is more than just recipes 500 treats plus interviews and photos fill Peaches & Past Times By Mike Nichols
ee Totzke can get you in a jam, or a fuzzy almond or even a stuffed peach. As a matter of fact, this Love County Farm Bureau member has about 500 tested recipes using peaches he can get you into in his new book, Peaches & Past Times Cookbook. The unique book is both a written and pictorial history of peaches and contains recipes for all cooking skill levels. Its pages cover thousands of miles, three centuries and generations of peach growers. The one definite difference between this cookbook and others on the market is the collection of interviews it contains, which makes the recipes more personal. “I started out to do a small, regional cookbook for southwest Michigan peach growers,” said Lee, who grew up in that part of the Wolverine State in a family of fruit growers near the largest wholesale grower-to-buyer fresh fruit market in the United States. “It was the first time I’ve done such a thing.” 28 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2006
Lee’s father was from a family of 18 children, and his mother was from a family of 13 children. “I inherited all of those old family recipes,” he said. Some of the recipes in the book came from his mother’s old metal recipe box. When he began working on the book, word leaked and his life for the next few years became “peachy.” He was contacted by peach growers in the Stratford area who learned what he was doing, and before his writing and collection journey concluded even the president of the National Peach Growers Association rang his phone. That call convinced Lee to “go national with the book.” “The word spread. . .One interview started by phone and concluded with me driving over a thousand miles. I needed to look the person in the eyes. Another started at a dining room table and ended hours later in the attic. “Meeting with the original growers’
Lee Totzke leafs through his Peaches & Past Times book which took him on a journey across much of the United States to meet generations of peach growers to collect their stories and recipes. Opposite page, top: Lee’s new book, Peaches & Past Times Cookbook, can be found in most major bookstores. It’s also available on the Internet at the publisher’s website, pandpublising.com, as well as Amazon.com and at leetotzke.com. Opposite page, bottom: Lee signs a copy of his new book, Peaches & Past Times Cookbook, for a buyer. The book was released just in time for the Christmas season.
Editor’s Note: This is Lee’s favorite recipe from his Peaches & Past Times cookbook. “I’ve made it many times,” he said. “I love them.
Peaches and Cream Muffins 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup milk 1 large egg 1 cup fresh peaches, peeled and diced Melted butter 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted lightly Sugar
Peach Cream Filling 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened 1 cup peach preserves, mashed 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat milk and egg together. Add to creamed mixture, blending lightly. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture, blending well. Fold in diced peaches. Fill muffin cups with batter about two-thirds full. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Five minutes or so after removing muffins from oven brush with melted butter. Gently press a few toasted almonds on top of each muffin and sprinkle with sugar. After muffins have completely cooled, cream the filling ingredients together. Place in pastry bag with a large mouth tip and gently squeeze peach cream into each muffin by inserting the tip into the middle of the bottom of each muffin. Gently squeeze, do not over fill. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve. Take muffins out of refrigerator about 10-15 minutes before serving to allow cream mixture to soften.
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Lee resides near Marietta, and is a Love County Farm Bureau member. He’s been a Farm Bureau member for as long as he can remember, following his parent’s example dating to 1937. Lee rises at about 4 a.m. daily and spends the next hour writing a letter, something he’s done unfailingly every day for the past 35 years. He sends the letter to family and friends, or a stranger he’s read about in a newspaper who has accomplished something of note or someone down on his or her luck.
grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who now operate some of the family farms was a pure joy.” He also met with professional chefs, home cooks, small business owners and baking contest winners to assemble the recipes appearing in the book. About 1,000 recipes were submitted to the publisher, and the list was whittled down to about 500 tested recipes. “Those (the 500 that didn’t make the book) were not bad recipes,” Lee said. “There were just a lot of almost duplicates.” His 240-page hardback book is the first he knows of that is dedicated solely to the peach. And, he’s the first to admit that a peachthemed cookbook is a bit off the beaten path. “It’s unusual. Nothing major had ever been done on peaches before.” Recipes in the book vary from simple farm fare to more challenging creations from chefs. All things peach – from appetizers and beverages, breakfast foods, entrees and side dishes to pies, cakes, desserts and jams, jellies and condiments – are tucked in the book amid both historic and current photos plus interviews. “It has been really well received,” Lee said of his book. “There’s been a tremendous response from all the distributors around the country. Most states grow peaches, so there’s always a kinship there.” The book sells for $24.95 and is available at most major bookstores plus Amazon.com, the publisher’s website, www.pandpublishing.com, and leetotzke.com. “I don’t know,” Lee answers quickly when asked if he’ll do another book. “I’ve been asked that so much. I have enough to do others.” he Michigan transplant moved to the Marietta area in 1993 because he had several friends and relatives there. He has a bachelor of science degree in horticulture from Michigan State University and did post graduate work at DuPage Horticultural School in Illinois where he received a specialization in historical gardens. Before coming to Oklahoma, Lee managed several different large nursery businesses in the Chicago area. He also taught hundreds each year in special classes on growing herbs, and worked to help growers with both vegetable and flower gardens. “It sure is a lot different than Michigan,” he said of his move. “My last winter in Michigan we had 93 inches of snow. My first year here, we had 40 days of 100-plus temperatures.” His expertise in the horticultural arena keeps him busy today with speaking engagements across the United States. “There’s two-year wait on booking me to speak,” Lee said. He speaks to groups as small as 50 all the way up to 2,000 at state conventions and university functions as well as church groups. Lee’s first brush with notoriety came when he copyrighted and made the Biblical Wreath. He was seriously ill and hospitalized for about a year when the idea for the wreath came to him. “I needed something to occupy my mind,” said Lee of his long stint in the hospital. “I kept thinking what can I get into.” Lee’s expertise in horticulture and his faith sent him to reading the Bible, where he discovered that more than 100 plants are mentioned in
its verses. He picked 30 of those plants to use and make his Biblical wreath. He harvested and dried most of the 30 plants used to make the wreaths, with each one requiring countless hours to manufacture. Drying times for some of the plants were as long as seven weeks. It also took considerable Biblical knowledge and research to discover names of some of the plants, since many were identified by archaic or obsolete names in the Scriptures. The wreaths were extremely popular, gracing the décor of many churches and residences. They also were warmly received by Presidents Bush and Nixon along with Lady Bird Johnson. “The wreath was very popular, but I had to stop making them since one of the chemicals used in the preservative formula came from
overseas and became unavailable.” While he can’t make the wreaths anymore, the demand for them spurred Lee to produce prints and canvases of them. He unveiled another talent – painting – to do the original art for the prints and canvases about 10 or 15 years ago. Pen and ink prints sell for $19.95 each, and the 24- x 38-inch framed full color canvas version is $169.95. They are available on Lee’s website at www.leetotzke.com. t might seem that Lee’s days are occupied with his writing, speaking engagements and art, but there’s more. His busiest times are monthly at the world’s largest outdoor market, First Monday Trade Days at Canton, Tex. Lee has a 2,000 Lee poses with one of square-foot-space his original Biblical there named The Wreaths. A preservative he Uncommon Touch, used to make the wreaths where he sells home is no longer available, but he has prints of an décor, his Biblical original painting he did Wreath art and that are sold today. copies of his book. He is one of 8,000 vendors at the event, which traces its roots back more than 150 years. The event takes place Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of each month at the east Texas town. It offers antiques, furniture, home décor, arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, tools, produce and more. “At the last one, we had well over one million customers,” said Lee. “I took checks from people from 30 states. I am so grateful to our customers that have supported us for 16 years. Last month I sold a tremendous amount (of his art). People really enjoy it.” Lee