Fifty-seven Oklahoma youth recently competed for $8,200 in savings bonds and scholarships during the 16th Annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech Contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The contest was held March 14 at the OSU-OKC campus in Oklahoma City. The YF&R Speech Contest was broken up into three age divisions: Junior, nine-12 years old; Intermediate, 13-15 years old; and Senior, 16-18 years old. The Junior Division presented speeches on the topic, “I Believe in Oklahoma Ag.” The Intermediate and Senior divisions gave speeches in three division categories, including Agricultural Production, Agriculture Policy and Environment & Natural Resources. Speeches […]

The trespassing laws in Oklahoma are about to get tougher, and that’s a good thing according the state’s largest farm organization. HB 1249 would remove the exemption under current trespass law that allows owners to retrieve animals by entering someone’s property without permission. HB 1249, authored by Rep. Wade Rousselot, passed the House March 3 with an overwhelming 80 to 11 vote. “This legislation will strengthen our no trespassing laws,” said Mike Spradling, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president. “Protecting private property rights, including strong no trespassing laws, have long been a priority of Farm Bureau members.” The bill will remedy an […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau Safety Services has added a new video to their defensive driving program describing the dangers of sending text messages while driving. The video tells the story of Dallas Hutchinson, who was killed in an automobile collision on July 18, 2010, while texting and driving. Cheryl Nichols, Hutchinson’s mother, is featured in the video as she details the collision that took her son’s life. “Dallas was 23 years old,” Nichols said of her son. “He didn’t like cell phones at first, but once he learned how to text – it was like an addiction.” OFB Safety Services shares […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau, in cooperation with WW Livestock Systems in Thomas, is sponsoring a private treaty cattle sale April 7-9 in the Carriage Hall building at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. The sale will run concurrently with the Southern Plains Farm Show. “This sale puts buyers and sellers together in a unique setting,” said Thad Doye, OFB vice president of Field Services. “We are excited to offer this sale as another member service for Farm Bureau members.” The sale is open to all breeds. There is a $50 per head charge for heifers and $100 per head charge for bulls. A […]

Concern about the cost of a healthy diet being out of reach remains on the minds of many Americans, including Oklahoma farmers and ranchers, as the nation continues to work through serious economic woes. However, according to an Agriculture Department study, the cost of eating healthy hasn’t changed as much as some less-healthy alternatives. Farm Bureau’s Food Check-Out Week, Feb. 20-26, focuses on helping Americans learn how to stretch their grocery dollars with healthy, nutritious food. Farmers and ranchers are committed to producing safe, healthy and abundant food. And they share a common concern with consumers when it comes to […]

Three legislators received Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Meritorious Service award Feb. 21 during the farm organization’s annual leadership conference in Oklahoma City. The Meritorious Service award is presented to legislators who have a strong voting record for Farm Bureau issues and show support for rural and agricultural issues. The awards are based on a county Farm Bureau’s nomination and evaluation of the lawmaker’s adherence to the values and issues important to rural Oklahoma. Receiving the award were Representatives Leslie Osborn, Tuttle, and Steve Kouplen, Beggs, and Senator Brian Crain, Tulsa. Rep. Osborn was instrumental in helping Farm Bureau and other rural […]

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has proclaimed the week of Feb. 20 “Farm Bureau Week” in Oklahoma. The week is part of a statewide observance during which county Farm Bureaus will make a concerted effort to enroll members, introduce the community to Farm Bureau volunteer leaders and explain the organization’s goals and objectives. “This is a special time to acknowledge Farm Bureau members and the work they do yeararound in the communities across this great state,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. “It is significant the governor recognizes Farm Bureau and agriculture’s importance to Oklahoma.” When making the proclamation, Fallin cited Farm […]

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin will address agriculture leaders attending Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s annual leadership conference Feb. 21-22 at the Marriott Hotel on Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City. Governor Fallin is scheduled as the keynote speaker for the Monday evening session of the leadership conference. “We are excited to have Governor Fallin talk to our leaders concerning her legislative initiatives this year,” said Mike Spradling, OFB president. The conference will kick off with greetings from Spradling, followed by a presentation from Steven Rhines, general counsel for the Nobel Foundation. The afternoon session will also include OFB’s Public Policy staff explaining Farm […]

The winter edition of Oklahoma Country magazine features the T.J. and Diane Beach family, Altus, on the cover. Oklahoma Country is published quarterly for Oklahoma Farm Bureau members. The Beaches were chosen last fall by the state’s largest farm organization to receive the Farm Family of the Year Award. “I am blessed with a wonderful family to start with,” T.J. said. “I just feel like it’s the best life you can live, living on the farm. It’s a privilege being involved in agriculture, and a privilege to live in Oklahoma.” As OFB’s top award winners, the Beaches received the use […]

Voting delegates at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation convention, Jan. 11, voiced strong support for continuing the concepts of the current farm program, including direct payments and crop insurance. Heading into the convention, there was speculation farmers would be split on the direction of the next farm bill concerning continuation of direct payments versus expanding revenue crop insurance programs. “We were very pleased the delegates agreed with our desire to continue direct farm program payments in the next farm bill,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “The current farm bill has successfully provided a good safety net for our producers […]