The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation recently donated $5,000 to the Coloradans for Animal Care campaign against Colorado Initiative 16, a citizen-led proposal that would have far-reaching implications for livestock producers across the country. Headed for the state’s ballot in November 2022, the measure would outlaw proven animal care practices including spaying and neutering, artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis, ban the slaughter of animals who have lived less than 25% of their estimated lifespan, and open the door to animal cruelty prosecution for common activities including rodeos, livestock shows and trail rides. “Colorado Initiative 16 isn’t just concerning for our […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members shared their concerns on agriculture and rural issues with Congressman Kevin Hern during an online meeting held Friday, June 11. From hauling hay to owning McDonald’s franchises and from swine farmer to aerospace engineer, Rep. Hern has vast experiences and uses those to represent Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, encompassing the Tulsa metropolitan area. Taxes Adding taxation to farmers and ranchers is always concerning, especially with the proposed repeal of stepped-up basis and increases in the capital gains and income tax rates, which could threaten the livelihoods and long-term economic sustainability of Oklahoma family farms and ranches. […]

Over the past several months, Oklahoma Farm Bureau has heard concern from members facing new challenges obtaining an agricultural sales tax exemption permit- a crucial business tool exempting nearly all inputs used in production agriculture from sales tax. OKFB, along with a broad coalition of statewide agriculture groups, worked to pass legislation this year to provide additional options to prove eligibility for the permit. The newly passed Senate Bill 422 will go into effect July 1, 2021, and allows Oklahoma producers to provide a document from one of four categories as proof of eligibility for the exemption. OKFB members attempting […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members are encouraged to attend one of the organization’s 11 August Area Meetings held across the state beginning August 9. Signifying the beginning of the organization’s grassroots policy development process, the meetings provide members a chance to discuss the top agriculture and rural issues on the horizon as they prepare to draft OKFB policy for the next year. In addition to enhancing OKFB’s policy priorities, members will have a chance to learn about the work the organization continues to do for and on behalf of farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahomans across the state. Below find the date […]

Coming on the heels of a long and difficult year, the first session of the 58th Oklahoma Legislature brought with it many challenges as Oklahoma Farm Bureau worked to advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahomans at the state Capitol in the face of limitations from the lingering pandemic. Despite some obstacles, OKFB accomplished a number of wins for Farm Bureau members as it took the organization’s policy priorities to 23rd and Lincoln. Agricultural Sales Tax Exemption In the early months of 2021, OKFB heard from numerous members who experienced difficulties in obtaining or renewing a state agricultural sales tax […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau encourages its members to attend congressional redistricting town hall meetings to represent the voices and perspectives of rural Oklahoma. Five in-person town halls will be hosted in each congressional district, along with two virtual town halls. The meetings provide Oklahomans an opportunity to offer input as House and Senate redistricting committees prepare to draw new congressional district lines. “Just as we did with legislative redistricting, the legislature is committed to an open and transparent process for congressional redistricting,” Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, chair of the Oklahoma Senate Select Committee on Redistricting, said. “We encourage those interested in […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau discussed the top provisions in the state budget for agriculture and rural Oklahoma with the House Appropriations and Budget Committee Vice Chair Kyle Hilbert during a recent Lincoln to Local episode. After announcing its more than $8 billion budget agreement on May 13, state legislators this week sent the four dozen budget bills to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk for approval. The budget includes several benefits for agriculture and rural Oklahoma including dollars for broadband expansion, meat inspectors, Oklahoma State University Extension, county roads and bridges and more. $42 million for broadband expansion Signaling a commitment to bringing […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau has joined four fellow Oklahoma agriculture groups to form a task force to develop solutions to the issues facing farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses from the exponential growth of the medical marijuana industry across Oklahoma. The Medical Marijuana Impacts on Oklahoma Production Agriculture Task Force – comprised of American Farmers & Ranchers, Oklahoma Agribusiness Retailers Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Oklahoma Agricultural Cooperative Council and Oklahoma Farm Bureau – was created to focus on crafting state and federal solutions to the increasing impacts of medical marijuana on production agriculture across Oklahoma. “Many of our farm and ranch members have […]