Three candidates with Oklahoma Farm Bureau ties were elected Tuesday to serve in the Oklahoma State Senate. Roland Pederson, longtime OKFB member and former state board member, Lonnie Paxton, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company agent, and Chris Kidd, OKFB vice president of membership and organization, each overwhelmingly won their respective races. “As Oklahomans become further removed from the farm, we must have elected leaders who value our farmers and ranchers,” said Monica Wilke, OKFB executive director. “We are proud of Roland, Chris and Lonnie, and know they will fight for agriculture at the state Capitol.” Burlington native Roland Pederson […]

Nov. 4, 2016 – The OKAgFund today announced its decision to revoke support of Brian Renegar, candidate for House District 17, following his opposition to State Question 777, Oklahoma’s Right to Farm. “In 2015, Renegar voted for HJR 1012 to place State Question 777, Oklahoma’s Right to Farm, on Tuesday’s ballot. However, just days before Oklahomans head to the polls, Renegar now opposes the Right to Farm measure.  “This is a perfect example of the necessity for SQ 777. Legislators are being misguided by unscrupulous activists who oppose livestock and crop production practices, and have turned their back on family farmers […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee met Oct. 18-19 in Oklahoma City to review, condense and organize resolutions for its 2017 policy book. The meeting served as one of the final steps in the organization’s grassroots policy development process. The 36-member resolutions committee, made up of OKFB farm and ranch members from across the state, reviewed resolutions submitted by all 77 county Farm Bureaus. “The policy development process is a cornerstone in our grassroots organization,” OKFB President Tom Buchanan said. “Our farm and ranch members set the policies that guide our organization, and many times lead to action at […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau helped educate voters in Norman about State Question 777, the Right to Farm amendment, at the organization’s “Get on Tap with 777” event Sept. 22 at McNellie’s Abner Ale House in Norman. If approved by Oklahoma voters on Nov. 8, SQ 777 will give Oklahoma farmers and ranchers constitutional protection. Event attendees learned how the measure will protect not only farmers and ranchers, but also consumers. “The Right to Farm amendment gives Oklahoma farmers and ranchers the ability to continue producing the world’s safest and most affordable food supply,” said Mark Yates, OKFB public policy field representative. […]

Sept. 20, 2016 – Groups in opposition to State Question 777 used comments by Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan out of context in order to misguide Oklahoma voters. Buchanan issued the following statement in response.  “The Right to Farm amendment is critical to the future of agriculture in our great state of Oklahoma. Right to Farm protects both agriculture and the people of Oklahoma into the future. Unfortunately, special interest groups and critics of Right to Farm are using misinformation and false claims, including twisting my words, in another attempt to mislead voters. “State Question 777 not only protects […]

The U.S. Senate today passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which gives support to ports and inland waterways, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, drought technologies and more. The legislation also includes a provision that approves the Oklahoma water rights agreement between the state of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City and the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations.  “As farmers and ranchers, we know water is vital in maintaining a successful agricultural industry and a prosperous economy. Oklahoma Farm Bureau is committed to developing our state’s water to the benefit of all Oklahomans. We support the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 because it […]

Three candidates with Oklahoma Farm Bureau ties won their respective primary runoff election on Aug. 23. Roland Pederson, longtime OKFB member and former state board member, Lonnie Paxton, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company agent, and Chris Kidd, OKFB vice president of membership and organization, will each progress to the general election in November. “Electing state leaders who understand and support farmers and ranchers is a priority for Oklahoma Farm Bureau,” said Monica Wilke, OKFB executive director. “We know Roland, Chris and Lonnie will represent not only their districts, but also Oklahoma agriculture.” Burlington native Roland Pederson was chosen as the […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan issued the following statement in response to the agreement reached by the state of Oklahoma and the tribes over water rights in Oklahoma. “As evidenced by this major water rights agreement, strong partnerships are critical to ensuring the agriculture industry can continue to be a substantial and productive part of the Oklahoma economy in the decades ahead. “Water is our state’s most important commodity and the lifeblood of Oklahoma agriculture. Oklahoma Farm Bureau recognizes and respects the need to responsibly manage this natural resource in the best interest of our state. As an organization, […]

The U.S. House today gave final approval to S. 764, which creates a national standard for disclosure of genetically modified food ingredients. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan issued the following statement in response.  “For decades, genetically modified crops have helped farmers produce an abundance of high-quality and affordable food, while also decreasing agriculture’s impact on the environment. A consistent national labeling standard not only allows farmers to continue embracing GMO technology but also gives consumers access to information about their food. “Although Oklahoma Farm Bureau policy does not support a mandatory label, individual state labeling laws would only confuse […]