also has hosted a one-day-per-year show and sale at his place near Marietta. It was by invitation only, and was a big success. “It grew so big I couldn’t handle it,” he says. “The last one was two years ago.” He’s thinking about hosting it again, with maybe a two- or three-show event instead of a one-day. The volunteer fire department at his small community of Enville likely is hoping he does. At previous shows and sales, he did not charge vendors for spaces but asked that they donate 10 percent of their sales to the volunteer fire department. “The fire department was having cake walks to raise money, but it didn’t have to when we had the show and sale.” Since he stopped, the department is back to having its own fundraisers. The fire department recently lavished honors on him for his contributions from the show and sale. “I figure,” Lee concluded, “I need to get the show going again.” Oklahoma Country • Summer 2009 • 31
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Oklahoma Country • Summer 2009 • 33
All Around
Oklahoma
Use an ‘abundance of caution’ on rural roads, highways rom now until about November, farm machinery will be a frequent sight on rural roads and highways as farmers go from field to field to plant, harvest or work their fields. “Most farmers have to travel to access their fields,” said Justin Grego, Safety Services director for Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “Everyone shares the responsibility to keep roads safe, and whether operating a farm implement or sharing the road with one you should exercise an abundance of caution.” Tractor and motor vehicle collisions cause about 50 tractor driver deaths each year nationally. And, Grego said that figure does not include drivers and passengers of the vehicles involved in the collision. “Several years ago when tractors and farm equipment weren’t so big, motorists usually fared better if there was a collision. Now, with larger tractors and machinery, the motorist usually loses,” Grego explained. “It’s usually the motorists at fault,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Mitch Nelson, “and they’re usually going too fast.”
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“Statistics show the biggest cause of farm equipment and vehicle accidents is speed,” agreed Grego. “The difference in speed between cars and tractors is the major cause of tractor accidents on public roads,” he continued. “The higher rate of speed results in the motorist approaching the tractor so quickly that they have only a few seconds to identify the hazard and react.” Nelson, who resides in Logan County, said state law requires farmers moving equipment on public roadways to display a slow moving vehicle (SMV) emblem to alert motorists. That brightly colored, reflective emblem should be displayed on the rear of the tractor or on the very end of the load being pulled. The OHP trooper said flashers also should be used when farmers are on roadways with their tractors and equipment. White or amber lights should be mounted on the front of the vehicle and red or amber lights on the rear. “These lights should be activated when the tractor or equipment is on the road,” Nelson said.
If pulling a large piece of equipment, the trooper recommended that farmers place reflective material on both the front and rear the edges of the equipment to increase visibility. He said motorists meeting or following a tractor pulling equipment often see the tractor but fail to see the equipment, and clip it with their vehicle. “We definitely recommend effective lighting and marking for tractors and equipment,” said Grego. “Farmers should be obvious to motorists, and using the SMV emblem and reflective materials on equipment certainly makes them more apparent to drivers. “And, like everything else, the SMV emblems and reflective materials don’t last forever. They should be replaced every two or three years, and farmers should always check before getting on a road to make sure those markers are free of dirt and debris.” Grego said that many rural roads where tractors and equipment will be traveling are just barley the width of two cars. “Today’s large equipment sometimes overlaps into other lanes, creating another hazardous situation on those rural roads. People living in rural areas think they know their roads like the back of their hands,” Grego said, “but they don’t always know what hazards may lie ahead.” The OFB Safety director said there are several important things to remember when drivers encounter machinery on roads and highways. “First,” he declared, “always reduce your speed and be alert. And always keep a safe distance so the farmer can see you either in his mirrors or by glancing over his shoulder.” Grego also cautioned motorists to watch for farmers using hand signals or turn signals. “It takes a tractor about 10 seconds to cross a road, and maybe just a bit less or more Motorists, particularly those traveling rural roads and highways, should expect to see a steady flow of farm equipment and machinery until November. Farmers and motorists will share the roads, and also share the responsibility to keep roads safe. Farmers should make sure they have slow moving vehicle emblems and reflective material on all equipment, and motorists should slow down to give themselves time to react to the farm machinery.
