Lead by the passage of a strong no trespassing law, the just-completed 2006 Oklahoma legislative session is being labeled by the state’s largest farm organization as a successful session for rural Oklahomans. “It was a great session for rural and agriculture interests, especially private property owners” Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen said. When lawmakers passed HB 2984 it shifted the burden from landowners to trespassers. “This is a big deal because it places the burden of responsibility on the person entering the property,” Lori Peterson, Vice President of OFB Governmental Relations, said. Specifically, the bill, which applies only to […]

Oklahoma’s private property owners won a significant victory May 9 when the state’s highest court ruled against a private company’s attempt to seize private property through eminent domain. The case involved Muskogee County versus Ed and Mary Lowery. The Lowerys own a farm south of Muskogee. The land battle started when Muskogee County commissioners condemned Lowery’s property for use by Energetix, a private electric generation plant. Energetix wanted to build and operate a water pipeline across Lowery’s property connecting the plant to the Arkansas River. A Muskogee County District judge earlier ruled in favor of the county. This ruling was […]

The 2007 farm bill is not “your father’s farm bill.” That’s the message a group of nationally-known speakers will share with Oklahoma farm and ranch leaders during a May 10 forum on the 2007 farm bill. The forum is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel, Northwest Expressway, Oklahoma City. “It is absolutely necessary our producers become involved in the farm bill process,” said Steve Kouplen, Oklahoma Farm Bureau president and Beggs rancher. Kouplen will begin the forum with an overview of Farm Bureau’s policy on farm programs. Current Farm Bureau policy calls for an extension of […]

As we gather to celebrate National Agriculture Week, farmers and ranchers are reassuring consumers they are producing a safe, affordable product without harming the environment. “Our producers are operating under the most strict state laws anywhere in the country,” said Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen. Oklahoma’s laws on handling animal manure require producers to meet higher standards than mandated under federal law. Prompted by the Attorney General’s lawsuit against the poultry industry, which claims all animal waste is “hazardous,” state legislators are working on a measure labeling animal waste as “non-hazardous material.” The AG’s office used its considerable political […]

More than 95 Oklahoma youth recently competed for $9,500 in savings bonds and scholarships during the 11th Annual Young Farmers and Ranchers Speech Contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. The contest was held March 13 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 youth gave speeches in three division categories, including Agricultural Production, Agriculture Policy and Environment & Natural Resources. Junior Division: First, second and third place winners of each category of the Junior Division […]

Agricultural Safety Awareness Week, March 5-11, kicks off the busy spring season in farm country. “This is the time of year we’re moving livestock off wheat pasture, preparing fields for spring planting and getting equipment ready for wheat harvest,” said Oklahoma FarmBureau President Steve Kouplen. “It’s a hectic time on the farm that means long days in the field.” Those long days can lead to fatigue, a leading cause of farm accidents. That’s why Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s Safety Services division is working with the state’s farmers and ranchers to highlight safety awareness. Farm Bureau leaders in Alfalfa County will host […]

WHAT: National Food Check Out Week Celebration WHEN: 11 a.m. ,Friday, Feb. 3, 2006 WHERE: Ronald McDonald House, 61st and Yale, Tulsa, Okla. WHY: The average American consumer, after only about 5 weeks of work, can now afford to buy groceries for the remainder of the year. This highlights food as a great bargain for consumers in this country, spending about 10 percent of their disposable income on food, less than in other nations in the world. The day will begin with a grocery buying spree at 9 a.m. in Reasor’s grocery store, 41st and Yale, Tulsa. Members of the […]

Young farmers and ranchers from across the state will gather in Sayre Jan. 27-29 for the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Winter Conference. OFB’s YF&R Committee welcomes young producers, ages 18 to 35, and their families to participate in a weekend full of informative sessions and tours that will focus on improving their operations. The conference kicks off Friday, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m. when young farmers and ranchers will tour the Cotton Gin in Erick. Following the tour, Beckham County Farm Bureau will sponsor a dinner at the Western Technology Center in Sayre. Francie Tolle, Director […]

Saying it is his constitutional right to protect his land from being taken unjustly, Muskogee County Farm Bureau member Jack Whitten testified Nov. 30 before the Oklahoma State Senate Committee studying how eminent domain is used in Oklahoma. Land owned by Jack and his wife, Doris, is the subject of a case that has made it all the way to the Oklahoma State Supreme Court in a controversy involving condemnation of their land for construction of a private energy company pipeline. The Whittens are receiving legal support from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation. “I would like to see the […]

Electing rural-friendly candidates to public office is the focus of a two-day campaign management seminar Dec. 1-2 at the Best Western Saddleback Inn, Oklahoma City. The seminar is sponsored by Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “It’s important we elect people who understand the unique issues of rural Oklahoma,” said OFB Public Policy Director Lori Peterson. A majority of Oklahoma’s legislators represent at least a portion of rural voters. Out of a total of 149 state lawmakers in the current legislature, 84 are considered “rural.” The campaign seminar will include sessions on candidate evaluation, campaign issues, raising campaign funds, working with the news […]