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through opening and contributing to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

There are two types of IRAs available, a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. Each has different structures and benefits for their contributors. Finding the proper IRA for each individual’s needs will make planning for retirement even easier.

The Traditional IRA is a tax-sheltered retirement account, meaning the only time IRA income is taxed is upon withdrawal.

Deferring taxes allows the IRA funds to grow at a faster rate than a traditional savings account. Another great benefit to the Traditional IRA is that qualified contributions are tax deductible. The Traditional IRA is a better option for those who believe they will be at a lower income level when they retire because their earnings (upon withdrawal) will be taxed at a lower rate.

The Roth IRA is not tax deductible, but earnings are tax-exempt, so there is no tax on qualified withdrawals. Even though contributions are taxed up front, it is still

possible to build up a hefty savings and there are no taxes to pay later. Typically, Roth IRAs are a good option for those who are a long way from retirement.

IRAs can earn interest in varying amounts depending on what type of account is established. Farm Bureau Bank offers two options for IRA contributions, a Money Market IRA and a Certificate of Deposit (CD) IRA. The Money Market IRA allows accountholders to contribute multiple times over the course of the year. Rates are tiered based upon the balance of the account, so the more that is contributed; the more interest is earned over the years. It only requires a $250 initial opening deposit, and since it accepts unlimited deposits, it is better for those who want to make multiple contributions throughout the year.

The CD IRA may be a better option if accountholders want to deposit lump-sum contributions or rollover a previous 401k account or another IRA. The CD IRA requires a $1,000 initial opening deposit. It offers a low-

risk, high-return option in three-month to fiveyear terms. CD IRAs provide all of the securities of a CD, plus the tax advantages of an IRA. Both the CD IRA and the Money Market IRA are FDIC insured and are available for rollovers.

The future is not as far away as it seems.

Start planning today by opening an IRA. Farm Bureau Bank can help fulfill retirement goals by offering both Traditional and Roth IRAs. For current interest rates and more information about IRA options from Farm Bureau Bank, visit www.farmbureaubank.com or call 1-800-492-3276 to speak with a personal banker.

Clarification n the fall issue, the site of some photos in the Big, Blonde and Beautiful feature was identified as the Diamond K Ranch in Kentucky.

The location actually was the Kentucky Horse Park.

I

Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006 • 23

Convention

Roundup

Delegates set OFB policy for 2006 OFB President Steve Kouplen points to recognize a delegate to address an issue during one of the sessions where resolutions were considered. OFB Vice President Mike Spradling, left, joined him on stage during the resolution sessions.

elegates to Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 64th annual convention set the organization’s policy for 2006, taking strong stands on issues pertaining to eminent domain, energy and farm programs.

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Kelo vs. City of New London (Connecticut) fresh on their minds, the delegates from 77

county Farm Bureaus made reform of eminent domain laws a top priority during the Nov. 1214 meeting in Oklahoma City.

The Supreme Court ruling said state and local governments can take private property for economic development projects, but also said states can enact laws disallowing the taking of private property for economic benefit.

Policy was approved calling for Oklahoma to adopt laws protecting private property owners from the use of eminent domain by government to take property for other private uses.

To better contend with soaring fuel prices, delegates asked for expanded state and federal tax credits to encourage the production of renewable fuels. They also supported creation of alternate fuel plants in Oklahoma, using Oklahoma farm products, for increased production of alternate fuels.

The delegates called for a federal farm program that allows farmers to make a profit while maintaining a healthy environment by using proven conservation practices to produce a safe and abundant supply of food and fiber.

They reinforced the organization’s sciencebased stance against government, whether state or federal, labeling any individual component of animal waste as a hazardous material. The action came in response to the

Roland Pederson

Barry Flinchbaugh

U. S. Representative Frank Lucas

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24 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006

Oklahoma attorney general’s assault on the state poultry industry and similar unjust attacks in other states against livestock industry segments.

Delegates also adopted policy wholeheartedly supporting Ag in the Classroom efforts in Oklahoma, instructing OFB to continue its support and participation in the program. The purpose of Ag in the Classroom is to help familiarize Oklahoma school children with Oklahoma's number one industry – the food and fiber industry.

