Bray Haven and Zac Swartz recently have joined the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Public Policy Division as associate directors of public policy. The two will help advocate for Farm Bureau policy at the state Capitol. “Bray and Zac certainly will be an asset to Farm Bureau members across the state as they help serve as the voice for agriculture and rural Oklahoma,” said Rodd Moesel, OKFB president. “We’re excited to see all that the Public Policy team will accomplish this year for our members.” Haven is a longtime Farm Bureau member who grew up in Cheyenne, Oklahoma. He earned a bachelor’s […]

The following statement is in response to the results of the state beef checkoff referendum, which failed with 2,506 votes opposed and 1,998 votes in favor. The proposal would have created an additional $1-per-head assessment to promote the Oklahoma beef industry. “Though Oklahoma Farm Bureau is deeply disappointed in the results of the state beef checkoff referendum, an initiative supported by our memeber’s grassroots policy, we continue to have faith in Oklahoma beef producers who produce high-quality and affordable food for our state, our nation and our world.  “Farmers and ranchers have worked the land and cared for animals since […]

Pat Long, a farmer and Texas County Farm Bureau member, was honored with a 2017 Water for 2060 Excellence Award for crop irrigation and agriculture by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Nov. 1 during the Governor’s Water Conference in Norman, Oklahoma.  Long was recognized for his work to conserve water in the Oklahoma Panhandle using innovative center pivot technology, drought-resistant genetically modified crops and no-till production methods. “It’s important that people across the state understand the lengths Panhandle producers are going to in order to preserve a valuable natural resource,” Long said.  The Long family has farmed since the 1990s, […]

The following statement is from a coalition of Oklahoma agriculture organizations who support the Oklahoma Beef Checkoff including Oklahoma Farm Bureau, American Farmers & Ranchers, Oklahoma Limousine Breeders Association, Oklahoma Maine Anjou Association, Oklahoma Charolais Association and Oklahoma Simmental Cattle Association. “The Oklahoma agriculture community is confident in the process used by cattle producers and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture in preparation for the upcoming referendum. We stand against an effort led by radical activist organizations and their anti-agriculture agenda.” For more information, visit the Oklahoma Beef Checkoff website.

On behalf of thousands of farmers and ranchers across the state, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan defended private property rights at an Oklahoma House of Representatives interim study on Oct. 10. Hosted by the House Transportation Committee, the study examined the impact of “tall structures” within military training airspace throughout Oklahoma. Some argue building obstructions, including wind turbines or communications towers, could interfere with the U.S. Air Force’s ability to conduct operations and negatively affect Oklahoma’s military bases. Legislation was introduced during the 2017 regular session to regulate the land, along with so-called obstructions to air navigation, within the […]