegates Beverly Delmedico and Mike Spradling.

Roberts holds a voting device in his hand, and is preparing to cast his ballot.

Continued on page 35

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president as delegates were Mike Bolay, William Cubbage, Beverly Delmedico, James Fuser, Gary Johnson, Curt Roberts, Jack Sherry, Carl Williams and Charles Sloan.

“It was a good convention,” said Spradling, “and I believe all of our issues received great support from farmers and ranchers all over the country.”

On crop insurance, voting delegates adopted a resolution stating farmers should be able to purchase double crop insurance for crops that were planted and harvested on the same acreage for the last four years. They also adopted a resolution stating the history of crop loss “may” be spread over 10 years instead of five.

“It would be devastating to Oklahoma producers if we had to use a five-year base for claim loss,” said Spradling. “Our weather is extremely volatile and giving us 10 years to spread the loss history over is more meaningful.”

Responding to the media’s mislabeling H1N1 as swine flu, the delegates urged the news media to use the correct scientific terminology in referring to animal and plant health issues.

Delegates also adopted Oklahoma-requested policy to change the DOT requirement that any vehicle carrying more than 119 gallons of fuel in a tank other than the vehicle fuel tank be placarded to be boosted to 500 gallons.

The resolution on cap and trade asserted the legislation would result in significantly higher production costs for farmers, and that any potential benefits of agricultural offsets are far outweighed by the costs.

“The administration’s economic projections show that the proposed cap and trade legislation would result in planting tress on 59 million acres of crop and pasture land thereby damaging the capability of U.S. agricultural producers to feed a growing world population and create the conditions for (hiking) consumer foods costs. Cap and trade legislation would eliminate jobs, and could result in the loss of 2.3 million jobs in the U.S. over the next 20 years,” according to the resolution.

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34 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

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Delegates also called for meaningful relief from the estate tax, with no conditions or qualifications. They said that an increase in the overall exemption would be Farm Bureau’s main priority. They also reaffirmed support for full stepped-up basis at the time of death in order to reduce the capital gains tax burden on farm and ranch heirs. Also on taxes, the delegates opposed the imposition of any health-related taxes on food or beverages.

The delegates approved policy supporting changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order structure, formulas and price classes used to accurately compute milk prices.

On farm policy, the delegates affirmed their support for the current farm program and continued their support for a mandatory country-of-origin labeling program as enacted in the 2008 farm bill. They also called for a workable ad hoc disaster program and approved a new policy calling for a specialty crops title in future farm bills.

The delegates also expressed the organization’s support for a balanced federal budget, saying the federal deficit should be reduced each year to reach a fully balanced budged by 2019. They said federal spending on government services and entitlements must be reduced.

Spradling said the thorough and complete discussion of the issues indicates Farm Bureau is a true grass roots organization.

“This is one of our proudest moments as a Farm Bureau member when you see voting delegates representing the entire country coming together to agree on these issues,” he remarked.

OFB was recognized during the convention for outstanding membership achievements and for implementing outstanding programs serving members in 2009.

OFB won Awards for Excellence in member services, policy implementation and public relations and information. The state also received a President’s Award in the member services category.

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Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010 • 35

Three members named to FSA State Committee

T

Agrifest Garfield County Farm Bureau President Gary Johnson, center, is flanked by Field Representatives Todd Honer, left, and Burton Harmon, right, at the Farm Bureau booth at the 14th annual KNID Agrifest at the Chisholm Trail Expo Center in Enid as the three chat with a visitor. The Jan. 8 and 9 show attracted an estimated 60,000 plus visitors despite frigid temperatures that kept Oklahoma in the deep freeze. Johnson said the Farm Bureau booth has been a fixture at each farm show since the event began. Several prizes including two air compressors, tape measures, emergency roadside kits and garden hand tools were awarded to those lucky enough to have their names drawn from the hopper at the Farm Bureau booth.

Everyone stopping by was offered information about Farm Bureau as well as free candy and gum. Alfalfa, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Kingfisher, Kay, Major, Noble and Woods County Farm Bureaus sponsored the prizes awarded at the booth. An estimated $100 million worth of agricultural equipment and products were housed in the indoor center, affording visitors a comfortable venue despite the freezing outdoor temperatures.

Don’t CAP Our Future Oklahoma’s two U.S. Senators were on hand to accept some of the 100,000 grassroots calls to action from AFBF President Bob Stallman March 10 in Washington, D.C. Senators Inhofe, top photo, and Coburn, bottom photo, appear with Stallman. AFBF culminated its six-month-long campaign to oppose cap-and-trade climate change regulations by presenting key lawmakers the giant signed screen plus stacks of post cards and correspondence sent by Farm Bureau members across the nation.

36 • Oklahoma Country • Spring 2010

hree of the five people appointed to the Oklahoma Farm Service Agency State Committee by the Obama administration are Oklahoma Farm Bureau members.

Farm Bureau members Steve Nunley, Brenda Neufeld and Jack Sherry were named to the committee.

The state committee members oversee the activities of the agency, including carrying out the state agricultural conservation programs, resolving appeals from the agricultural community and keeping producers informed about FSA programs.

Nunley, who is from Marlow, is a Stephens County Farm Bureau member and has served on the county board of directors. He is a former chairman of the Oklahoma YF&R Committee and also served as chairman of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s YF&R Committee.

He has been named OFB’s Achievement Award winner, recognizing him as the state’s top young farmer. He also is a winner of the Western Region Dairy and Crop Production Proficiency Award.

Neufeld, who is from Fairview, is a Major County Farm Bureau member and currently serves on the county’s Women’s Committee.

She plays an integral part in her family’s farm operation, where she is involved in the production of dairy-quality alfalfa hay, wheat and cattle. She also is a tax accountant. She has served as Major County Progressive Farmer Safety Day coordinator, Ag in the Classroom presenter and teacher tour host.

Sherry, who is from Holdenville, is a Hughes County Farm Bureau member and serves on the county board of directors. He is part owner of a 2,000-acre farm and ranch. Sherry also is the current president of the Holdenville Chamber of Commerce and president of the Holdenville School Board. He has been president of the county Young Farmers and county Cattlemen’s Association. Sherry also served on the 2009 OFB State Resolutions Committee.