More than 40 Oklahoma Farm Bureau members attended the 103rd American Farm Bureau Convention Jan. 7-12 in Atlanta, Georgia where they took part in general sessions, competed in Young Farmers and Ranchers competitive events, set grassroots policies and received national awards.
Members set grassroots policies for 2022
OKFB’s six voting delegates discussed and voted on Farm Bureau members’ grassroots policy proposals to set AFBF’s 2022 policy. Cattle markets, governmental overreach and regulations and labor issues were some of leading issues voted on by members.
Resolutions concerning price discovery and competition in the cattle markets were a highlight for OKFB’s delegates. Farm Bureau members from around the nation voted to oppose government mandates, which would require livestock slaughter facilities to enforce a percentage of cattle be purchased through cash bids.
YF&R members compete in events
Young Farmers and Ranchers members who won OKFB’s 2021 YF&R competitions represented Oklahoma in AFBF’s YF&R competitive events. Okmulgee County Farm Bureau members Will and Leslie Lewis and Tim Taylor competed in the Excellence in Agriculture Award and discussion meet, respectively. River Mitchell, Comanche County Farm Bureau member, competed in the Achievement Award.
OKFB honored for excellence
AFBF awarded OKFB with a New Horizon award for one of the most innovative new Farm Bureau programs and four state awards of excellence.
OKFB earned the New Horizon Award for creating and supporting the Oklahoma Farm Bureau/Oklahoma 4-H ATV in a partnership with Oklahoma State University Extension and Oklahoma 4-H. The facility, located in Guthrie, trains Oklahomans of all ages how to safely operate ATVs through classroom education and a hands-on training course.
The program areas in which OKFB earned awards of excellence include Advocacy, Coalitions & Partnerships, Engagement & Outreach, and Leadership & Business Development.
Members learn and engage
Farm Bureau members heard from AFBF President Zippy Duvall, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Founder and Chairman of Afterburner Jim Murphy, and Comedian Jeff Allen during three convention general sessions. President Joe Biden also addressed members by video.
Members attended breakout sessions covering a variety of agricultural and rural topics such as succession planning, mental health, agricultural economic outlook, recruitment and agriculture policy.
AFBF is set to host the 2023 AFBF Convention Jan. 6-11, 2023, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Learn more at annualconvention.fb.org.
