As February draws near, so does another Oklahoma legislative session, and Oklahoma Farm Bureau members have been hard at work setting policy for 2025.
Each year, before the halls of the state Capitol fill with lawmakers and fellow Oklahomans, Farm Bureau members set the organization’s legislative priorities, which are designed to guide the work of OKFB members and staff during legislative session.
These priority issues focus on several ares in 2025, including the protection of private property rights, water policy, production agriculture, education and extension.
Private property rights
Farm Bureau members have long been adamant supporters of the protection of private property rights. Farmers and ranchers know best when it comes to caring for their land, and private property rights are crucial to ensuring a safe, affordable and abundant food supply for years to come.
Water policy
Farmers and ranchers are the largest users of water in the state, and they strive to responsibly steward the precious natural resource. Water policy has been a hot-button topic at the state Capitol in recent years, with many stakeholders involved from a wide scope of backgrounds and advantage points.
Farm Bureau members support the Oklahoma Water Resources Board commissioning a study to provide options for managing Oklahoma’s groundwater as stakeholders continue to meet and strive to reach a responsible management solution for all Oklahomans.
Production agriculture
Production agriculture has been the focus of many pieces of proposed legislation both in and outside of Oklahoma in recent years. OKFB supports the protection of animal and production agriculture in Oklahoma to ensure fellow Oklahomans and Americans have steady access to the food, fuel and fiber needed to thrive.
Education and extension
OKFB strongly believes in the power of education, and Farm Bureau members are making it a priority to support the development of educational tools for private property rights and crop insurance in 2025.
Oklahoma State University extension services have been an important education and outreach source for farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma since the university’s inception in 1890. OKFB members feel strongly in supporting legislation that ensures adequate funding for county extension services, OSU’s wheat research program and the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.
OKFB’s priority issues stem from member-crafted policy resolutions and are voted on and approved by the OKFB board of directors each year. To stay informed on Farm Bureau’s work at the state Capitol in 2025, be sure to follow OKFB on Facebook, Instagram and X (@okfarmbureau) and keep an eye out for regular legislative updates during session on the OKFB website.
