House Joint Resolution 1012, better known as the Right to Farm amendment, passed the Oklahoma Senate yesterday with overwhelming support, on a vote of 39-6. Rural House Democrats said Wednesday they are grateful to see the legislation pass the Senate by an overwhelming margin. Those Democrats have always stood for rural Oklahoma and against outside interests telling farmers and ranchers how to run their operations. Operations that not only provide food and fiber for Americans but for the world. Operations that are the envy of people across the globe. The Right to Farm amendment passed the House earlier this month, […]

Today the Oklahoma Senate overwhelmingly passed HJR 1012, the Right to Farm Resolution, by a vote of 39 to 6. OKFB President Tom Buchanan issued the following statement: “We thank the Oklahoma senate for passing the Right to Farm resolution today. This gives more protection to Oklahoma agriculture so we can continue to be a major contributor to the Oklahoma economy. “We are very proud of State Sen. Jason Smalley for his leadership on this resolution.  Sen. Smalley, along with State Rep. Scott Biggs, has been successful in shepherding this legislation through the legislative process. “We’re excited about the results, […]

Below is an editorial Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanan wrote for The Daily Oklahoman as part of a point-counterpoint article on the Right to Farm resolution currently passing through the Oklahoma legislature. We have included Buchanan’s text below. You can also view the editorial on the NewsOK webpage. Oklahoma is a rural, agricultural state with a multibillion-dollar agriculture industry. It would seem logical for agriculture producers to have the right to produce food and fiber using the latest, research-proven techniques. That’s why Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm group, supports House Joint Resolution 1012, co-authored by state Rep. […]

By Tom Buchanan, Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Oklahoma is a rural, agricultural state with a multi-billion dollar agriculture industry. It would seem logical for agricultural producers to have the right to produce food and fiber using the latest research-proven techniques. That is why Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm group, supports HJR 1012, co-authored by State Rep. Scott Biggs and State Sen. Jason Smalley. The resolution, which has already passed in the Oklahoma House, would place on the 2016 general election ballot a proposal to amend the Oklahoma Constitution guaranteeing the right to engage in certain farming and ranching […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau submitted comments to the National Park Service regarding the Chisholm and Great Western National Historic Trails Feasibility Study and Draft Environmental Assessment. OKFB is concerned with the planning and implementation of the proposed national historic trail and the potential impacts for landowners and agriculture as well as the overall potential cost. We have included below Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s comments on the draft, which outline in detail OKFB’s grassroots-developed policy, our concerns with the feasibility study and the overall proposal. We have also made available a PDF of these comments in their original format. March 13, 2015 Ms. […]

During a March 17 hearing by the U.S. Senate subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife, HSUS President Wayne Pacelle credited Farm Bureau for pressuring his organization to divulge the fact only about 6 percent of the more than $1.7 million raised in past several years actually went to animal shelters.  Pacelle was reacting to questions from Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), a member of the subcommittee and chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee.   Sen. Inhofe asked Pacelle to respond to Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s request for fund raising details in Oklahoma.   Below are the YouTube clips […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau thanks the Oklahoma House of Representatives for passing HJR 1012 Tuesday, which would give Oklahoma voters the opportunity to constitutionally protect farming and ranching in the state of Oklahoma. “Agriculture is of vital importance to our state and our nation, not just as a major economic driver, but also as a matter of national security,” said John Collison, OKFB’s vice president of public policy and communications. “We thank the house for taking the first step in passing this joint resolution, which would ultimately allow Oklahomans to ensure a future for an industry that is vital to our […]

Since it snowed or rained across most of Oklahoma last week, I will give you all a break from talking about water for just a bit. However, this is not to say in any way shape or form that the recent rain and snow has anything to do with fixing our long-term solution to drought in Oklahoma.  This week I want to discuss an issue at the Capitol with you that many of you are intimately familiar with. This problem comes in many different shapes, sizes and colors. It has been moving in from Texas at an alarming rate and […]

Why is Oklahoma House Bill 1104 important to Oklahoma agriculture? Rep. Scott Biggs visited with us recently about the reasons why wild hogs need to be eradicated in our state. Below, we have included Rep. Biggs’ comments as six reasons why the “the pig bill” is good for agriculture.