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depending upon the operator to make a turn. A car going 55 miles per hour will travel about 800 feet in 10 seconds. That difference is why motorists need to be alert.” Motorists also need to be aware that farm equipment is wide, heavy and noisy. “Don’t assume,” Grego said, “that the farmer knows you’re there. Before you attempt to pass, blow your horn and flash your lights to get his
attention. Most farmers are courteous and will pull off the road when it’s safe to allow traffic to pass.” For those moving tractors and equipment on roads, Grego emphasized that having SMV emblems and reflective material in place is critical along with proper warning lights. Admitting that it’s not always feasible for farmers, he said it is prudent to avoid moving
tractors and equipment before sunrise and after sunset. “Transporting machinery from one field to another on public roads is a necessity for many farmers,” Grego concluded, “but the potential for accidents is high. Both operators and motorists need to recognize the potential dangers and exercise caution, especially during this peak farming season.”
Four meals for four for under $30? Yes you can! resident Herbert Hoover chicken, cauliflower and coined the phrase a vegetable oil topped the $2.24 “chicken in every pot,” but sales tax on the list. Roberta Hughes has found a way Roberta demonstrated how to make that one chicken span to make the four meals at the four meals for four for under $30. FBW District 8 meeting May 30 With hamburgers going for $4 in Seminole. She even to $6 each, it’s hard to imagine demonstrated how to cut up a that four meals for four could be whole chicken, a feat some of served for under $30. But, the the women in the audience Farm Bureau Women’s Committee didn’t know how to do in District 8 representative today’s age of ready-to-eat, demonstrated exactly how it’s done. microwavable meals and fast Roberta Hughes The grocery list for the four food restaurants. meals for four was $24.24, and the sales tax Following are the recipes from on the supplies was one of the most expensive Roberta’s presentation on the four meals for items on the list. Only the 3- to 4-pound whole four for $30:
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CHICKEN CROQUETAS Chicken Stock • 1 chicken carcass • 2 chicken wing tips • 1 chicken neck • 1 chicken skin • 2 stalks celery • 2 small onions • 1 onion • 4 quarts wager Rinse the chicken parts well and place them in a large stockpot and cover with water. Bring to a simmer. Skim any foam off the surface. Add the vegetables to the pot and simmer 1 to 2 hours. Strain and reserve the chicken and vegetables for the croquetas. Chicken Croqueta Mixture Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for at least 10 minutes until the flour starts to take on a golden color. Stir in the milk and chicken stock. Cook stirring continuously, until achieving a thick, smooth consistency. Chop up the chicken and vegetables from the stock. Add to the FBW District 8 Committeewoman Roberta Hughes demonstrated how to cut up a whole chicken before revealing how to make four meals for four for under $30. Her demonstration was a part of the FBW District 8 Day May 30 in Seminole. Oklahoma Country • Summer 2009 • 35
croqueta mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt to taste. Remove from heat and spread mixture on a cookie sheet. Once the mixture has cooled completely, take a small amount and roll it into 2-inch cylinder and repeat with all of the mixture. Bread the corquetas by rolling them in flour, dipping them in egg and then rolling them in breadcrumbs. In a saucepan, heat oil to 375 degrees and working in small batches, fry the croquetas until golden color (about 2 minutes). Drain on a paper towel. ROASTED CHICKEN AND POTATOES • 2 chicken leg quarters, leg and thigh separated • 8 medium potatoes • 4 plum tomatoes • 2 carrots • 1 Spanish onion • 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil • 1/2 cup water • Salt to taste Quarter the onion, leaving a little root to hold it together while cooking. Leave the potatoes whole. Peel the carrots and cut them into small pieces. Season everything with salt and coat in oil, and place in a casserole dish with 1/2 cup of water. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Serve hot. CHICKEN RICE PAELLA • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil • 2 chicken wings • 2 chicken tenderloins, chopped • Chicken liver, chopped • Chicken gizzard, chopped • 3 plum tomatoes, pureed (or half a 14.5-ounce can of pureed tomatoes) • 20 green beans • 4 cloves garlic • 4 cups of water • 1 cup rice • Salt to taste In a large sauté or paella pan, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium high heat. Sear chicken wings and tenderloin until golden. Add garlic, cook for a minute then stir in the green beans. Cook for a minute, then add chicken liver and gizzard. Cook another minute and stir in tomato puree. Allow to cook another minute. Add the water to the pan and bring to a boil. Once water begins to boil, stir in the rice. Stir until the ingredients are distributed 36 • Oklahoma Country • Summer 2009
evenly throughout the pan. Return the wings and the tenderloin to the pan. Lower the heat to simmer, then cook for 20 minutes without stirring. CHICKEN BREAST AND CATALAN CAULIFLOWER • 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced • 1/2 bunch parsley • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 3/4 cup vegetable oil • 1 head of cauliflower, trimmed and broken into pieces • Salt to taste Mix the parsley, garlic and 1/2 cup of oil in the blender until smooth. Marinate the chicken breast in the mixture. Season the chicken with salt. Over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add chicken and sauté until the chicken begins to brown. In a separate pan, bring salted water to a boil, add cauliflower and cook until tender (about 5 minutes). Season with salt to taste, drizzle with oil. Served with the seared chicken breast.
