Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan released the following statement following Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s appointment as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Oklahoma Farm Bureau congratulates Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt on being named administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Donald Trump administration. “Pruitt’s selection as EPA administrator is a win for farmers and ranchers across the country. As Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt has been a staunch advocate of agriculture and Oklahoma Farm Bureau. He continuously has defended farmers and ranchers against the EPA and has led the charge in suing the agency over […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau is excited to welcome the inaugural members of its OKFB Caucus. Comprised of Farm Bureau-members in the state legislature, the OKFB Caucus is a non-partisan group created to foster fellowship and discussion of agricultural and rural policy issues.  “As Oklahoma continually becomes more urban and less rural, it’s important for those who value agriculture and the rural way of life to join forces,” said Tom Buchanan, OKFB president. “This group is designed to ensure farmers and ranchers, and rural Oklahoma, continues to thrive into the future.” The inaugural members are listed below. An asterisk (*) denotes […]

The Oklahoma Farm Bureau delegate body reaffirmed its backing of feral hog eradication during the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 12 in Oklahoma City. Members from all 77 county Farm Bureaus gathered to set policy to direct the organization throughout the coming year. Feral, or wild, hogs are an invasive species found in all 77 counties costing farmers and ranchers millions of dollars in damage to property, equipment and facilities.  “Feral hogs are still an onerous burden for farmers and ranchers across the state,” Buchanan said. “We fought for eradication last year and will continue to do so until the invasive […]

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 […]