Support also was offered to the state Department of Agriculture and Oklahoma State University for their effort to obtain additional funding for Ag in the Classroom.

Delegates said if more funding is provided that the program should be expanded to include seventh and eighth grade students in the educational effort, which currently focuses on elementary students.

The delegates gave unanimous approval to a commendation for the OFB Legal Foundation and OFB thanking the entities for their support and guidance in developing a solid waste management plan for Kay County.

Kay County was targeted by an out-of-state disposal company as the site for a large

landfill for refuge from Kansas. The site of the landfill is still pending.

In addition to adopting policy, the delegates elected leaders to serve their organization.

Beggs rancher Steve Kouplen was unopposed in winning his fourth two-year term as president of the state’s largest farm organization.

Beaver County farmer-rancher Ervin Mitchell was elected to his second three-year term as district one state director with farmerrancher Bob Drake of Davis also winning a second term as district four director.

Roland Pederson, who farms and ranches near Burlington in Alfalfa County, was seated as district seven state director succeeding Scott Dvorak of Perry, who served nine years on the board and was prohibited by term limit restrictions from serving again.

County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee members selected three new representatives for the state Women’s Committee.

Beaver’s Billie Mayo was elected to a threeyear term as district one member, succeeding Nancy Bennett. Bennett, who also hails from Beaver, was prohibited by term restrictions from serving again.

The general sessions at the 64th annual OFB convention attracted a high-powered lineup of speakers. U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas and Kansas State University’s Barry Flinchbaugh shared the podium for discussion of the farm bill. U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe was the convention’s kickoff speaker. Travis Jett of Laverne, the newly elected president of the 490,000-member FFA, dropped by to address the organization his family has belonged to for years. Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was the convention’s guest speaker during the final session Nov.14.

U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe

Dale Hall

Travis Jett Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006 • 25

Duncan’s Kitty Beavers won the district four position. She will serve a three-year term as successor to Lawton’s Georgia Doye. Doye also was prohibited by term restrictions from serving again.

Desdive Milacek of Enid was the choice for district seven women. She succeeds Judy Anglin. Anglin, who also hails from Enid, did not seek re-election after serving three years on the Committee.

County YF&R members picked that group’s new state Committee members during district caucuses.

District one members selected Lee and Tracy Vanderwork of Mutual. Brandon and Penny Miller of Lindsay were the choice of district eight delegates. Elected to the at-large post as district nine representatives were Ryan FBW delegates caucusing at the 64th annual convention picked three new state committee members. Desdive Milacek of Garfield County, left, will serve district 7. Billie Mayo of Beaver County, center, will serve in district 1, and Kitty Beavers of Stephens County will service in district 4.

YF&R delegates picked members of the state committee at the 64th annual convention. Pictured, back row from left, are Monte and Danielle Tucker, Paul and Melinda Fruendt, Keith Prater, April and Mike Clark, David Smith and Greg Lucas.

Front row, from left, are Steve and Ashlee Sneary, Lee and Tracy Vanderwork, Penny and Brandon Miller, and Ryan and Monica Wahl.

26 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006

and Monica Wahl of Fairview.

Paul and Melinda Fruendt of Guthrie were chosen as district three members. In district four, delegates picked Keith Prater of Marlow.

District five elected Mike and April Clark of Bokoshe.

Steve and Ashlee Sneary of Alva took the district seven post while Greg and Amy Lucas of Altus won the second at-large position.

Alfalfa County couple named Farm Family of the Year lfalfa County’s Roland and Terry Pederson were named Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year Nov. 13 at the 64th annual state convention in Oklahoma City.

A panel of judges selected the Burlington family from 19 entries in the annual contest, which honors the farm family who best represents farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture.

The Pedersons received use of a new Dodge pickup for a year, an expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Federation meeting in Nashville, Tenn., and other gifts in recognition of their accomplishments.

The couple has two daughters, Kristy Archuleta, 26, and Toni Pederson, 23.