Protect your rights with a Pre-Paid Legal membership e live in a time where families are busier than ever. By the time you get off from work, pick up the kids, get dinner and help with homework, your actionpacked day is done. But what happens when something comes up? Say your teenager comes home with a speeding ticket, your spouse got into a fender bender, or you are having problems with a neighbor. While extremely high fees have alienated most people from consulting attorneys, Pre-Paid Legal members are receiving attorney consultations for a low monthly fee, on an unlimited number of matters. While many spend time struggling to find a good attorney, or giving up because
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they’re afraid of the cost, Pre-Paid Legal members are given a toll-free number to call and consult an experienced attorney whenever they have a question or concern. Pre-Paid Legal is a pioneer of the legal expense plan industry in the United States. In the late 1960s, Harland Stonecipher was involved in a car accident resulting in a law suit filed by the other party. Though completely innocent, Stonecipher was forced to spend thousands of dollars to prove his innocence. Three years later, Stonecipher founded Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. Today, the NYSE traded company is dedicated now more than ever to providing quality legal coverage to families across the nation – at a rate families can afford. With the troubled economy, Pre-Paid Legal has found that the need for legal assistance is more prevalent than ever. Famlies can call and consult provider attorneys on issues such as foreclosures or audits without the worry of paying high fees. Pre-Paid Legal’s plans were created to offer coverage to a family throughout life’s events. When someone becomes a Pre-Paid Legal member, they receive a membership packet in the mail which details their member benefits, and includes membership cards for the whole family. These cards have a special toll-free phone number on the back, which is their direct link to one of Pre-Paid Legal’s provider law firms. One call is all it takes, and a member can have legal questions answered by an experienced attorney. Legal Plans allow a family to have their will, living will and health care, and power of attorney prepared. Other benefits are included as well, such as phone consultation, and contract and document review. Your provider attorney can also make a phone call or write a letter on your behalf, to assist you in resolving a legal matter. The plan offers many other benefits and is designed to meet the legal service needs of most families. Pre-Paid Legal plans stand out among the rest because they are backed by a network of
provider attorneys. To ensure exceptional customer service, Pre-Paid Legal monitors the call volume to the attorneys up to how many times the phone rings before the phone is answered. All law firms are continually evaluated to ensure superior customer service every time. Members can call for legal advice beginning the very day they sign up. Additionally, with Identity Theft impacting over 9 million Americans a year, Pre-Paid
Legal offers an Identity Theft ShieldSM Plan (highlighted in this publication in the letter by Darryl Sinclair, OFBMIC General Manager). This product offers valuable identity theft services that can be purchased as a standalone product, or for the most benefit, in combination with a legal plan. Last year as the economy suffered, Pre-Paid Legal Attorneys were writing letters and making phone calls on behalf of members,
ensuring their rights were protected and literally saving them millions! With a legal plan, families can seek to fight foreclosures, get back hard earned money that’s owed to them, and ensure their rights are protected. This is all possible right now with Pre-Paid Legal. For more information, or to sign up for this valuable service, contact your county Farm Bureau.
