Oklahoma Farm Bureau Wraps Up 64th Annual Meeting

 Delegates to Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 64th annual convention set the organization’s policy for 2006, taking strong stands on issues pertaining to eminent domain, energy and farm programs.

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Kelo v. City of New London (Connecticut) fresh on their minds, the delegates from 77 county Farm Bureaus made reform of eminent domain laws a top priority during the Nov. 12-14 meeting in Oklahoma City.

The Supreme Court ruling said state and local governments can take private property for economic development projects, but also said states can enact laws disallowing the taking of private property for economic benefit.

Policy was approved calling for Oklahoma to adopt laws protecting private property owners from the use of eminent domain by government to take property for other private uses.

To better contend with soaring fuel prices, delegates asked for expanded state and federal tax credits to encourage the production of renewable fuels. They also supported creation of alternate fuel plants in Oklahoma, using Oklahoma farm products, for increased production of alternate fuels.

The delegates called for a federal farm program that allows farmers to make a profit while maintaining a healthy environment by using proven conservation practices to produce a safe and abundant supply of food and fiber.

They reinforced the organization’s science-based stance against government, whether state or federal, labeling any individual component of animal waste as a hazardous material. The action came in response to the Oklahoma attorney general’s assault on the state poultry industry and similar unjust attacks in other states against livestock industry segments.

In addition to adopting policy, the delegates elected leaders to serve their organization. Top honors to outstanding farm families and awards recognizing outstanding efforts on behalf of agriculture and Farm Bureau also were handed out.

Beggs rancher Steve Kouplen was unopposed in winning his fourth two-year term as president of the state’s largest farm organization.

Beaver County farmer-rancher Ervin Mitchell was elected to his second three-year term as district one state director with farmer-rancher Bob Drake of Davis also winning a second term as district four director.

Roland Pederson, who farms and ranches near Burlington in Alfalfa County, was seated as district seven state director succeeding Scott Dvorak of Perry, who served nine years on the board and was prohibited by term limit restrictions from serving again.

Pederson and his wife, Terry, also were selected as the organization’s Farm Family of the Year. A panel of judges selected the Pedersons from 19 entries in the annual contest, which honors the farm family who best represents farming and ranching and the spirit of Oklahoma agriculture.

Jackson County’s Matt and Kellie Muller were honored with the YF&R Achievement Award, which recognizes the state’s top young farm family for farming achievements and leadership in the agricultural community.

U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe was honored as the 2005 Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Agriculture recipient. Nellie Fern Nelson, who has devoted 60 years of service to Farm Bureau, was recognized as the 2005 Distinguished Service to Oklahoma Farm Bureau recipient. The pair of awards honors those who have made outstanding contributions to agriculture and Oklahoma Farm Bureau.