Roland, 55, and Terry, 54, both grew up on farms. He was reared on a small wheat farm and she was reared on a small dairy and wheat farm.

Their first date was at a county fair, where they discussed their love for farming.

“With patience and a few years in education, the opportunity to return to our first love – agriculture – became a reality. Thirty years later we still believe in that statement – ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’ – knowing even more that it means a great deal of hard work,” they said.

He began his own harvest crew in 1972, one year before the two married.

They continued the harvesting business before starting their own farm in 1976 with 300 rented acres of wheat and 100 stockers for the wheat pasture. They phased out their harvesting business in the ’90s to focus on their expanding farming operation.

The Pedersons now have more than 2,000 acres where they raise wheat, grain sorghum, sunflowers, alfalfa, hay, corn and soybeans. They maintain a 100-head cow/calf herd on 400 acres of pasture and run about 500 stockers on wheat pasture each year.

By vertically integrating, the Pedersons have been able to use more of the crops grown to feed the

A

livestock they raise. They said that reducing the number of inputs they must purchase and transport adds to their operation’s bottom line. They also have incorporated Round-Up ready seed in their cropping operations to decrease dependence upon chemicals.

“The ultimate goal” they said, “is to be completely debt free when we retire and bestow our land and love of farming upon our children.”

While the farming operation demands most of their time, both have active roles in community and church activities.

Roland has served many years on the local coop board and a bank board of directors as well as the local electric coop board.

Terry has been active in the FFA Mother’s Club and a 4-H volunteer for many years as well as superintendent of youth programs at the county fair.

Both are heavily involved in their local church. Roland has been an active member for some 45 years, where he has served as an elder, deacon and Sunday school teacher.

Terry has been a member of the church some

30 years, and has served as Sunday school teacher and on the women’s council.

The couple plays an active role in Alfalfa County Farm Bureau. Roland has served on the county board for 20 years and Terry has been on the women’s committee for 13. Roland has been a delegate to state convention several times and was picked as a delegate to the American Farm Bureau convention.

“We have worked well together all our years of marriage,” they said. “We worked in the same building as principal and teacher; we worked side by side during the summers with our harvest crew; and now we continue our partnership on the farm.

“We have a God who watches over us and we thank Him for allowing us to be stewards of His land and blessing us with good health and the opportunity to raise our children on the farm for which we as a family have so vigorously labored.”

Roland and Terry Pederson of Alfalfa County along their daughters, Kristy Archuleta, right, and Toni, left, were named the 2005’s Farm Family of the Year Nov.13 in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau honored the Burlington family during its annual convention. The Pedersons received use of a new Dodge pickup for one year along with other prizes after a panel of judges selected them from 19 farm family finalists in the statewide competition.

Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006 • 27

Inhofe, Nelson honored with Distinguished Service Awards klahoma Farm Bureau honored two leaders during its 64th annual meeting in Oklahoma City with Distinguished Service Awards.

The pair of awards is designed to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and to Oklahoma Farm Bureau, according to Matt Wilson, executive director.

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe and Garfield County’s Nellie Fern Nelson were honored in ceremonies before the convention body.

Sen. Inhofe was presented with the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Agriculture Award Nov. 12 while Mrs. Nelson received the Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau Award Nov. 13.

The 71-year-old senator from Tulsa has served agriculture for 20 years, taking a leadership role in matters involving trade, shipping, commodity promotion, environmental quality, endangered species and regulatory reform.

Oklahoma’s senior senator has an excellent congressional voting record on Farm Bureau priority issues, and has been a stalwart supporter for production agriculture since winning election to the U.S. Senate in 1994.

His efforts to base regulatory and environmental laws regarding agriculture on sound science are widely known. He was instrumental in delaying EPA rules on air quality for fine particulate matter until appropriate data was gathered. He also led the charge against ratification of the Kyoto Protocol Treaty, which called for the U.S. to mandate greenhouse gas reduction while giving developing nations a free pass on reductions.

