Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 63rd annual convention truly will be “Agriculture in Action” when nearly 1,000 delegates and guests converge on the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City Nov. 13-15.
Taking care of the business of the state’s largest voluntary farm organization and setting policy to help mold the future of the state and nation will see that this year’s convention lives up to its theme of “Agriculture in Action.”
In addition to setting policy, delegates attending will elect three state directors plus the state’s delegates for the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in January.
Top state awards to counties and individual members also will be presented during the annual meeting and competitions, such as the Discussion Meet, will be held.
An array of top-notch speakers along with some of the state’s top federal lawmakers will be on hand.
American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Administrative Officer Dick Newpher, Miss Oklahoma Elizabeth Kinney and U.S. Senator Jim Infofe will appear during the convention’s opening session.
U.S. Representative Frank Lucas also is scheduled to be on hand for the Oklahoma AgFund reception, which begins at 5 p.m. Nov. 13.
The annual banquet will be held that evening and will feature the multi-talented Jerry Reed. After multiple chart-topping songs, two CMA Awards, three Grammy Awards, a People’s Choice Award and numerous movie roles Reed’s first number one record came with “Amos Moses.”
His other hit recordings included “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot,” “Alabama Wild Man,” “Lord Mr. Ford,” “East Bound and Down,” “The Bird,” “She Got the Goldmine, I Got The Shaft” and many more.
OFB Expo, the official trade show of the 63rd annual convention, is back for 2004. It will host more than 20 vendors from across the state promoting agricultural businesses and associations within the state, along with shopping vendors. OFB Expo will open Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. and will conclude after the awards and recognition program Nov. 14.
Sunday morning will kick off with several breakfasts including the County Presidents breakfast. Presidents from each of the 77 county Farm Bureau’s will gather for food and entertainment. Doug Sauter, OKC Blazers head coach will speak to those attending.
The Nov. 14 morning general session features the annual vespers and memorial service. LaDonna Gatlin, the baby sister of the legendary Gatlin Brothers, will share her message. She is a singer and entertainer and speaks to people’s hearts as well as to their heads.
Prior to the annual vespers service OSU’s 39-member choir, the Concert Chorale will perform.
The afternoon general session that day kicks off with OFB President Steve Kouplen’s annual address and will be followed by the announcement of district caucus election results. Oklahoma’s new U.S. Senator will speak before delegates begin work on resolutions.
An ice cream social will be held that evening, following the awards and recognition program, to raise funds for the Oklahoma gricultural Legal Foundation.
The convention’s final day, Nov. 15, will feature an address by Oklahoma’s new second district U.S. Representative before delegates finish the consideration of resolutions. The annual insurance policyholders meeting also will be held that day.