SEQUOYAH COUNTY DEDICATES NEW OFFICE Members of Sequoyah County Farm Bureau’s board of directors pose in front of the sign on the new county office during the open house April 16. Many members and visitors attended the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. grand opening celebration, which featured a buffet and the opportunity to get a look at the new facility. The red brick building has about 3,000 square feet of floor space and offers ample meeting space for county functions. Board members on hand for the grand opening were, from left, Harrell Lee, Jerry Green, Charles Sloan, Wayne Ford and Jesse Harrison.
A large crowd assembled for the official ribbon cutting ceremony during the open house for the new Sequoyah County Farm Bureau office in Sallisaw. State leaders and staff along with members and office staffs from the Sallisaw and Roland offices attended. County President Charles Sloan, who also serves as district six state director, took scissors to the red ribbon to make the event official.
Oklahoma Country • Summer 2009 • 37
Youth Expo honors Farm Bureau with Volume Buyer Award he Oklahoma Youth Expo honored Oklahoma Farm Bureau for the eighth consecutive year with the Volume Buyer Award prior to the March 23 Sale of Champions. Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling accepted the honor in the sale ring at the State Fairgrounds Arena. The award honors the organization, business or individual that purchases the most animals during the Sale of Champions.
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Farm Bureau has been the top volume buyer each year since 2001. When the dust settled following the auction at the 95th annual Youth Expo, Farm Bureau paid premiums on 26 of the 195 animals making the sale, six more than the organization paid premiums on at the 2008 auction. More than $700,000 came in during the Sale of Champions. That amount does not include add-ons for the animals in the premium sale. The $700,000-plus figure was on
top of the nearly $1.5 million in awards and scholarships that were handed out during the week to the more than 6,500 students who had more than 13,700 entries in the world’s largest junior livestock show. Farm Bureau joined forces with Blue and Gold Sausage and the Choctaw Nation to purchase the grand champion barrow. Collin Listen of El Reno FFA received a $20,000 premium for his 280-pound Hampshire. Farm Bureau also was a part of a combine
that made the top bid for the grand champion goat, which was exhibited by Mercedes Hardin of Hennessey FFA. Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Services, the Meat Goat Association, a group of state House members, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Oklahoma Youth Expo paid $8,000 for the 98-pound wether goat. Farm Bureau was the purchaser of the silver chalice going to the exhibitor of the grand champion steer, Ky Stierwalt of Leedey FFA. The 1,335-pound crossbred steer brought a record $53,000 premium from a combine of eight bidders. The organization also purchased the chalice for the bronze
medallion meat goat, exhibited by Lora Riley of Alva 4-H. Bidders paid a $7,000 premium for that goat. Other prize-winning animals Farm Bureau paid premiums on included: • The 1,335-pound reserve breed champion Charolais steer exhibited by Sydney Johnston of Sapulpa FFA. • The 112-pound sixth place wether goat exhibited by Tyler Boles of Asher FFA. • The 159-pound fourth place crossbred lamb exhibited by Tara Burchfield of Fairview FFA. • The 159-pound second place Suffolk lamb exhibited by Madison McGolden of Fairview FFA. • The 167-pound fourth place natural colored lamb exhibited by Hayley Price of Moss FFA. • The 98-pound eighth place wether goat exhibited by Justin Pfeiffer of Alva FFA. • The 86-pound eleventh place wether goat exhibited by Blake Kennedy of Tecumseh 4-H. • The 1,339-pound fifth place Angus steer exhibited by Reed Abernathy of Altus FFA. • The 280-pound fifth place Yorkshire barrow exhibited by Trevor Thomasson of Davis FFA. • The 162-pound sixth place crossbred lamb exhibited by Kamden Urban of Navajo 4-H. • The 1,265-pound sixth place Maine-Anjou steer exhibited by Haden Helderman of Sulphur FFA. • The 1,295-pound sixth place Angus steer exhibited by Jordon Peach of Mooreland FFA. • The 146-pound fifth place Hampshire lamb Far left, top: Farm Bureau joined forces with Blue and Gold Sausage and the Choctaw Nation to offer the winning bid on the grand champion barrow at the March 23 Sale of Champions. Collin Listen of El Reno FFA received a $20,000 premium for his 280-pound Hampshire. OFB’s board of directors, Blue and Gold representatives, Choctaw Nation representatives and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins are shown in this photo in the sale ring. Far left, bottom: Oklahoma Farm Bureau joined forces with Farm Credit Services, the Meat Goat Association, a group of state House members, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and Oklahoma Youth Expo to pay the premium on the grand champion goat. Mercedes Hardin of Hennessey FFA exhibited the 98-pound goat, which brought an $8,000 premium. Left: Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) honored Oklahoma Farm Bureau for the eighth consecutive year with the Volume Buyer Award March 23. OFB President Mike Spradling accepted the award from Melisa Eisenhauer, OYE show manager, prior to the beginning of the Sale of Champions at the State Fairgrounds Arena. The award honors the organization, business or individual that purchases the most animals during the Sale of Champions. OFB has been the top volume buyer in the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 auctions.