Inhofe’s efforts to work with regulatory agencies in his capacity as chairman of the Environmental and Public Works Committee has been fruitful for production agriculture and Oklahoma. He has held a hard line with the EPA to ensure the agency acts according to congressional intent, and was instrumental in pressuring EPA to interpret CAFO regulations correctly.

The senator was instrumental in influencing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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28 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006

to accommodate larger barges on the McClellanKerr Arkansas River Navigation System with dredging rather than taking additional prime farmland into the system.

Inhofe exerted influence to support landowners in their efforts to preserve wildlife and endangered species. He passed a senate bill providing funding for conservation habitat improvement projects on private land through voluntary agreements.

The senator and his staff provided invaluable assistance to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation in its efforts on the Arkansas River Shiner critical habitat issue.

The second Distinguished Service recipient has played an integral part in Oklahoma Farm Bureau and its history. In 1944, Mrs. Nelson was an original member of the group of women who met at the Huckins Hotel in Oklahoma City and made the decision to form an OFB Women’s Committee.

She was appointed to represent Oklahoma at the Rural Youth Committee Meetings in San Francisco. As a result of her trip to that American Farm Bureau meeting, she helped convince Oklahoma’s fledging Farm Bureau to organize a Junior Farm Bureau – now called YF&R. Serving two years as reporter for Junior Farm Bureau, Mrs. Nelson wrote numerous articles for two of the state’s largest newspapers and was heard frequently on radio stations. Her diligence on the state level was recognized nationally, earning her a spot on the AFBF National Committee – a legacy she passed to her son, making the mother-son

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe accepts Farm Bureau’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from OFB President Steve Kouplen, right.

Enid’s Nellie Fern Nelson accepts the Distinguished Service to Farm Bureau Award from OFB President Steve Kouplen.

combo the first parent-child linage to serve on the national committee.

Mrs. Nelson served 15 years as chairman of her county Women’s Committee, won the district seven spot on the state FBW Committee and reigned 14 years as the state Women’s Committee chairman.

Her involvement encompasses more than gender or age-based committees, however. She served on the state Resolutions Committee, the OFB Task Force in 1988 and 1989, and represented Oklahoma as a voting delegate to the AFBF Convention four times.

Mrs. Nelson, who lives in Enid, is a real life Farm Bureau pioneer and remains active today.

Matt and Kellie Muller win Achievement Award ackson County’s Matt and Kellie Muller were named Oklahoma Farm Bureau YF&R Achievement Award winner Nov. 13 at the 64th annual convention in Oklahoma City.

The YF&R Achievement Award honors the state’s top young farmer or farm family for their achievements in the farming business and their leadership in the agricultural community. A panel of judges selected the Altus couple for the award.

They received an expense-paid trip to the 2006 American Farm Bureau convention in Nashville, Tenn., to represent Oklahoma in the national contest where they will compete for Dodge pickups and Arctic Cat fourwheelers. As the Oklahoma winner, the Mullers received a year’s use of a Dodge pickup and the use of a Kubota tractor along with other prizes.

Matt, 34, and Kellie, 30, have four children, Taylor, Levi, Luke and Lincoln. The family enjoys farming and by its own admission, still does “a lot of it the old fashioned way.”

They own, rent and manage some 1,988 acres. The major crops produced are cotton, wheat, grain sorghum and peanuts. Matt also does some custom cotton harvesting for neighbors, and they have a small alfalfa and Bermuda hay operation, which sells directly to horsemen.

While they are young farmers, Matt has about 25 years experience under his belt. When he was just five, his father cosigned a note to allow him to purchase 10 bottle calves. He had good success, and used that money to buy a small herd of registered sheep, which served as the springboard for his expanding operation through his 4-H and FFA years. He rented his first piece of farmland at the age of 14.

“How can I go from a few sheep and 18 acres in 1985 to over 1,900

J

acres today? I have been blessed by God first and foremost,” said Matt. “I have a wonderful, hardworking and fiscally responsible wife and partner. We have no outside hobbies and all profits are reinvested back into the operation.”

Matt uses biotechnology cotton for insect and weed control, affording him the option of using minimum and no-till. Modifications to the 1996 Farm Bureau allowed the introduction of peanuts on the farm. He also produces high quality wheat, with most of the crop going to a seed farm in the next county.

