A resolution calling for a federal farm program that provides a strong safety net for farm income using a combination of crop insurance and a revenue assurance program topped the list of policies passed by voting delegates at the 70th annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Convention, Nov. 11-13, Oklahoma City.
“We want to protect our producers’ ability to grow food and fiber for this country,” said OFB President Mike Spradling. “We believe crop insurance should be a top priority and is a key to Oklahoma agriculture’s success.”
There is concern direct payments may be eliminated since federal administration is considering reducing the agriculture department’s budget.
The proposed resolution says OFB supports keeping direct and counter-cyclical payments to farmers, but if they are going to be reduced more than 33 percent, the remaining funds should be shifted to a revenue assurance program.
“We need to keep a strong, affordable crop insurance program and realize at the same time direct payments provide income stability,” said Scott Neufeld, chairman of OFB’s Farm Bill Committee.
Delegates also passed a resolution opposing the use of conjunctive use management anywhere in Oklahoma.
“We do not want to link ground water and surface water rights together,” Spradling said.
In other delegate action, Spradling was re-elected to serve his third, two-year term as Oklahoma Farm Bureau president.
New district directors elected to serve include Beaver county farmer and rancher Alan Jett to represent District 1 and Cotton County’s Jimmy Wayne Kinder to represent OFB’s District 4. Also, Roland Pederson was re-elected to serve another three-year term for District 7.
OFB’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee also elected new chairman. Delegates selected Brent and Amie Straub of Kiowa County to lead the group in 2012.
Top award winners announced during the OFB convention were Scott and Brenda Neufeld, Major County – Farm Family of the Year, Zac and Amy Harris, Kiowa County, – YF&R Achievement Award, Will Cubbage, Osage County – YF&R Excellence in Agriculture Award, Christy Smith, Pontotoc County – YF&R Lifetime Legacy Award, and Chelsea Clifton, Kingfisher County – YF&R Discussion Meet.
Ralph Kelly of Stigler was honored with the Distinguished Service to OFB Award and Comanche County received the John I. Taylor Award.
