Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel and Cotton County Farm Bureau member Jimmy Kinder each explained the significance of the U.S. Senate’s recent vote to uphold the Navigable Waters Protection Rule in a recent Gaylord News story. In approving a budget resolution last week, the Senate also voted 51 to 49 in favor of an amendment supporting the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule that redefined the waters of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act. “We think the redefinition that was done under the Trump administration is much clearer and gives a lot more clarity to our farmers and […]

Congressman Frank Lucas shared a national agricultural policy update with Oklahoma Farm Bureau members in a discussion with OKFB President Rodd Moesel during OKFB’s Leadership Week. Lucas offered insight into the top issues on the horizon for farmers and ranchers including the new administration, climate programs, meat processing capacity, farm income and the future of trade. Working with new Secretary of Agriculture With a new administration comes a new leader at the helm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but Agriculture Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack is not a new face to agriculture. The former Iowa governor served as the secretary […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel discussed the impacts of potential changes to Oklahoma’s ad valorem tax structure with Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum during OKFB’s Leadership Week. Though the divisions between urban and rural communities often receive the most attention, the conversation gave Moesel and the mayors an opportunity to highlight the ways both communities rely on one another. Over the past several years, municipalities have pushed the state legislature to levy ad valorem taxes to fund public safety districts for police and fire services. While Farm Bureau members are avid supporters of public […]

As legislators convened at the state Capitol to begin work on more than 3,000 pieces of legislation, Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders and staff hit the ground running on a number of issues of importance to its grassroots farm and ranch members. For several years, Farm Bureau members have been involved in discussions at the state Capitol concerning new ad valorem taxes and the 2021 session will be no different. Only four days into the first week of committee work, a bill advanced that would allow voters within a municipality to vote on a resolution to create a Public Safety Protection […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel discussed the top issues expected to be addressed by the state Legislature this year with Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and Speaker of the House Charles McCall during OKFB’s Leadership Week. Below read Farm Bureau’s five takeaways from the conversation with the state Legislature’s top leaders. 1. Progress on rural broadband expected With an estimated 30% of Oklahomans considered underserved in broadband services, both legislative leaders said they expect to see progress this year on bringing high-speed internet to all Oklahomans. “It’s not something that just happens overnight, but there’s been a lot […]

Because most Farm Bureaus members are busy on their farms and ranches each day, they do not have time to visit with legislators about every agriculture or rural issue the Legislature considers. Members instead rely on Farm Bureau leaders and staff to carry out their message for them. But sometimes, state representatives and senators need to hear directly from farmers and ranchers. Through OKFB’s legislative action alerts, members have the ability to quickly and easily advocate for agriculture and rural Oklahoma right from their farm or ranch. But what should members do when they receive an action alert text message? […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members has announced a new opportunity for members to engage in the legislative process. Every Friday at 12 p.m. starting Feb. 5, members are invited to participate in a legislative update Zoom call with the OKFB public policy team. The member-only call will allow members to learn about the legislative process, ask questions, voice concerns, and offer feedback. For details on how to join the weekly call, please contact your Farm Bureau field representative. Members can find more ways to be involved in and informed about OKFB’s legislative efforts by viewing our 2021 Advocacy Guide at okfarmbureau.org/advocate21.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau has announced the organization’s priority issues for the 2021 state legislative session as set forth by its grassroots farm and ranch members. The top issues for Farm Bureau members across all 77 counties include expanding rural broadband internet access, protecting landowners from property tax increases, safeguarding the state agriculture sales tax exemption, increasing access to quality health care in rural communities, securing improved funding for roads and bridges, and ensuring support for Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. “After a challenging year for Oklahoma agriculture producers, Oklahoma Farm Bureau is eager to bring the voice of our grassroots farm […]

Though the global pandemic may pose some challenges to the way Oklahoma Farm Bureau typically engages with the state legislature, OKFB members still can – and should – play an important part in our work to speak for farmers, ranchers and rural Oklahomans at the state Capitol this year. Though working with state lawmakers this year is likely to look different than normal, members can remain active and involved in the policymaking process by using some of agriculture’s trademark innovation and creativity. Below are four ideas for safely and effectively advocating for agriculture in the upcoming legislative session. 1. Sign […]