The grain sorghum crop is marketed directly to an independent hog producer and birdseed company, which earns the farm a premium over traditional markets.

Risks on the Muller operation are reduced with federal crop insurance, crop revenue coverage and on-line trading.

“The number one evaluation gauge is overall farm profitability as measured by our

tax return. We want to pay taxes every year after implementing the best tax reduction strategies possible.”

While the family has no outside hobbies, Matt and Kellie are heavily involved in church and community activities. Both teach Sunday school classes and hold other leadership roles.

The couple was named 2001 Junior Jaycees State Outstanding Young Farmer Award winner.

Matt serves on the Jackson County Farm Bureau board while Kellie serves on the county women’s committee. They are vice chairmen of the county YF&R, and served as state YF&R chairmen in 2003-2004.

Matt and Kellie Muller and their four children were honored Nov.13 as the YF&R Achievement Award winner. The Jackson County family was awarded the use of a new Dodge pickup by Cameron Colter, John Vance Motors and a representative of Oklahoma Dodge dealers, left, to use for a year as well as the use of a new Kubota tractor for a year. Also pictured is Chad Budy, 2005 YF&R vice chairman, right.

Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006 • 29

Steve Sneary wins Excellence in Agriculture Award oods County’s Steve Sneary was recognized with Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award Nov. 13 at the 64th annual convention in Oklahoma City.

The award recognizes successful young people 35 or younger who are involved in farming but whose primary occupations are not farming or owning an agricultural business. The award is based on their

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Pair earns trip for unique ideas wo unique innovations from Oklahoma Farm Bureau members have been named national winners in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Farmer Idea Exchange Contest.

Robert Barnett of Burlington and Barbara Crain of Helena were Oklahoma winners and will take their novel creations to Nashville, Tenn., to be displayed to the thousands attending the national Farm Bureau convention there in January.

The Farmer Idea Exchange program is geared to surface inventions, equipment modifications, innovative crops, marketing techniques, management systems and farming practices developed by farmers and ranchers.

It is designed to encourage Farm Bureau members to share their innovative ideas and help farmers find ways to cut costs, become more efficient, improve the environment and

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30 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006

involvement in agriculture and participation in Oklahoma Farm Bureau and other community organizations.

Sneary is the farm manager and agriculture instructor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. He is the fourth generation producer on his family’s farm, but his livelihood comes from teaching at the university level.

He and his wife, Ashlee, have a four-year-

old and an infant. The family resides in Alva.

Sneary, 29, has been involved in agriculture since being a youngster and has pursed his love of agriculture through education. He recently received his masters of education in agri-business, which has allowed him the opportunity to educate both his students and the community about future possibilities of agriculture.

“I feel that strong family, education,

improve their net income.

Barnett’s entry, “Scrape up Savings,” is an invention he developed for use on his farming operation. He designed economical scrapers to replace the scrapers on his John Deere double-disc drill.

“My cost is half of the original scrapers, and my scrapers will not wear out because of their simple design. These scrapers are designed to save the American farmer money,” he said.

His scrapers initially save $6 each for every disc set on a drill. Depending upon spacing, the savings will be $336 based on an average of 56 scrapers.

Crain’s entry, “From Milk to Yogurt Cheese,” is a product developed to market more product from the family dairy.

Robert Barnett of Burlington poses by his “Scrape up Savings” display in the OFB trade show. His product innovation earned him a trip to the AFBF convention in Nashville as one of only 15 winners in the Farmer Idea Exchange Contest.

Barbara Crain of Helena poses by her “From Milk to Yogurt Cheese” display in the OFB trade show. Her product earned her a trip to the AFBF convention in Nashville as one of only 15 winners in the Farmer Idea Exchange Contest.

Left: Steve and Ashlee Sneary of Alva pose with the fourwheeler, presented by Farm Credit, to them as the Excellence in Agriculture Award winner. Dodge also presented a $500 cash award to the Excellence in Agriculture Award winner.

