Oklahoma Farm Bureau is extending its sympathies to the families of two former OKFB state board members and longtime OKFB members, Ervin Mitchell and Charles Sloan, who both recently passed away.
“These two men worked tirelessly to make Oklahoma a better place to live,” said OKFB President Tom Buchanan. “They represented the interests of their areas in Oklahoma for Farm Bureau and many other groups and organizations. While 
they will both be missed, we know their contributions will continue to move our state forward.”
Mitchell was a lifelong Balko resident who farmed with his son and grandson in Beaver County. The family farm produces wheat, corn and grain sorghum, along with some cattle.
Mitchell worked in agriculture for nearly 70 years and served on the state Farm Bureau board of directors for nine years.
Mitchell was honored with OKFB’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture award in November 2015 in recognition of his numerous contributions to agriculture in the state of Oklahoma.
Mitchell served as president of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, president of the National Conservation District for two years, and served 21 years on the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
Sloan farmed near Vian since 1977, producing corn and soybeans along with some vegetable crops.
Sloan was a Farm Bureau member for more than 50 years, and served as Sequoyah County Farm Bureau president for many years.
Sloan served on the state Farm Bureau board of directors for 17 years. He was first elected to the OKFB state board in 1990 and served continuously through 2001 when he termed out. After being out for a term, he was re-elected to the district six director’s position in 2004 and served until 2013.
Sloan was honored with OKFB’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture award in November 2013 in recognition of his 25 years of serving Farm Bureau.
Sloan was also a former Oklahoma Soybean Association president and 
served as a national director of the American Soybean Association. Sloan was also an active member of the Vian Methodist Church.
