Resolutions to study water transportation in Oklahoma, support wind energy and stop federal agency over regulation were among resolutions passed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau state resolutions committee during their two-day meeting Oct. 21-22 in Norman. The proposals will be voted on during the annual OKFB convention Nov. 14-16, Tulsa.
“Water is a critical factor for agriculture and we want to study the most feasible and economic way of moving water and how Oklahomans can benefit the most from such a system,” said Roland Pederson, OKFB vice president and chairman of the resolutions committee.
The committee also voiced support for phasing in ad valorem taxes over a five-year period for wind energy projects.
“The wind energy industry is a growing, thriving industry and we encourage changes in tax laws to support the continued growth,” Pederson said.
Pederson said the committee passed resolutions to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating farm ditches and other waters that are not navigable, and keep the USDA from administering the beef referendum.
The group also voted to make Right to Farm legislation a priority issue during the 2015 Oklahoma legislative session.
Pederson said the resolutions process represents true grassroots development.
“Everyone had a chance to talk about their issue as all of these resolutions surfaced at the county level,” Pederson said.
The next step in the resolution process will occur at the OKFB convention when voting delegates vote on all proposed resolutions.
“Those policies will guide us throughout the coming year,” Pederson said.
