News Stories

In the waning hours of the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers passed legislation that will change how members are selected for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.  SB 965 provides more regional representation on the board. SB 965 transitions representation on the nine-member OWRB – from one representative from each congressional district and four at-large positions, to one representative from nine geographic areas. The three Panhandle counties get one seat, as does Oklahoma County and Tulsa County, as those areas are the biggest water users in the state. The transition begins in 2014 and adds the requirement that one of the board […]

Legislation involving water, animal welfare, agritourism and property rights were all successfully passed with the support of the state’s largest farm organization. “We are extremely pleased with lawmakers passing measures on these critical issues for rural Oklahoma,” said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Leading the way early in the session was the issue of horse processing. Legislators passed HB 1999, which amends the Oklahoma Meat Inspection Act by allowing horses, mules or other equine to be transported, manufactured, processed, packed, sold or prepared in Oklahoma as long as the meat will be sold on the international market. […]

This week, both the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees passed their versions of the new farm bill that protects agricultural producers and consumers. “From the beginning of this farm bill discussion, we have stated our desire for an adequate income safety net with a strong crop insurance program,” said Mike Spradling, president of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.  “Crop insurance is extremely important for us, especially when you consider our variable weather conditions.  We applaud the Senate and House Ag Committees for their swift and responsive actions this week.” The Sand Springs rancher gave special praise to Rep. Frank Lucas […]

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling has been re-elected to serve a one-year term on the Board of Directors for the American Farm Bureau Insurance Services and American Agricultural Insurance Companies.  The election was held May 8 at the companies’ annual stockholders meeting in Chicago. “I am proud and honored to represent Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company on these national boards,” Spradling said. The Oklahoma agricultural producer is entering his seventh year on the national board. Spradling and his family own and operate a cattle and pecan production business headquartered at Sand Springs, Okla. American Farm Bureau Insurance Services […]

Caddo County Farm Bureau leader Karen Krehbiel is the newest member of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s Board of Directors. Krehbiel will serve a four year term and represent district four which consists of 20 counties, mostly in southwest Oklahoma. Krehbiel has more than 20 years of accounting and production experience working on her family farm near Hydro. “I plan to use my experience and knowledge to make the best possible decisions and move forward,” Krehbiel said. Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Mike Spradling noted Krehbiel’s abilities as a Farm Bureau leader will help in her new position. […]

More than $9,400 was raised for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation during a golf tournament at Cimarron National Golf Club, Guthrie, Okla., May 3. The annual fundraiser is sponsored by the OFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee as a way to garner funds and attention to the efforts of the foundation. “This is a great chance to talk about the success of the legal foundation in defending our personal property rights and other issues,” said Mason Bolay, YF&R chairman. Despite the cool, windy weather conditions, 76 golfers participated on 20 teams.  The winning team, sponsored by Alfalfa County Farm […]

A surplus of optimism was obvious among visitors to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau exhibit during the 2013 Oklahoma FFA convention, April 30-May 2, as 84 percent said they’re convinced agriculture has a bright future. When asked to list the challenges facing agriculture today, the top three answers, in order of popularity, were the weather, telling the farm story to the non-farm public and a lack of young farmers and ranchers.  Other answers included attacks on animal agriculture by animal welfare groups, lack of profitability and dwindling natural resources. “It’s encouraging to see the energy and enthusiasm these kids have for […]

During a press conference on May 1 at the FFA Convention, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma recognized members of the Hobart FFA and 4-H for donating livestock and money to the Beef for Backpacks project.     The Hobart youth received a $500 cash award from the Diamond Hats, a group of women leaders dedicated to improving the lives of Oklahoma’s rural youth through the livestock industry.  Each year they provide valuable scholarships for Oklahoma’s youth and this year sponsored a contest for FFA and 4-H groups that accumulated the most points based on animals and […]

State lawmakers received a “taste of the country” April 23 during the annual Oklahoma Farm Bureau Farm City Festival at the Capitol.  The event is sponsored by the OFB Leadership Team, consisting of rural women leaders from throughout the state. The rural leaders use the Capitol’s first floor rotunda area to set out a spread of freshly prepared food, much of it home baked.  There were trays of fresh vegetables, ham, turkey and beef, deviled eggs, fruit, cookies and brownies. “This is a way to say thanks to our legislators for working hard on rural issues,” said Kitty Beavers, Duncan, […]