exhibited by Chelsea Head of Waynoka FFA. • The 1,335-pound seventh place Chianina steer exhibited by Heath Helderman of Sulphur FFA. • The 280-pound sixth place Yorkshire barrow exhibited by Morgan Brunnemer of Payne County 4-H. • The 139-pound eighth place natural colored lamb exhibited by Kylee Donaho of Sulphur FFA. • The 138-pound seventh place Suffolk lamb exhibited by Weston Hill of Waynoka FFA. • The 1,329-pound eleventh place crossbred steer exhibited by Colten Helderman of Hinton FFA. • The 270-pound seventeenth place crossbred barrow exhibited by Travis Bourgeois of Altus FFA. • The 277-pound nineteenth place crossbred barrow exhibited by Jessee Ferrell of Comanche FFA. • The 169-pound thirteenth place crossbred lamb exhibited by Laurie Fitch of Stillwater FFA. • The 162-pound fourteenth place crossbred lamb exhibited by Lane Newlin of Burlington FFA. • The 139-pound eighteenth place crossbred lamb exhibited by Carson Vinyard of Altus FFA. • The 152-pound nineteenth place crossbred lamb exhibited by Lane Daniel of Hollis FFA.
Win a Dodge Ram at YF&R contests
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ost accolades come in the form of flimsy ribbons or cheap pieces of plastic, but the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers competitions give you the chance to win a legendary Dodge truck. Show off your agricultural know-how at the National Convention in Seattle, WA, Jan. 10-13, 2010, and you could win a brand new Dodge Ram. The contest is open to all YF&R members, so contact your local Farm Bureau for all entry details. For more information about Dodge Ram trucks, visit dodge.com or call 800-4ADODGE. Oklahoma Country • Summer 2009 • 39
OFB leaders spend time educating’ new officials during annual visit to D.C. uring their annual Congressional Action Tour of Washington, D.C., Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders spent much of their time educating public officials and staff on agricultural issues. The effort was necessary because the new administration is filled with key staff members possessing little agricultural knowledge.
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“We’re a small minority but we produce 100 percent of the food and fiber necessary to run this country and we think that’s pretty important,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. He noted that Oklahoma is fortunate to have a congressional delegation that understands rural and agricultural issues, but
TASTE BUD TEMPTING FARE
District 13 State Representative Jerry McPeak chats with Logan County’s Agnes Schneider, left, and Rogers County’s Wanda Snider after
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filling his plate at the 2009 Farm City Festival April 21. About 75 members representing county Women’s Committees were on hand to celebrate Farm City Festival activities at the state capitol. Each year Farm Bureau Women’s Committee members from across the state prepare a special luncheon for lawmakers and their staffs to emphasize the major role agriculture plays in the Oklahoma economy, and to the state’s agricultural efficiency and abundance. The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Committee sponsors the event, which attracted more than 600 guests this year to the first floor rotunda. The annual event is popular with the capitol crowd as evidenced by the secretary pictured who filled multiple plates with homemade goodies.