Right: Cyndi Mackey, 2005 YF&R Chairman, presents the Discussion Meet champion plaque to David Smith of Lindsay, right. Cameron Colter, representing John Vance Motors, left, was on hand to present the keys to a new Dodge pickup that Smith received to use for a year.

church and community values are the backbone of agriculture and I love having the opportunity to bring those values to a wide range of people through education and community and agriculture events.”

He serves on his county Farm Bureau board of directors as well as the county YF&R Committee. He also is coach, manager or sponsor for university organizations like the show team, Aggie Club, Interscholastic FFA and North Central Accreditation. Sneary assists FFA and 4-H members on the county and district levels and has helped bring agriculture to city children with petting zoos.

He said he believes his position with the university offers him a variety of opportunities to impact agriculture.

Sneary teaches collegians agricultural science and helps them become more agribusiness oriented to make them more suited for today’s fast-paced global industry.

He has provided his students with agricultural opportunities entering the work force through a work-study program. All students in the program have gone on to be involved in agriculture.

Sneary has brought agriculture to the community through expositions and seminars to educate the public about different agricultural opportunities.

“I keep in close contact with our legislators about farm issues that could benefit U.S. producers through Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers program.”

As the Oklahoma award winner, Sneary will represent the Sooner State in the American Farm Bureau finals at the national convention in January 2006. In addition to the trip the Nashville, Tenn., national convention, he was awarded a four-wheeler ATV courtesy of Farm Credit and a $500 cash award from Dodge.

“I hope to positively impact agriculture by training tomorrow’s leaders and agriculturalists educationally to better prepare them for an ever-changing agriculture and world atmosphere.”

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Above: Creek County Farm Bureau’s Gayle Hodson was named Secretary of the Year Nov.13 during the OFB annual convention. The award honors county office secretaries for their contributions to the overall success of their county Farm Bureau. Hodson was the north central district representative.

The other district representatives included Tulsa County’s Missy Fuller for the northeast; Garfield County’s Jennifer Johns for the northwest; Greer County’s Ro-Zanna Schuster for the southwest; Stephens County’s Sue Woodell for the south central; and LeFlore County’s Arlene LeMaster for the southeast.

Right: Five county office secretaries were honored for their long and distinguished careers during the 64th annual convention. Members of this veteran group put in more than a century and one-half of service combined at their county offices. Pictured, from left, are Kay County’s Naomi Humble, Osage County’s Louise Clark, Pittsburg County’s Loretta Tripp, Pushmataha County’s Judy Hensley and Stephens County’s Sue Woodell. Each received a plaque and commemorative wristwatch.

32 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006

Opposite above: Alfalfa County Farm Bureau put its string of John I.Taylor award wins at an unprecedented seven consecutive years at the 64th annual OFB convention. County President Ryan Pjesky, right, accepted the trophy recognizing the state’s top county Farm Bureau from OFB President Steve Kouplen.

Opposite below: Payne County Farm Bureau President

Richard Pratz, right, accepts the Lewis H. Munn Award from OFB President Steve Kouplen during the 64th annual convention.The award, named from the organization’s second president, was presented to the country that excelled in the program area of service to members during 2005.

Below: The Grand Ole Pry’s John Conlee wowed those

attending OFB’s banquet Nov.12 with his classics like “Rose Colored Glasses” and “Back Side of Thirty.”

Logan County’s Bill and Ruth Kinney were among the hundreds of members who enjoyed ice cream at the Nov.14 fundraiser for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation.The ice cream social raised nearly $700 for the Foundation.

Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006 • 33

Clockwise from left: UNITY, a gospel quartet from Duncan, performed up-tempo songs of praise during the Nov.13 vespers and memorial service.

The OSU Concert Chorale, directed by Dr. Dirk Garner, performed during the vespers and memorial service Nov.13.

OFB rewarded the group with a $5,000 donation. Members of the chorale pay their own expenses when engagements take them on the road.

Dr. Lori Salierno inspired those attending the Nov.13 vespers and memorial service with her uplifting message.

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34 • Oklahoma Country • Winter 2006