that is not the case for many of those working in the nation’s capitol. “We’re very fortunate to have people like Congressman Frank Lucas that have a common sense approach to agriculture, energy and other key rural industries,” Spradling said. Lucas is the ranking minority member on the House Agriculture Committee. “Congressman Lucas told us he has had a lot of work to do educating other members of the agriculture committee and the new members of the Obama administration.” mong the issues farmers are concerned about is the EPA proposal to require livestock producers to obtain Title V operating permits under the Clean Air Act, the so-called “cow tax.” Lucas has introduced HR 1426, which will stop the EPA’s proposal that is estimated to cost producers about $88 per animal. During a meeting with Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Spradling was told the cow tax is not going to happen. “We are pleased to hear Chairman Peterson’s reassurance the cow tax is a non issue,” Spradling said. “It was a dumb idea that just did not make sense.” Farm Bureau leaders also thanked Oklahoma Representatives Dan Boren and Mary Fallin for continuing to work on the farm truck weight issue. They authored HR 1220, which would change the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations definition of a commercial motor carrier from 10,001 pounds to 26,001 pounds. The Oklahoma group also was buoyed by news there will not be any reduction in the agriculture budget this year. “We are pleased to know the administration is not going to punish an industry that is not mired in financial scandal in need of a multibillion-dollar bail out,” Spradling said. In addition to meeting with congressional leaders and staff, the farm group met with USDA crop insurance officials including Bob Murphy, deputy administrator for insurance services. Murphy assured the group there would be no budget cuts and he would continue to look for ways to improve the federal crop insurance program. Approximately 70 Oklahoma farm leaders made the March 29 to April 2 trip to Washington, D.C.
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Oklahoma’s third district U.S. Representative Frank Lucas speaks to Farm Bureau members as a part of OFB’s annual Congressional Action Tour. Some 70 Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders made the March 29 to April 2 trip to the nation’s capitol to visit with all members of the state’s Congressional delegation. Lucas, the ranking minority member of the House Agriculture Committee, told the OFB leaders he has worked extensively to educate new members of the Obama administration on agricultural issues.
Tax credit available for first-time homebuyers axpayers who are considering purchasing their first home in 2009 should be aware of a new tax credit that is available. In February 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This legislation provides first-time homebuyers with a tax credit of 10 percent of the purchase price of a home up to $8,000, or $4,000 each for married couples who file separate returns. The amount of credit begins to phase out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is more than $75,000 for individuals or $150,000 for joint filers. You are considered a first-time homebuyer if you did not own a home during the last three years. “In order to be eligible for the tax credit, qualifying taxpayers must purchase a home by Dec. 1, 2009,” said Eileen St. Pierre, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension personal finance specialist. “Homes that are for sale through a real estate agent, or those for sale by owner, are qualifying first-time homes. However, individuals who purchase a
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First-time homebuyers can qualify for a tax credit of 10 percent of the purchase price under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
home from a family member are not eligible for the tax credit.” Taxpayers who already may be receiving a sizeable refund may want to wait and claim the credit on their 2009 return. Amended returns also may be submitted if a taxpayer has already filed a 2008 return but plans to purchase a home by Dec. 1. St. Pierre noted that this credit should not be confused with the tax credit offered to firsttime homebuyers in 2008. The 2008 credit gave taxpayers what amounts to an interestfree loan equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of a home up to $7,500, or $3,750 for
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married couples filing individually. “These funds must be paid back to the government over 15 years beginning in the 2010 tax year,” she said. “Funds need to be paid back earlier if the home is sold before the entire loan is repaid. This new tax credit approved earlier this year is strictly a tax credit and doesn’t have to be repaid as long as the home remains the taxpayer’s primary residence for 36 months after the purchase date.” You need to file Form 5405 to claim the credit. To download this form and for more information on the first-time homebuyer tax credit, visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.
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